In this review, we will be comparing two different type of speakers by ELAC. ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UC52 is a Center Channel speaker whereas the Uni-Fi UB5 is a Bookshelf speaker.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UC52 and ELAC Uni-Fi UB5 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UC52 Key Specs
- 3-way Design
- 1" soft dome Tweeter
- 4" Midrange
- 2 x 5.25" dished aluminum Woofer
- 48-35k Hz Frequency Response
- 85 dB Sensitivity
- Impedance: 6ohms
- Power Range:40-140watts
- Weight:11.70kg
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 186.0" x 21-7/16" x 11-9/16"( 186.0 x 545.0 x 294.0mm )
ELAC Uni-Fi UB5 Key Specs
- 3-way Design
- 1" Soft-dome Tweeter
- 4" Midrange
- 5.25" Aluminum Woofer
- 4" Midrange
- 46-25k Hz Frequency Response
- 85 dB Sensitivity
- Impedance: 4ohms
- Power Range:40-140watts
- Weight:7.48kg
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 324.0" x 7.8" x 10.7"( 324.0 x 200.0 x 273.0mm )
ni-Fi 2.0 UC52 and Uni-Fi UB5 are members of ELAC's Uni-Fi series of speakers. Below you can find the loudspeakers from this series.
ELAC Uni-Fi Series History
What size room are the ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UC52 and ELAC Uni-Fi UB5 speakers good for?
The size of the room in which you are planning to use these loudspeakers is an important decision factor. Here we have compared their suitability to various sizes of environments considering their size and max power parameters:
| Listening Environment* |
ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UC52 |
ELAC Uni-Fi UB5 |
| Near-field |
Poor |
Poor |
| Small Room |
Average |
Average |
| Mid-size Room |
Good |
Good |
| Large Room |
Average |
Average |
| Very Large Room |
Poor |
Poor |
(* Approximate Room sizes: Small < 100sq. ft / 9 m2, Mid-size: 100-220 sq. ft / 9-20 m2, Large 220-400 sq. ft / 20-36 m2, Very Large: > 400 sq. ft / 36 m2.
Average Floor Height: 9" / 2.7m. Typical room sizes differ from country to country, and the actual listening experience changes depending on floor height, room shape, surface materials, listening position, speaker locations, etc.)
In the following sections, we will get into more detail in order to better understand how the ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UC52 and ELAC Uni-Fi UB5 compare and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one of these loudspeakers is the better choice for you.
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Drivers
Both ni-Fi 2.0 UC52 and Uni-Fi UB5 are 3-way speakers.
| Driver |
ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UC52 |
ELAC Uni-Fi UB5 |
|
Driver Setup
|
3-way
|
3-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
1 x 4-inch |
1 x 4-inch |
|
Woofer
|
2 x 5.25-inch
|
1 x 5.25-inch
|
ni-Fi 2.0 UC52 features a 1" soft dome Tweeter , a 4" Midrange and 2 x 5.25" dished aluminum Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 200hZ and 2000HZ. On the other hand, the Uni-Fi UB5 features a 1" Soft-dome Tweeter , a 4" Midrange and 1 x 5.25" Aluminum Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 270Hz and 2700Hz.
Frequency Response
ni-Fi 2.0 UC52 has a frequency range of 48-35k Hz whereas Uni-Fi UB5 has a frequency range of 46-25k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 46Hz, the Uni-Fi UB5 can go slightly deeper then the ni-Fi 2.0 UC52's min frequency of 48Hz.
Below graphs depict how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average values of the Min and Max Frequencies of other speakers in the Center Channel class in our database.
Low Frequency
Center Channel Speakers
High Frequency
Center Channel Speakers
None of these speakers achieves full range experience which is commonly agreed as 20Hz-20kHz. In order to achieve lower lows / deeper bass, we recommend you pair these with a subwoofer. Visit our Powered Subwoofers section to find out more about the available options.
Impedance and Sensitivity
ni-Fi 2.0 UC52 is a 6 ohms speaker compared to the Uni-Fi UB5 which has a nominal impedance of 4 ohms. Lower impedance speakers, especially the ones that are rated at 4 ohms may put more pressure on the amplifier unit especially when played at high volume levels, so make sure the amp you pair with the Uni-Fi UB5 can provide this impedance level.
On the other hand, they have the same sensitivity of 85 dBdB.
Sensitivity
Center Channel Speakers
Power Range
Power
range is the range of input power in watts RMS that a loudspeaker is designed to handle. While using an amplifier within this range ensures the nominal performance , inputting a power that is higher than the max wattage can result in a damaged speaker.
ni-Fi 2.0 UC52 and Uni-Fi UB5 has the same power range of 40-140 watts.
Keep in mind that a higher max power handling value doesn't necessarily make that a louder speaker
compared to a lower max handling speaker. Loudness or the sound level is also impacted by parameters
such as Impedance, sensitivity and system efficiencies.
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
ni-Fi 2.0 UC52 features Post type posts and Uni-Fi UB5 has a Post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UC52's 5-Way post terminals
ELAC Uni-Fi UB5's Post terminals
Cabinet Type and Port Position
ni-Fi 2.0 UC52 has a front firing port whereas Uni-Fi UB5 has a rear firing ports. ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UC52's front-firing port gives more flexibility in placement in regards to proximity to walls compared to ELAC Uni-Fi UB5 with its rear-firing port.
Physical Specs
Size of a speaker can sometimes become an important decision factor due to space constraints or in some cases purely for esthetic reasons. In this section, we are going to compare ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UC52's and ELAC Uni-Fi UB5's external dimensions. ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UC52 has external dimensions of 186.0 x 545.0 x 294.0mm ( 7-5/16 x 21-7/16 x 11-9/16inch) whereas ELAC Uni-Fi UB5 has external dimensions of 324.0 x 200.0 x 273.0mm ( 12.7 x 7.8 x 10.7inch) .
ELAC Uni-Fi UB5 is 345mm narrower and 21mm less deeper than ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UC52 but it is also 138mm taller.
Base Surface Area Comparison
Base surface area of a loudspeaker may become a determining factor when the space in your room or desk is limited.
The base surface area of the ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UC52 is approximately 1602.3cm2 / 248.4inch2 and base area of the ELAC Uni-Fi UB5 is approximately 546.0cm2 / 84.6inch2. The ni-Fi 2.0 UC52 requires 193% more surface area than the Uni-Fi UB5 which gives it a small disadvantage on placement in tight spaces.
What's in the Box of ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UC52?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of ni-Fi 2.0 UC52:
Center channel loudspeakerGrilleOperating Instructions
What's in the Box of ELAC Uni-Fi UB5?
Here are the items that come with the Uni-Fi UB5:
2 Bookshelf loudspeakers 2 Grilles Operating Instructions
Nominal Impedance 
Number of Woofers 
High Frequency Response 
Port Position 
Height 
Base Surface Area