In this review, we will be comparing two different types 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.
| Key Specs | ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UC52 | ELAC Uni-Fi UB5 |
|---|
| Design | 3-way | 3-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" soft dome | 1" Soft-dome |
|---|
| Midrange | 4" | 4" |
|---|
| Woofer | 2 x 5.25" dished aluminum | 5.25" Aluminum |
|---|
| Frequency response | 48-35k Hz | 46-25k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 85 dB | 85 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 6 ohms | 4 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 40-140 watts | 40-140 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 11.70kg / 25.7lbs | 7.48kg / 16.5lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 7-5/16" x 21-7/16" x 11-9/16"
186.0 x 545.0 x 294.0mm | 12.7" 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.)
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
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Drivers
Both ni-Fi 2.0 UC52 and Uni-Fi UB5 are 3-way speakers.
ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UC52ELAC Uni-Fi UB5
TweeterMidrangeWoofer
Front view, drawn to scale - cabinets and drivers share one scale, so sizes are directly comparable. Hover a driver for its size.
| 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.
The graph below depicts how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average Low Frequency values of other speakers in the Center Channel class in our database.
Low Frequency
Center Channel Speakers
Neither pair reaches down to 20Hz, the usual definition of full-range, which is normal for speakers of this size. If you want the bottom octave for movies or bass-heavy music, add a subwoofer to whichever you choose. 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. Staying
within that range gives nominal performance; driving the speaker beyond its maximum wattage can damage it.
ni-Fi 2.0 UC52 and Uni-Fi UB5 have the same power range of 40-140 watts.
Note that higher power handling does not make a speaker louder: that depends mainly on
sensitivity and impedance. The calculator below shows how loud each of these actually plays
on a real amplifier.
Which plays louder on your amplifier?
Starting with a popular amplifier — change it to the one you own, or any you are
considering, and watch both numbers move.
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
The size of a speaker can sometimes be 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 loudspeaker
- Grille
- Operating 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