In this review, we will be comparing two different type of speakers by ELAC. ELAC Uni-Fi BS U5 Slim is a Bookshelf speaker whereas the ni-Fi 2.0 UC52 is a Center Channel speaker.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of ELAC Uni-Fi BS U5 Slim and ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UC52 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
Uni-Fi BS U5 Slim and ni-Fi 2.0 UC52 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 BS U5 Slim and ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UC52 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:
In the following sections, we will get into more detail in order to better understand how the ELAC Uni-Fi BS U5 Slim and ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UC52 compare and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one of these loudspeakers is the better choice for you.
**This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking
through my links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Drivers
Both Uni-Fi BS U5 Slim and ni-Fi 2.0 UC52 are 3-way speakers.
Driver |
ELAC Uni-Fi BS U5 Slim |
ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UC52 |
Driver Setup
|
3-way
|
3-way
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
Midrange
|
1 x 4-inch |
1 x 4-inch |
Woofer
|
1 x 5.25-inch
|
2 x 5.25-inch
|
Uni-Fi BS U5 Slim features a 1" soft dome Tweeter , a 4" Midrange and 1 x 5.25" Aluminum Woofer . On the other hand, the 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.
Frequency Response
Uni-Fi BS U5 Slim has a frequency range of 46-25k Hz whereas ni-Fi 2.0 UC52 has a frequency range of 48-35k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 46Hz, the Uni-Fi BS U5 Slim 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 Bookshelf class in our database.
Low Frequency
Bookshelf Speakers
High Frequency
Bookshelf 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
Uni-Fi BS U5 Slim is a 4 ohms speaker compared to the ni-Fi 2.0 UC52 which has a nominal impedance of 6 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 BS U5 Slim can provide this impedance level.
On the other hand, they have the same sensitivity of 85 dBdB.
Sensitivity
Bookshelf 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.
Uni-Fi BS U5 Slim and ni-Fi 2.0 UC52 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
Uni-Fi BS U5 Slim features 5-Way post type posts and ni-Fi 2.0 UC52 has a 5-Way post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Uni-Fi BS U5 Slim has a rear firing port whereas ni-Fi 2.0 UC52 has a front 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 BS U5 Slim 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 BS U5 Slim's and ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UC52's external dimensions. ELAC Uni-Fi BS U5 Slim has external dimensions of 340.0 x 180.0 x 328.0mm ( 13-3/8 x 7-1/16 x 12-7/8inch) whereas 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) .
ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UC52 is 154mm shorter and 34mm less deeper than ELAC Uni-Fi BS U5 Slim but it is also 365mm wider.
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 BS U5 Slim is approximately 590.4cm2 / 91.5inch2 and base area of the ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UC52 is approximately 1602.3cm2 / 248.4inch2. The Uni-Fi BS U5 Slim requires 63% less surface area than the ni-Fi 2.0 UC52 which gives it a small advantage on placement in tight spaces.
What's in the Box of ELAC Uni-Fi BS U5 Slim?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Uni-Fi BS U5 Slim:
2 Bookshelf loudspeakers 2 Grilles Operating Instructions
What's in the Box of ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UC52?
Here are the items that come with the ni-Fi 2.0 UC52:
Center channel loudspeakerGrilleOperating Instructions