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Wharfedale D320 vs ELAC Uni-Fi BS U5 Slim Comparison

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Wharfedale D320

Passive Bookshelf | 56-20k Hz

Wharfedale D320
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ELAC Uni-Fi BS U5 Slim

Passive Bookshelf | 46-25k Hz

ELAC Uni-Fi BS U5 Slim
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Wharfedale D320 Wharfedale D320
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ELAC Uni-Fi BS U5 Slim ELAC Uni-Fi BS U5 Sl...
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Wharfedale D320
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ELAC Uni-Fi BS U5 Sl...
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Wharfedale D320 vs ELAC Uni-Fi BS U5 Slim Speaker Comparison

In this review, we will be comparing D320 and Uni-Fi BS U5 Slim, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from Wharfedale and ELAC.

Let's have a brief look at the main features of Wharfedale D320 and ELAC Uni-Fi BS U5 Slim first before getting into our more detailed comparison.

Wharfedale D320 Key Specs

  • 2-way Design
  • 1" Soft-Dome Tweeter
  • 5" Woven Kevlar Woofer
  • 56-20k Hz Frequency Response
  • 87 dB Sensitivity
  • Impedance: 8ohms
  • Power Range:25-100watts
  • Weight:6.02kg
  • Dimensions (H x W x D): 321.0" x 7-1/8" x 10-7/8"( 321.0 x 181.0 x 277.0mm )

ELAC Uni-Fi BS U5 Slim 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:7.50kg
  • Dimensions (H x W x D): 340.0" x 7-1/16" x 12-7/8"( 340.0 x 180.0 x 328.0mm )

What size room are the Wharfedale D320 and ELAC Uni-Fi BS U5 Slim 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* Wharfedale D320 ELAC Uni-Fi BS U5 Slim
Near-field Average Poor
Small Room Good Average
Mid-size Room Average Good
Large Room Poor Average
Very Large Room Bad 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 Wharfedale D320 and ELAC Uni-Fi BS U5 Slim 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

One of the fundamental differences between these two speakers is that D320 is a 2-way design whereas the Uni-Fi BS U5 Slim is a 3-way speaker. 3-way designs utilize a midrange driver in addition to the tweeter and woofer on 2-way designs. Designing a crossover for a 3-way speaker is a complicated process and generally increases the overall cost of the speaker.

Driver Wharfedale D320 ELAC Uni-Fi BS U5 Slim
Driver Setup 2-way 3-way
Tweeter 1-inch 1-inch
Midrange - 1 x 4-inch
Woofer 1 x 5-inch 1 x 5.25-inch

D320 features a 1" Soft-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 5" Woven Kevlar Woofer . On the other hand, the Uni-Fi BS U5 Slim features a 1" soft dome Tweeter , a 4" Midrange and 1 x 5.25" Aluminum Woofer .

Frequency Response

D320 has a frequency range of 56-20k Hz whereas Uni-Fi BS U5 Slim has a frequency range of 46-25k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 46Hz, the Uni-Fi BS U5 Slim can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the D320's min frequency of 56Hz.

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

D320
Uni-Fi BS U5 Slim
Min
Average
Max
High Frequency

Bookshelf Speakers

Wharfedale D320
ELAC Uni-Fi BS U5 Slim
Min
Average
Max

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

D320 is a 8 ohms speaker compared to the Uni-Fi BS U5 Slim 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 BS U5 Slim can provide this impedance level.

These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. D320 sensitivity is rated at 87 dB and the Uni-Fi BS U5 Slim's is rated at 85 dB. This 2 dB difference makes the Wharfedale D320 a more sensitive speaker compared to ELAC Uni-Fi BS U5 Slim, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.

Sensitivity

Bookshelf Speakers

D320
Uni-Fi BS U5 Slim
Min
Average
Max

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.

D320 can handle a max power of 140 watts RMS from the amp the whereas D320 has a max power handling value of 100 watts RMS , 40 watts less than the Uni-Fi BS U5 Slim.

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

D320 features Post type posts and Uni-Fi BS U5 Slim has a Post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.

Wharfedale D320 Terminals
Wharfedale D320's Post terminals

ELAC Uni-Fi BS U5 SlimPost Terminals
ELAC Uni-Fi BS U5 Slim's Post terminals

Cabinet Type and Port Position

D320 has a bottom firing port whereas Uni-Fi BS U5 Slim has a rear firing ports. Wharfedale D320's bottom-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 Wharfedale D320's and ELAC Uni-Fi BS U5 Slim's external dimensions. Wharfedale D320 has external dimensions of 321.0 x 181.0 x 277.0mm ( 12-5/8 x 7-1/8 x 10-7/8inch) whereas 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) .

Wharfedale D320 is 19mm shorter and 51mm less deeper than ELAC Uni-Fi BS U5 Slim but it is also 1mm wider.

Below you can see the front view size comparison of Wharfedale D320 and ELAC Uni-Fi BS U5 Slim in scale.

Wharfedale D320 vs ELAC Uni-Fi BS U5 Slim Size Comparison - Front View
Comparison image of Wharfedale D320 and ELAC Uni-Fi BS U5 Slim Size and External Dimensions

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 Wharfedale D320 is approximately 501.4cm2 / 77.7inch2 and base area of the ELAC Uni-Fi BS U5 Slim is approximately 590.4cm2 / 91.5inch2. The D320 requires 15% less surface area than the Uni-Fi BS U5 Slim which gives it a small advantage on placement in tight spaces.

Here is an another comparison that shows both speakers on a BDI Octave Media Cabinet, next to a standard size amplifier and turntable in scale:

Wharfedale D320 vs ELAC Uni-Fi BS U5 Slim Size Comparison on a Media Console
Size Comparison image of Wharfedale D320 and ELAC Uni-Fi BS U5 Slim on a Media Console
Weight Comparison

The weight of a loudspeaker can become an important factor if you need to move and reposition the unit often. Weight of a speaker can also "sometimes" be an indicator of the rigidity of the enclosure and the quality of the internal components used. The Wharfedale D320 weighs 6.02kg / 13.2lbs and the ELAC Uni-Fi BS U5 Slim weighs 7.50kg / 16.5lbs. This makes the Uni-Fi BS U5 Slim 25% heavier than the D320.

Here is a comparison of how D320 and Uni-Fi BS U5 Slim's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Bookshelf class.

Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
Wharfedale D320
ELAC Uni-Fi BS U5 Slim
Min
Average
Max

What's in the Box of Wharfedale D320?

Here are the items that are included inside the box of D320:
  • 2 Bookshelf loudspeakers
  • 2 Tweeter grilles (pre-installed)
  • 2 Woofer grilles (pre-installed)
  • User-feets Manual
  • Installation Guide
  • What's in the Box of ELAC Uni-Fi BS U5 Slim?

    Here are the items that come with the Uni-Fi BS U5 Slim:
  • 2 Bookshelf loudspeakers
  • 2 Grilles
  • Operating Instructions

  • Reasons to choose Wharfedale D320 over ELAC Uni-Fi BS U5 Slim
    Sensitivity 87 dB vs 85 dB Play louder with same amount of amplification power
    Nominal Impedance 8 ohms vs 4 ohms Less selective with amplifiers
    Height 321mm vs 340mm Easier to fit in smaller spaces
    Base Surface Area 501cm2 vs 590cm2 Takes less floor space
    Price per pair* 249USD vs 735USD costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time)

    Reasons to choose ELAC Uni-Fi BS U5 Slim over Wharfedale D320

    Max Input Power 140 watts vs 100 watts Handle more power from your amplifier
    Driver Setup 3-way vs 2-way Have a dedicated mid-range driver
    Woofer Size 5.25 inches vs 5 inches Larger woofer
    Low Frequency Response 46 Hz vs 56 Hz Generates deeper bass
    High Frequency Response 25k Hz vs 20k Hz Generates higher frequency
    Wharfedale D320 vs ELAC Uni-Fi BS U5 Slim Specs Table
    Detailed comparison of specifications
    General Wharfedale D320 ELAC Uni-Fi BS U5 Slim
    Brand Wharfedale ELAC
    Speaker Type Bookshelf speakers Bookshelf speakers
    Power Range 25-100 watts 40-140 watts
    Sensitivity 87 dB 85 dB
    Impedance 8 ohms 4 ohms
    Impedance 3.8 ohms n/a
    Frequency Response 56-20k Hz 46-25k Hz
    Drivers
    Woofer Quantity 1 1
    Woofer Size 5" 5.25"
    Woofer Composition Woven Kevlar Aluminum
    Woofer Surround Material Foamed Polyether Rubber
    Tweeter Size 1" 1"
    Tweeter Type Soft-Dome soft dome
    Aimable Tweeter No No
    Midrange Driver No 4"
    Firing Direction bottom rear
    Physical Specs
    Height 321.0mm (12.6") 340.0mm (13.4")
    Width 181.0mm (7.1") 180.0mm (7.1")
    Depth 277.0mm (10.9") 328.0mm (12.9")
    Weight 6.02kg (13.2lbs) 7.50kg (16.5lbs)
    Enclosure Bass Reflex Bass Reflex
    Finish MDF/Wood-grain vinyl MDF/Vinyl
    Available Colors Rosewood, Black, White, Walnut Black
    Mounting Bracket No No
    Recommended Stand Height 22-24" 24-31"
    Grille Yes Yes
    Moisture Resistancy No No
    Connections
    Biamp Inputs No No
    Other
    Parts Warranty 5 Years 3 Years
    Labor Warranty 5 Years 3 Years

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