SpeakerDecision
  • SPEAKERS by TYPE
    • Passive Bookshelf Speakers
    • Passive Floor-standing Speakers
    • Passive Center Channel Speakers
    • Passive In-wall Speakers
    • All Passive Speakers
    • Powered Subwoofers
    • Powered Stereo Speakers
  • AMPLIFIERS
  • SMART FIND

Wharfedale EVO4.1 vs ELAC Uni-Fi UB5 Comparison

x
Speaker to replace
Change

Wharfedale EVO4.1

Passive Bookshelf | 64-22k Hz

Wharfedale EVO4.1
CHECK PRICE
Change
    
ELAC Uni-Fi UB5

Passive Bookshelf | 46-25k Hz

ELAC Uni-Fi UB5
CHECK PRICE
Wharfedale EVO4.1 Wharfedale EVO4.1
See at AMAZON
ELAC Uni-Fi UB5 ELAC Uni-Fi UB5
See at AMAZON
Wharfedale EVO4.1
See at AMAZON
ELAC Uni-Fi UB5
See at AMAZON
Wharfedale EVO4.1 vs ELAC Uni-Fi UB5 Speaker Comparison

In this review, we will be comparing EVO4.1 and Uni-Fi UB5, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from Wharfedale and ELAC.

Let's have a brief look at the main features of Wharfedale EVO4.1 and ELAC Uni-Fi UB5 first before getting into our more detailed comparison.

Wharfedale EVO4.1 Key Specs

  • 2-way Design
  • 1.18x2.36" AMT (Ribbon) Tweeter
  • 5" Kevlar Woofer
  • 64-22k Hz Frequency Response
  • 87 dB Sensitivity
  • Impedance: 8ohms
  • Power Range:25-100watts
  • Weight:7.80kg
  • Dimensions (H x W x D): 335.0" x 8.2" x 11.6"( 335.0 x 210.0 x 295.0mm )

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 )

What size room are the Wharfedale EVO4.1 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* Wharfedale EVO4.1 ELAC Uni-Fi UB5
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 EVO4.1 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.


**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 EVO4.1 is a 2-way design whereas the Uni-Fi UB5 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 EVO4.1 ELAC Uni-Fi UB5
Driver Setup 2-way 3-way
Tweeter 1.18x2.36-inch 1-inch
Midrange - 1 x 4-inch
Woofer 1 x 5-inch 1 x 5.25-inch

EVO4.1 features a 1.18x2.36" AMT (Ribbon) Tweeter and 1 x 5" Kevlar Woofer . 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

EVO4.1 has a frequency range of 64-22k 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 significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the EVO4.1's min frequency of 64Hz.

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

EVO4.1
Uni-Fi UB5
Min
Average
Max
High Frequency

Bookshelf Speakers

Wharfedale EVO4.1
ELAC Uni-Fi UB5
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

EVO4.1 is a 8 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.

These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. EVO4.1 sensitivity is rated at 87 dB and the Uni-Fi UB5's is rated at 85 dB. This 2 dB difference makes the Wharfedale EVO4.1 a more sensitive speaker compared to ELAC Uni-Fi UB5, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.

Sensitivity

Bookshelf Speakers

EVO4.1
Uni-Fi UB5
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.

EVO4.1 can handle a max power of 140 watts RMS from the amp the whereas EVO4.1 has a max power handling value of 100 watts RMS , 40 watts less than the Uni-Fi UB5.

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

EVO4.1 features Post posts which make bi-amping or bi-wiring possible. Uni-Fi UB5 has a Post which doesn't feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.

Wharfedale EVO4.1 Terminals
Wharfedale EVO4.1's Post terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring

ELAC Uni-Fi UB5Post Terminals
ELAC Uni-Fi UB5's Post terminals

Cabinet Type and Port Position

EVO4.1 has a bottom firing port whereas Uni-Fi UB5 has a rear firing ports. Wharfedale EVO4.1's bottom-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 Wharfedale EVO4.1's and ELAC Uni-Fi UB5's external dimensions. Wharfedale EVO4.1 has external dimensions of 335.0 x 210.0 x 295.0mm ( 13.1 x 8.2 x 11.6inch) 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) .

Wharfedale EVO4.1 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 10mm wider, 11mm taller and 22mm deeper than ELAC Uni-Fi UB5.

Below you can see the front view size comparison of Wharfedale EVO4.1 and ELAC Uni-Fi UB5 in scale.

Wharfedale EVO4.1 vs ELAC Uni-Fi UB5 Size Comparison - Front View
Comparison image of Wharfedale EVO4.1 and ELAC Uni-Fi UB5 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 EVO4.1 is approximately 619.5cm2 / 96.0inch2 and base area of the ELAC Uni-Fi UB5 is approximately 546.0cm2 / 84.6inch2. The EVO4.1 requires 13% more surface area than the Uni-Fi UB5 which gives it a small disadvantage 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 EVO4.1 vs ELAC Uni-Fi UB5 Size Comparison on a Media Console
Size Comparison image of Wharfedale EVO4.1 and ELAC Uni-Fi UB5 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 EVO4.1 weighs 7.80kg / 17.2lbs and the ELAC Uni-Fi UB5 weighs 7.48kg / 16.5lbs. This makes the EVO4.1 4% heavier than the Uni-Fi UB5.

Here is a comparison of how EVO4.1 and Uni-Fi UB5's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Bookshelf class.

Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
Wharfedale EVO4.1
ELAC Uni-Fi UB5
Min
Average
Max

What's in the Box of Wharfedale EVO4.1?

Here are the items that are included inside the box of EVO4.1:
  • 2 Bookshelf loudspeakers
  • 2 Grilles
  • 4 Jumper-bars (pre-installed)
  • 8 Self-adhesive rubber feet
  • Pair of white cloth gloves
  • User Manual
  • 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

  • Reasons to choose Wharfedale EVO4.1 over ELAC Uni-Fi UB5
    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
    Bi-Amping and Bi-Wiring Yes vs No Allows bi-amping and bi-wiring connections

    Reasons to choose ELAC Uni-Fi UB5 over Wharfedale EVO4.1

    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 64 Hz Generates deeper bass
    High Frequency Response 25k Hz vs 22k Hz Generates higher frequency
    Height 324mm vs 335mm Easier to fit in smaller spaces
    Base Surface Area 546cm2 vs 619cm2 Takes less floor space
    Wharfedale EVO4.1 vs ELAC Uni-Fi UB5 Specs Table
    Detailed comparison of specifications
    General Wharfedale EVO4.1 ELAC Uni-Fi UB5
    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 3.5 ohms n/a
    Frequency Response 64-22k Hz 46-25k Hz
    Drivers
    Woofer Quantity 1 1
    Woofer Size 5" 5.25"
    Woofer Composition Kevlar Aluminum
    Woofer Surround Material Rubber Rubber
    Tweeter Size 1.18x2.36" 1"
    Tweeter Type AMT (Ribbon) Soft-dome
    Aimable Tweeter No No
    Midrange Driver No 4"
    Crossover Frequency n/a 270Hz and 2700Hz
    Firing Direction bottom rear
    Physical Specs
    Height 335.0mm (13.2") 324.0mm (12.8")
    Width 210.0mm (8.3") 200.0mm (7.9")
    Depth 295.0mm (11.6") 273.0mm (10.7")
    Weight 7.80kg (17.2lbs) 7.48kg (16.5lbs)
    Enclosure Bass Reflex Bass Reflex
    Finish MDF/Wood-veneer MDF/Vinyl
    Available Colors Walnut,Black,White Black
    Mounting Bracket No No
    Recommended Stand Height 24-26" 24-31"
    Grille Yes Yes
    Moisture Resistancy No No
    Connections
    Biamp Inputs Yes No
    Other
    Parts Warranty 5 Years 3 Years
    Labor Warranty 5 Years 3 Years

    Most Popular Speakers
    Klipsch Reference R-51M
    Klipsch R-51M
    2-way | 93 dB | 8 ohms
    Wharfedale Elysian 2
    Wharfedale Elysian 2
    3-way | 89 dB | 4 ohms
    ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2
    ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2
    2-way | 87 dB | 6 ohms
    Bowers & Wilkins 606 S2 Anniversary Edition
    B&W 606 S2
    2-way | 88 dB | 8 ohms
    KEF Q150
    KEF Q150
    2-way | 86 dB | 8 ohms
    Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-500M
    Klipsch RP-500M
    2-way | 93 dB | 8 ohms
    Wharfedale EVO4.1
    Wharfedale EVO4.1
    2-way | 87 dB | 8 ohms
    Bowers & Wilkins 606
    B&W 606
    2-way | 88 dB | 8 ohms
    Copyright © 2025 by SpeakerDecision
    About Privacy Contact US Camera Decision

    Report a Correction