Short answer: the Dayton Audio OPAL1. It ranks #59 of 179 bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 3.6/5, at $1,038.99. The ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UB52 ranks #144, rated 2.4/5, at $799, $239.99 cheaper, not enough of a saving to outweigh the sound-quality gap.
The Dayton Audio OPAL1 is the better-sounding choice. Bookshelf speakers with twin rear passive radiators for deep bass that can sit close to a wall without booming. The tradeoff: Measured average sensitivity is notably low at about 75.7dB (well under the 78dB spec) due to a nearly 3dB dip through the midrange, and the reviewer needed serious amplification (monoblock power amps, not just a compact streaming amp) to drive them to real listening levels for bass testing.
What the ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UB52 does well: A three-way bookshelf speaker with wide, smooth dispersion and more listening-height leeway than most. The tradeoff: Dipped 3db from 1.5-3kHz.
Buy the Dayton Audio OPAL1. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $239.99 you would save on the ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UB52 does not close the gap.
Still deciding? The full Passive Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Measured Differences
- Bass depth: the Dayton Audio OPAL1 reaches 30 Hz (10 dB down) against 38.6 Hz for the ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UB52, about half an octave deeper. You hear more of the lowest bass notes and kick drums.
- Efficiency: the ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UB52 is rated at 83.3 dB sensitivity against 75.7 dB for the Dayton Audio OPAL1, so it plays as loud with roughly a third of the amplifier power.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Dayton Audio OPAL1 | ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UB52 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,038.99 per pair | $799.00 per pair |
| Ranked | #59 of 179 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers | #144 of 179 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 30Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 38.6Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 55Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 55.7Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Drivers | 5.25” mid-woofer, 1” dome tweeter, dual rear passive radiators | 5.25” aluminum woofer, 4” aluminum midrange, 1” soft dome tweeter |
| Sensitivity | 75.7dB (measured by Erin’s Audio Corner; 78dB manufacturer specified) | 83.3dB (measured by Audio Science Review; 85dB manufacturer specified) |
| Woofer Cabinet | passive radiator, rear (dual) | ported |
| Dimensions | 14”H x 7”W x 9.5”D | 13.6”H x 7.3”W x 10.8”D (346 x 185 x 275 mm) |
| Weight | 20.7 lbs (9.4 kg) each | 7.7 lbs (3.5 kg) |
| Frequency Response | 32Hz - 20kHz (-3dB, half-space, manufacturer specified) | - |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal (4.3 ohms minimum @ 4.4kHz, measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 6 ohms |
| Power Handling | 200W RMS (75-200W recommended amplifier power) | 140W max |
| Crossover Frequency | 2,200Hz | 200Hz / 2000Hz |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.08 | 5.32 (spinorama.org) |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.58 | 7.34 (spinorama.org) |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
Where the Ratings Come From
- Dayton Audio OPAL1: Spinorama.org measurements and reviews by Erin’s Audio Corner.
- ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UB52: Spinorama.org measurements and reviews by Audio Science Review.
This comparison is generated from the ratings, specifications and measurements on each product’s own page, and it updates when that data changes. How we rank explains how each rating is decided.
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