Short answer: the Dayton Audio OPAL1 for better sound quality, the ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UB52 for the lower price. The Dayton Audio OPAL1 ranks #16 of 34 bookshelf speakers at $1038.99. The ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UB52 ranks #28 at $599, $439.99 cheaper.
What the Dayton Audio OPAL1 offers: A 2-way bookshelf speaker with a 5.25” mid-woofer (large surround) and a 1” dome tweeter, plus two passive radiators on the rear panel. Watch for: 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…
What the ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UB52 offers: Wide, smooth horizontal directivity - beamwidth holds to about ±60 degrees up to 8kHz before narrowing. Watch for: Dipped 3db from 1.5-3khz.
Buy the Dayton Audio OPAL1 if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UB52 if the price matters more than sound quality.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip the ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UB52. It ranks near the bottom of the 34 bookshelf speakers, so look higher up the list instead.
Specifications Side By Side
| Dayton Audio OPAL1 | ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UB52 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,038.99 | $599.00 |
| Ranked | #16 of 34 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers | #28 of 34 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 30Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | - |
| 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 | 20.8 lbs 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 |
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The Two Speakers In Full
Dayton Audio OPAL1: $1,038.99 Dayton Audio
Pros: A 2-way bookshelf speaker with a 5.25” mid-woofer (large surround) and a 1” dome tweeter, plus two passive radiators on the rear panel. A bass shelf in its response lets it sit closer to a wall than many speakers without sounding overly boomy, a similar design trait to the KEF R3 Meta. Measured F3 of about 55Hz and F10 of about 30Hz. Harmonic distortion is good for a 5.25” mid-woofer at both 86dB and 96dB output, and dynamic range/compression is reasonably well controlled up to about 96dB. Horizontal radiation of about ±60° lands right in the reviewer’s personally preferred range for soundstage width. On-axis, the sound is a little forward-leaning rather than dull, and EQ can bring back midrange fullness and a bigger sense of image spread if the stock tuning’s slightly recessed midrange isn’t to your taste.
Cons: 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. On-axis response is within only about ±3dB (a 6dB window) - not very linear - with a mid-range scoop and a bump around 1kHz that makes the sound a bit forward and less full than a neutral reference; EQ can address most of this but makes the image slightly more diffuse in exchange for added fullness. A roughly one-octave-wide diffraction dip between 3-5kHz can’t be corrected with EQ, since boosting it raises reflected energy in a band that’s already elevated off-axis. Top end rolls off fairly quickly above about 10kHz on-axis, and toeing the speakers out more than about 10° loses noticeable air and cymbal/hi-hat detail - best kept close to on-axis. Multitone distortion jumps substantially between 87dB and 96dB SPL/1m, so headroom for loud listening is limited. Vertical window is tight at about ±20°.
Full Dayton Audio OPAL1 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 30Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 55Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Crossover Frequency | 2,200Hz |
| Dimensions | 14"H x 7"W x 9.5"D |
| Drivers | 5.25" mid-woofer, 1" dome tweeter, dual rear passive radiators |
| Frequency Response | 32Hz - 20kHz (-3dB, half-space, manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal (4.3 ohms minimum @ 4.4kHz, measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Power Handling | 200W RMS (75-200W recommended amplifier power) |
| Sensitivity | 75.7dB (measured by Erin's Audio Corner; 78dB manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 20.8 lbs each |
| Woofer Cabinet | passive radiator, rear (dual) |
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ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UB52: $599.00 Amazon
Pros: Wide, smooth horizontal directivity - beamwidth holds to about ±60 degrees up to 8kHz before narrowing. Vertical directivity is substantially better than average, giving more listening-height leeway than most two-way bookshelf speakers.
Cons: Dipped 3db from 1.5-3khz. On-axis response shelves down above 1.5kHz along with multiple resonances, leading the reviewer to predict it will “likely sound dull.” Nasty resonance at 600hz - audible as an actual buzzing artifact on some recordings (the reviewer demonstrated it with an Eva Cassidy track), and it shows up as a sharp distortion spike exceeding 4% at 585Hz when driven to 96dB SPL/1m. Not recommended.
Full ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UB52 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 55.7Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
|---|---|
| Crossover Frequency | 200Hz / 2000Hz |
| Dimensions | 13.6"H x 7.3"W x 10.8"D (346 x 185 x 275 mm) |
| Drivers | 5.25" aluminum woofer, 4" aluminum midrange, 1" soft dome tweeter |
| Impedance | 6 ohms |
| Power Handling | 140W max |
| Sensitivity | 83.3dB (measured by Audio Science Review; 85dB manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 7.7 lbs / 3.5 kg |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons