Short answer: the ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UB52 for better sound quality, the JBL Stage A130 for the lower price. The ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UB52 ranks #37 of 56 bookshelf speakers at $599. The JBL Stage A130 ranks #44 at $399, $200 cheaper.
What the ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UB52 gets right: Wide, smooth horizontal directivity - beamwidth holds to about ±60 degrees up to 8kHz before narrowing. The catch: Dipped 3db from 1.5-3khz.
What the JBL Stage A130 offers: More constant, better-behaved directivity than the smaller A120 once past the tweeter crossover point, giving a more consistent radiation pattern that likely explains some of its positive reception among other reviewers. Watch for: Still shows the same underlying “Batman”-shaped response pattern as the A120: a bass bump, a midrange dip, a cabinet-resonance peak around 800Hz-1.7kHz (confirmed via accelerometer testing on the cabinet panels).
Buy the ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UB52 if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the JBL Stage A130 if the price matters more than sound quality.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip the JBL Stage A130. It ranks near the bottom of the 56 bookshelf speakers, so look higher up the list instead.
Specifications Side By Side
| ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UB52 | JBL Stage A130 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $599.00 | $399 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #37 of 56 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers | #44 of 56 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Crossover Frequency | 200Hz / 2000Hz | 3.2kHz |
| Dimensions | 13.6"H x 7.3"W x 10.8"D (346 x 185 x 275 mm) | 12.6"H x 7.5"W x 9.1"D (321 x 190 x 230 mm) |
| Impedance | 6 ohms | 6 ohms nominal, about 4.3 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 83.3dB (measured by Audio Science Review; 85dB manufacturer specified) | 85.2dB (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | 5.25" aluminum woofer, 4" aluminum midrange, 1" soft dome tweeter | 5.25" (133mm) polycellulose woofer, 1" (25mm) aluminum dome tweeter |
| Power Handling | 140W max | - |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported | ported |
| Weight | 7.7 lbs / 3.5 kg | 12 lbs / 5.45 kg each |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 55.7Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 66Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Discontinued | - | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 50Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
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The Two Speakers In Full
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 |
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- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UB52 vs KEF Q100
- ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UB52 vs JBL Stage A120
- ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UB52 vs Q Acoustics 3020i
- ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UB52 vs JBL L52 Classic
- ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UB52 vs Pioneer SP-BS22-LR (Philharmonic AAM Mod)
- ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UB52 vs Micca RB42
- ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UB52 vs Q Acoustics 5020
- ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UB52 vs Dynaudio X14
- See all 22 comparisons
JBL Stage A130: $399 Discontinued
Pros: More constant, better-behaved directivity than the smaller A120 once past the tweeter crossover point, giving a more consistent radiation pattern that likely explains some of its positive reception among other reviewers. Distortion at 96dB measures slightly better than a direct competitor (Emotiva Airmotiv B1+) in the low end, though slightly worse at high frequencies. The tweeter itself sounded decent to the reviewer, who considers it a reasonable value at its price point despite other reservations. Wide, well-filled horizontal radiation through the midrange.
Cons: Still shows the same underlying “Batman”-shaped response pattern as the A120: a bass bump, a midrange dip, a cabinet-resonance peak around 800Hz-1.7kHz (confirmed via accelerometer testing on the cabinet panels), and roughly a 5dB treble bump around 10kHz. Does not include a port bung, so sealed-cabinet listening requires DIY stuffing rather than a proper factory solution. The reviewer’s own measurements notably diverge from another well-known publication’s results on this same model, possibly reflecting a running production change, though this couldn’t be confirmed. Overall sound quality struck the reviewer as not a good-sounding speaker despite the more favorable measurements relative to the A120. Output-limited at extreme volumes (102dB), similar to its smaller sibling. Loses to the similarly-priced Emotiva Airmotiv B1+ in overall linearity and neutrality, according to the reviewer’s direct comparison. Discontinued.
Full JBL Stage A130 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 50Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 66Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Crossover Frequency | 3.2kHz |
| Dimensions | 12.6"H x 7.5"W x 9.1"D (321 x 190 x 230 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 5.25" (133mm) polycellulose woofer, 1" (25mm) aluminum dome tweeter |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal, about 4.3 ohms minimum (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 85.2dB (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Weight | 12 lbs / 5.45 kg each |
| 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
- JBL Stage A130 vs Fluance Signature HFS
- JBL Stage A130 vs JBL Control 1 Pro
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- JBL Stage A130 vs Micca RB42
- JBL Stage A130 vs Polk T15
- JBL Stage A130 vs Definitive Technology ProMonitor 1000
- JBL Stage A130 vs Q Acoustics 3020i
- JBL Stage A130 vs KEF Q100
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