Short answer: the ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UB52 for better sound quality, the Klipsch R-41M for the lower price. The ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UB52 ranks #67 of 87 bookshelf speakers at $599. The Klipsch R-41M ranks #85 at $149, $450 cheaper.
What the ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UB52 offers: 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. Watch for: 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.
What the Klipsch R-41M offers: Binding posts are unusually nice for the price point, and impedance is well controlled in the bass, easing the load on the amplifier. The horn-loaded tweeter can play loud without strain. Watch for: CEA2034 spinorama shows a sharp, prominent peak around 1kHz that the reviewer compared to “Pinocchio’s nose,” plus poor directivity that makes the off-axis sound diverge sharply from on-axis. Sensitivity is only 85dB through most of the music-energy range despite Klipsch’s horn-loaded reputation for efficiency. In an A/B against a $118/pair Pioneer SP-BS22-LR, the R-41M had “no bass” and all mid-to-treble energy; the reviewer’s verdict was “please avoid the Klipsch R-41M unless you just want a speaker as an ornament.”
Buy the ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UB52 if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Klipsch R-41M if the price matters more than sound quality.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip both of these and look higher up the 87 bookshelf speakers instead.
Specifications Side By Side
| ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UB52 | Klipsch R-41M | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $599.00 | $149.00 |
| Ranked | #67 of 87 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers | #85 of 87 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Crossover Frequency | 200Hz / 2000Hz | - |
| Dimensions | 13.6"H x 7.3"W x 10.8"D (346 x 185 x 275 mm) | 11.3H x 5.75W x 7.9D in |
| Impedance | 6 ohms | 8 ohms nominal (per spec; measured lower) |
| Sensitivity | 83.3dB (measured by Audio Science Review; 85dB manufacturer specified) | 85dB (2.83V/1m, measured) |
| Drivers | 5.25" aluminum woofer, 4" aluminum midrange, 1" soft dome tweeter | 4" spun-copper IMG woofer, 1" Tractrix horn-loaded aluminum dome tweeter |
| Power Handling | 140W max | 50W RMS / 200W peak |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported | ported, rear |
| Weight | 7.7 lbs / 3.5 kg | 7 lbs / 3.18 kg each |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 55.7Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 80Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 38.6Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 55Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Frequency Response | - | 68Hz - 21kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
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- KEF Q100 vs Fluance Signature HFS
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- Pioneer SP-BS22-LR (Philharmonic AAM Mod) vs KEF Q100
- Wharfedale Diamond 12.1 vs Klipsch R-41M
- ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UB52 vs Micca RB42
Prices on this page were last checked August 25, 2026 at 6:19 AM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Speakers In Full
ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UB52: $599.00 Amazon eBay
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 (-10dB) | 38.6Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
|---|---|
| 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 |
- 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 Micca RB42
- ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UB52 vs Pioneer SP-BS22-LR (Philharmonic AAM Mod)
- ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UB52 vs Q Acoustics 5020
- ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UB52 vs Dynaudio X14
- See all 41 comparisons
Klipsch R-41M: $149.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: Binding posts are unusually nice for the price point, and impedance is well controlled in the bass, easing the load on the amplifier. The horn-loaded tweeter can play loud without strain.
Cons: CEA2034 spinorama shows a sharp, prominent peak around 1kHz that the reviewer compared to “Pinocchio’s nose,” plus poor directivity that makes the off-axis sound diverge sharply from on-axis. Sensitivity is only 85dB through most of the music-energy range despite Klipsch’s horn-loaded reputation for efficiency. In an A/B against a $118/pair Pioneer SP-BS22-LR, the R-41M had “no bass” and all mid-to-treble energy; the reviewer’s verdict was “please avoid the Klipsch R-41M unless you just want a speaker as an ornament.”
Full Klipsch R-41M review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 55Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 80Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Dimensions | 11.3H x 5.75W x 7.9D in |
| Drivers | 4" spun-copper IMG woofer, 1" Tractrix horn-loaded aluminum dome tweeter |
| Frequency Response | 68Hz - 21kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal (per spec; measured lower) |
| Power Handling | 50W RMS / 200W peak |
| Sensitivity | 85dB (2.83V/1m, measured) |
| Weight | 7 lbs / 3.18 kg each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Klipsch R-41M vs PMC twenty.21
- Klipsch R-41M vs Pioneer Elite SP-EBS73-LR
- Klipsch R-41M vs Definitive Technology ProMonitor 1000
- Klipsch R-41M vs Polk T15
- Klipsch R-41M vs JBL Control 1 Pro
- Klipsch R-41M vs Fluance Signature HFS
- Klipsch R-41M vs JBL Stage A130
- Klipsch R-41M vs Q Acoustics 5020
- See all 22 comparisons