Short answer: the ELAC Uni-Fi Reference UBR62. It ranks #41 of 100 bookshelf speakers by sound quality at $1199; the Dynaudio Contour 20i ranks #45 and costs $5750, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the ELAC Uni-Fi Reference UBR62 offers: True three-way stand-mount using a 1-inch tweeter concentrically mounted in a 4-inch aluminum midrange plus a dedicated 6.5-inch aluminum woofer. Watch for: Erin measured very low 83dB/2.83V/1m sensitivity; his 110W Parasound was insufficient for the high-level test and the more powerful HINT 6 was needed.
On the Dynaudio Contour 20i side: Two-way design with a 1.125” Esotar2i silk dome tweeter and a 7” magnesium silicate polymer woofer in a vented enclosure. Set against that: Notably room-dependent: sounds too bright in the lower treble in smaller rooms with close sidewalls, needing sidewall absorption to sound neutral.
Buy the ELAC Uni-Fi Reference UBR62. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Dynaudio Contour 20i and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
Specifications Side By Side
| ELAC Uni-Fi Reference UBR62 | Dynaudio Contour 20i | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,199/pair | $5750 |
| Ranked | #41 of 100 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #45 of 100 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension | 41Hz manufacturer specified; Erin’s response-linearity graph shows limited high-output bass headroom | - |
| Sensitivity | 83dB/2.83V/1m (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 82.5dB |
| Impedance | 4 ohms minimum near 50Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 4 ohms |
| Drivers | 1" tweeter coaxial with 4" midrange; 6.5" woofer | 18 cm MSP woofer, 28mm Esotar 2i with Hexis tweeter |
| Dimensions | 14.1"H x 8.2"W x 13.1"D | 17.4"H x 8.5"W x 14.2"D (442 x 215.9 x 360.7 mm) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, dual front slot vents | ported, rear |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 32Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | - | 56Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Weight | - | 30.9 lbs / 14 kg each |
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The Two Speakers In Full
ELAC Uni-Fi Reference UBR62: $1,199/pair Amazon
Pros: True three-way stand-mount using a 1-inch tweeter concentrically mounted in a 4-inch aluminum midrange plus a dedicated 6.5-inch aluminum woofer. Erin found the directivity and overall tonality well controlled, with dual front slot vents minimizing placement sensitivity and cabinet bracing suppressing obvious coloration. The mostly 5-ohm-or-higher load is manageable for a genuinely 4-ohm-capable amplifier, and the coherent concentric upper range supports stable imaging across seats.
Cons: Erin measured very low 83dB/2.83V/1m sensitivity; his 110W Parasound was insufficient for the high-level test and the more powerful HINT 6 was needed. Impedance reaches 4 ohms near 50Hz (Erin), while woofer excursion and bass output were less capable than expected for the cabinet size. A broad 500-700Hz rise and associated lower/female-vocal coloration were audible, and the slightly subdued listening-window treble is necessary to avoid an overly bright in-room balance rather than evidence of ruler-flat axial tuning.
Full ELAC Uni-Fi Reference UBR62 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension | 41Hz manufacturer specified; Erin's response-linearity graph shows limited high-output bass headroom |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 14.1"H x 8.2"W x 13.1"D |
| Drivers | 1" tweeter coaxial with 4" midrange; 6.5" woofer |
| Impedance | 4 ohms minimum near 50Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 83dB/2.83V/1m (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, dual front slot vents |
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- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- ELAC Uni-Fi Reference UBR62 vs ELAC DBR62
- ELAC Uni-Fi Reference UBR62 vs Power Sound Audio MT-110-M
- ELAC Uni-Fi Reference UBR62 vs Yamaha NS-800A
- ELAC Uni-Fi Reference UBR62 vs Definitive Technology Demand D11
- ELAC Uni-Fi Reference UBR62 vs Revel Concerta2 M16
- ELAC Uni-Fi Reference UBR62 vs SVS Ultra Bookshelf
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- See all 10 comparisons
Dynaudio Contour 20i: $5750 Safeandsoundhq
Pros: Two-way design with a 1.125” Esotar2i silk dome tweeter and a 7” magnesium silicate polymer woofer in a vented enclosure. A shallow bass rolloff profile lets it sit closer to a wall (about 1-2 feet worked best in testing) without becoming boomy, and makes subwoofer integration comparatively easy. Very wide horizontal radiation (about ±70° through the midrange) gives an enveloping, spacious sound in a suitably sized room. On-axis response holds within about ±3dB overall and ±1.5dB through the midrange. Attractive build quality with a distinctive metal front baffle and gloss finish options. Long-term compression stays good up to 96dB, and short-term compression is within about 0.5dB at that same level.
Cons: Notably room-dependent: sounds too bright in the lower treble in smaller rooms with close sidewalls, needing sidewall absorption to sound neutral, while performing better in larger or more open rooms without that treatment. A roughly 2dB lift in the lower treble combined with wide dispersion means more energy reflecting off sidewalls than some listeners will prefer. Relatively low sensitivity (about 82.5dB measured). Unusually sensitive to amplifier output impedance - high-output-impedance amps like tube or SET designs introduce up to a 2dB dip in the midrange, making the sound more mellow rather than “warmer,” the opposite of what many tube-amp buyers expect. Elevated harmonic and multitone distortion around 700Hz, which the reviewer attributes to typical cone-edge/surround behavior common across many driver brands, though it stands out on the measurement graphs. An upper-midrange dip around 2kHz can reduce attack and clarity on vocals and brass instruments. Vertical listening window is fairly narrow (roughly -20° to +30°) - moving outside that range causes a noticeable tonal shift, unlike coaxial designs that tolerate more vertical movement.
Full Dynaudio Contour 20i review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 32Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 56Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 17.4"H x 8.5"W x 14.2"D (442 x 215.9 x 360.7 mm) |
| Drivers | 18 cm MSP woofer, 28mm Esotar 2i with Hexis tweeter |
| Impedance | 4 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 82.5dB |
| Weight | 30.9 lbs / 14 kg each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Dynaudio Contour 20i vs Definitive Technology Demand D11
- Dynaudio Contour 20i vs Yamaha NS-800A
- Dynaudio Contour 20i vs SVS Ultra Bookshelf
- Dynaudio Contour 20i vs ELAC DBR62
- Dynaudio Contour 20i vs Infinity Reference R162
- Dynaudio Contour 20i vs Danley SH50
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