Short answer: the ELAC Uni-Fi Reference UBR62. It ranks #40 of 84 bookshelf speakers by sound quality at $1199; the SVS Ultra Bookshelf ranks #45 and costs $1200, 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.
What the SVS Ultra Bookshelf offers: Noticeably more tonally neutral than the cheaper SVS Prime Bookshelf, with response staying within about -3dB/+1.5dB on average - a genuine step up in linearity for roughly double the price. Watch for: Still has a boosted upper mid-range/mid-range area, though less severe than the Prime - the reviewer suspects a baffle-step or tweeter-level issue rather than a resonance, giving mixes a slightly forward, occasionally tinny…
Buy the ELAC Uni-Fi Reference UBR62. It ranks higher for sound quality than the SVS Ultra Bookshelf and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
Specifications Side By Side
| ELAC Uni-Fi Reference UBR62 | SVS Ultra Bookshelf | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,199/pair | $1,200 |
| Ranked | #40 of 84 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #45 of 84 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) | 87.8dB (measured average, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms minimum near 50Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 8 ohms nominal, 3.8 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | 1" tweeter coaxial with 4" midrange; 6.5" woofer | 6.5" composite glass fiber cone woofer, 1" aluminum dome tweeter |
| Dimensions | 14.1"H x 8.2"W x 13.1"D | 14.9"H x 8.5"W x 10"D |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, dual front slot vents | - |
| Weight | - | 19 lbs each |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | - | 69Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 48Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Frequency Response | - | 45Hz - 32kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| Recommended Power | - | 20-150W |
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- Wharfedale Linton 85 vs ELAC DBR62
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- MoFi SourcePoint 8 vs ELAC DBR62
- Power Sound Audio MT-110-M vs ELAC Uni-Fi Reference UBR62
- Power Sound Audio MT-110-M vs SVS Ultra Bookshelf
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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SVS Ultra Bookshelf: $1,200 Amazon
Pros: Noticeably more tonally neutral than the cheaper SVS Prime Bookshelf, with response staying within about -3dB/+1.5dB on average - a genuine step up in linearity for roughly double the price. Slightly higher sensitivity than the Prime (about 87.8dB) with similarly wide, consistent horizontal radiation. Toeing the speakers out about 30 degrees smooths the in-room response nicely if the on-axis tonal balance runs a bit forward for your taste. Distortion and dynamics hold up well; this is a mature, well-regarded design (roughly a decade old at review time) that’s aged better than many contemporaries.
Cons: Still has a boosted upper mid-range/mid-range area, though less severe than the Prime - the reviewer suspects a baffle-step or tweeter-level issue rather than a resonance, giving mixes a slightly forward, occasionally tinny character. Bass extension is modest for the price (F3 69Hz, F10 48Hz measured) - SVS is clearly counting on you pairing this with one of their subwoofers rather than expecting full-range performance from the bookshelf alone. Measured minimum impedance dips to about 3.8 ohms, so a 4-ohm-stable amplifier is recommended rather than a basic 8-ohm-only AVR. Radiation pattern is wide (around 80°), wider than the reviewer’s typical ~60° sweet spot preference, so acoustic treatment on nearby walls helps tame reflections and keep the off-axis response from diverging too much from on-axis.
Full SVS Ultra Bookshelf review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 48Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 69Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 14.9"H x 8.5"W x 10"D |
| Drivers | 6.5" composite glass fiber cone woofer, 1" aluminum dome tweeter |
| Frequency Response | 45Hz - 32kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal, 3.8 ohms minimum (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Recommended Power | 20-150W |
| Sensitivity | 87.8dB (measured average, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Weight | 19 lbs each |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons