Short answer: the Emotiva Airmotiv XB2. It ranks #32 of 100 bookshelf speakers by sound quality at $549; the ELAC Uni-Fi Reference UBR62 ranks #41 and costs $1199, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
On the Emotiva Airmotiv XB2 side: Very neutral, linear frequency response at the recommended toe-out angle, with better directivity than the similarly-priced ELAC DB63. Set against that: Slight recessed upper-midrange around 2kHz from the tweeter-to-woofer handoff.
The case for the ELAC Uni-Fi Reference UBR62: 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. The tradeoff: 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.
Buy the Emotiva Airmotiv XB2. It ranks higher for sound quality than the ELAC Uni-Fi Reference UBR62 and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
Specifications Side By Side
| Emotiva Airmotiv XB2 | ELAC Uni-Fi Reference UBR62 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $549 | $1,199/pair |
| Ranked | #32 of 100 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #41 of 100 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 43Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | - |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 62Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | - |
| Dimensions | 12.8" x 8.5" x 11.5" (325 x 216 x 292 mm) | 14.1"H x 8.2"W x 13.1"D |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (safe with 8-ohm rated amps) | 4 ohms minimum near 50Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 86dB (2.83V/1m, Manufacturer specified) | 83dB/2.83V/1m (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | 1x 6" woven cone woofer, 1x 25x32mm AMT folded ribbon tweeter | 1" tweeter coaxial with 4" midrange; 6.5" woofer |
| Weight | 18.1 lbs / 8.2 kg | - |
| Woofer Cabinet | Bass reflex, rear ported | ported, dual front slot vents |
| Frequency Response | 48Hz - 27kHz (+3/-3dB, Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Crossover Frequency | 2.6kHz | - |
| Output Power | 125W continuous, 200W peak | - |
| Bass Extension | - | 41Hz manufacturer specified; Erin’s response-linearity graph shows limited high-output bass headroom |
Related Speaker Comparisons
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- ELAC DB63 vs GR-Research X-LS Encore
- ELAC DBR62 vs Definitive Technology Demand D11
- AsciLab C6B vs ELAC DB63
- Revel Concerta2 M16 vs ELAC Uni-Fi Reference UBR62
- ELAC DB63 vs ELAC Uni-Fi Reference UBR62
The Two Speakers In Full
Emotiva Airmotiv XB2: $549 Emotiva
Pros: Very neutral, linear frequency response at the recommended toe-out angle, with better directivity than the similarly-priced ELAC DB63. Decent bass extension for a bookshelf (F3 at 62Hz). AMT folded-ribbon tweeter with a rotating waveguide for placement flexibility. Great value - rated a top-three performer for the money by Erin’s Audio Corner.
Cons: Slight recessed upper-midrange around 2kHz from the tweeter-to-woofer handoff. Sounds noticeably bright pointed directly at the listener - needs toeing out 10-20 degrees, crossfiring behind the head, for the most linear result. Elevated multi-tone distortion at higher output leads to some grainy, compressed mids when pushed. Irregular compression deviations affect dynamics at higher volume. Needs a subwoofer for real bass authority.
Full Emotiva Airmotiv XB2 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 43Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 62Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Crossover Frequency | 2.6kHz |
| Dimensions | 12.8" x 8.5" x 11.5" (325 x 216 x 292 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 6" woven cone woofer, 1x 25x32mm AMT folded ribbon tweeter |
| Frequency Response | 48Hz - 27kHz (+3/-3dB, Manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (safe with 8-ohm rated amps) |
| Output Power | 125W continuous, 200W peak |
| Sensitivity | 86dB (2.83V/1m, Manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 18.1 lbs / 8.2 kg |
| Woofer Cabinet | Bass reflex, rear ported |
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- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Emotiva Airmotiv XB2 vs ELAC DB63
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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 |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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