Short answer: the Emotiva B1+. It ranks #7 of 34 bookshelf speakers by sound quality at $250; the ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UB52 ranks #28 and costs $599, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the Emotiva B1+ offers: Its documented strengths make it a credible option in this class. Watch for: Resonance and peak from 1-2khz.
What the ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UB52 offers: Wide, smooth horizontal directivity - beamwidth holds to about ±60 degrees up to 8kHz before narrowing. Watch for: Dipped 3db from 1.5-3khz.
Buy the Emotiva B1+. It ranks higher for sound quality than the ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UB52 and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip the ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UB52. It ranks near the bottom of the 34 bookshelf speakers, so look higher up the list instead.
Specifications Side By Side
| Emotiva B1+ | ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UB52 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $250 Discontinued | $599.00 |
| Ranked | #7 of 34 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers | #28 of 34 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 49Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | - |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 70Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 55.7Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Dimensions | 10.8"H x 7.1"W x 8.3"D (274 x 181 x 210 mm) | 13.6"H x 7.3"W x 10.8"D (346 x 185 x 275 mm) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 6 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 85dB (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 83.3dB (measured by Audio Science Review; 85dB manufacturer specified) |
| Drivers | 5.25" woven fiber cone with SBR surround woofer, 25x32 mm Airmotiv folded ribbon tweeter | 5.25" aluminum woofer, 4" aluminum midrange, 1" soft dome tweeter |
| Discontinued | Yes | - |
| Weight | 8.8 lbs / 4.0 kg each | 7.7 lbs / 3.5 kg |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | ported |
| Crossover Frequency | - | 200Hz / 2000Hz |
| Power Handling | - | 140W max |
Related Speaker Comparisons
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- Klipsch RP-500M II vs Zaph Audio ZA5.2 TM
- KEF Q150 vs Klipsch RP-500M II
- JBL Studio 530 vs Klipsch RP-500M II
- Acoustic Energy AE100 Mk2 vs ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UB52
- KEF Q150 vs Emotiva B1+
The Two Speakers In Full
Emotiva B1+: $250 Discontinued
Cons: Resonance and peak from 1-2khz. A little bright up top. Not great vertically off-axis. Discontinued.
Full Emotiva B1+ review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 49Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 70Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 10.8"H x 7.1"W x 8.3"D (274 x 181 x 210 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 5.25" woven fiber cone with SBR surround woofer, 25x32 mm Airmotiv folded ribbon tweeter |
| Impedance | 8 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 85dB (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Weight | 8.8 lbs / 4.0 kg each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
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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 |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
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