Short answer: the ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UB52, if you are buying new. The Emotiva B1+ ranks higher than it (#17 vs #70 of 90 bookshelf speakers, 4.1/5 vs 2.4/5) but is discontinued, so only consider it used; the ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UB52 is still sold new at $599.
Why pick the Emotiva B1+: Emotiva B1+ uses 5.25” woven fiber cone with SBR surround woofer, 25x32 mm Airmotiv folded ribbon tweeter in a conventional wired-speaker design. The catch: It needs an external amplifier and thoughtful placement.
The case for the ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UB52: Wide, smooth horizontal directivity: beamwidth holds to about ±60 degrees up to 8kHz before narrowing. The catch: Dipped 3db from 1.5-3kHz.
Buy the ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UB52, since the Emotiva B1+ is discontinued and only worth hunting down used.
Still deciding? The full Passive Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Emotiva B1+ | ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UB52 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $250 per pair Discontinued | $599.00 per pair |
| Ranked | #17 of 90 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers | #70 of 90 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 49Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 38.6Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| 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 |
| Weight | 8.8 lbs (4.0 kg) each | 7.7 lbs (3.5 kg) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | ported |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.34 (spinorama.org) | 5.32 (spinorama.org) |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.86 (spinorama.org) | 7.34 (spinorama.org) |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Crossover Frequency | - | 200Hz / 2000Hz |
| Power Handling | - | 140W max |
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Prices on this page were last checked September 30, 2026 at 2:57 PM 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
Emotiva B1+: $250 per pair Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the Emotiva Airmotiv XB2, rated 4.2/5.
Pros: Emotiva B1+ uses 5.25” woven fiber cone with SBR surround woofer, 25x32 mm Airmotiv folded ribbon tweeter in a conventional wired-speaker design. Its form factor and driver layout make it a sensible match for a properly chosen amplifier and room. Measured bass extension of 70Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 85dB.
Cons: It needs an external amplifier and thoughtful placement. Speaker performance will depend heavily on the partnering electronics and room acoustics. 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) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 10.8”H x 7.1”W x 8.3”D (274 x 181 x 210 mm) |
| 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) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.34 (spinorama.org) |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.86 (spinorama.org) |
| Weight | 8.8 lbs (4.0 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UB52: $599.00 per pair 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. Measured bass extension of 55.7Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 83.3dB.
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 |
| DIY Kit | No |
| 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) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.32 (spinorama.org) |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.34 (spinorama.org) |
| Weight | 7.7 lbs (3.5 kg) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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