Short answer: the JBL L52 Classic for better sound quality, the ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UB52 for the lower price. The JBL L52 Classic ranks #34 of 56 bookshelf speakers at $1099.95. The ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UB52 ranks #37 at $599, $500.95 cheaper.
What the JBL L52 Classic gets right: Genuine walnut wood veneer cabinet with a retro Quadrex foam grille (black, orange, or dark blue) reviving JBL’s classic L-series look. The catch: Measured compression and distortion behavior from about 1-5 kHz was inconsistent (“wonky”) across output levels, and didn’t clean up even at lower volume.
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 JBL L52 Classic if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UB52 if the price matters more than sound quality.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL L52 Classic | ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UB52 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,099.95 | $599.00 |
| Ranked | #34 of 56 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers | #37 of 56 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Drivers | 5.25" pure pulp cone woofer, 0.75" titanium dome tweeter with waveguide | 5.25" aluminum woofer, 4" aluminum midrange, 1" soft dome tweeter |
| Dimensions | 13-1/16"H x 7-13/16"W x 8-11/16"D | 13.6"H x 7.3"W x 10.8"D (346 x 185 x 275 mm) |
| Weight | 11 lbs each | 7.7 lbs / 3.5 kg |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal, 3.7 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 6 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 85dB (measured average, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 83.3dB (measured by Audio Science Review; 85dB manufacturer specified) |
| Frequency Response | 47Hz - 24kHz (-6dB, manufacturer specified) | - |
| Power Handling | 10-75W RMS | 140W max |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 62Hz (measured average, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 55.7Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 45Hz (measured average, Erin’s Audio Corner) | - |
| Crossover Frequency | 2.8kHz | 200Hz / 2000Hz |
| Woofer Cabinet | - | ported |
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The Two Speakers In Full
JBL L52 Classic: $1,099.95 Amazon
Pros: Genuine walnut wood veneer cabinet with a retro Quadrex foam grille (black, orange, or dark blue) reviving JBL’s classic L-series look. 5.25” pure pulp cone woofer and 0.75” titanium dome tweeter on a waveguide, front-firing bass reflex port, in a compact stand-mount cabinet. A pronounced upper-bass bump around 100 Hz gives kick drums a punchy, textured character.
Cons: Measured compression and distortion behavior from about 1-5 kHz was inconsistent (“wonky”) across output levels, and didn’t clean up even at lower volume; adding a subwoofer high-pass didn’t fix the high-frequency distortion either. Response rolls off quickly above the upper-bass bump, so there’s punch and impact but not real low-end rumble or fundamental weight below about 60 Hz without a subwoofer. Soundstage width was inconsistent track to track, with imaging not staying locked to where instruments should be. Vocals could sound hot and slightly grainy in the 2.5-5 kHz region; pointing the speakers off-axis reduced that sharpness but also killed high-frequency air.
Full JBL L52 Classic review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 45Hz (measured average, Erin's Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 62Hz (measured average, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Crossover Frequency | 2.8kHz |
| Dimensions | 13-1/16"H x 7-13/16"W x 8-11/16"D |
| Drivers | 5.25" pure pulp cone woofer, 0.75" titanium dome tweeter with waveguide |
| Frequency Response | 47Hz - 24kHz (-6dB, manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal, 3.7 ohms minimum (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Power Handling | 10-75W RMS |
| Sensitivity | 85dB (measured average, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Weight | 11 lbs each |
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- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL L52 Classic vs Pioneer SP-BS22-LR (Philharmonic AAM Mod)
- JBL L52 Classic vs Dynaudio X14
- JBL L52 Classic vs JBL Stage A120
- JBL L52 Classic vs KEF Q100
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- JBL L52 Classic vs ELAC BS U5
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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.
- Links
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- ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UB52 vs KEF Q100
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- ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UB52 vs Pioneer SP-BS22-LR (Philharmonic AAM Mod)
- ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UB52 vs Micca RB42
- ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UB52 vs Q Acoustics 5020
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