Short answer: the JBL Stage 2 250B. It ranks #30 of 56 bookshelf speakers by sound quality at $349.95; the ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UB52 ranks #37 and costs $599, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the JBL Stage 2 250B gets right: Consistent, EQ-able dips in the frequency response mean the tonal issues are at least correctable if you’re willing to use equalization. The catch: The reviewer was “even less enthusiastic” about this one than its disappointing floorstanding sibling.
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 Stage 2 250B. 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.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Stage 2 250B | ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UB52 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $349.95 | $599.00 |
| Ranked | #30 of 56 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers | #37 of 56 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 50Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | - |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 64Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 55.7Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Drivers | 1" anodized aluminum dome tweeter with HDI waveguide, 5.25" polycellulose woofer | 5.25" aluminum woofer, 4" aluminum midrange, 1" soft dome tweeter |
| Weight | 12.3 lbs / 5.6 kg (12.4 lb) per pair | 7.7 lbs / 3.5 kg |
| Sensitivity | 86dB (2.83V/1m, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) | 83.3dB (measured by Audio Science Review; 85dB manufacturer specified) |
| Output Power | 75W RMS | - |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal, 3.3 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 6 ohms |
| Dimensions | 12.6"H x 7.9"W x 9.5"D (321.0 x 200.0 x 241.0 mm) | 13.6"H x 7.3"W x 10.8"D (346 x 185 x 275 mm) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | ported |
| Crossover Frequency | - | 200Hz / 2000Hz |
| Power Handling | - | 140W max |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- KEF Q100 vs JBL Stage A130
- ELAC BS U5 vs Micca RB42
- ELAC BS U5 vs Pioneer SP-BS22-LR (Philharmonic AAM Mod)
- Paradigm Monitor SE Atom vs ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UB52
- ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UB52 vs Q Acoustics 3020i
The Two Speakers In Full
JBL Stage 2 250B: $349.95 Amazon
Pros: Consistent, EQ-able dips in the frequency response mean the tonal issues are at least correctable if you’re willing to use equalization. Horizontal dispersion is reasonably wide and controlled (~50-60 degrees). The tweeter itself holds up fine under compression testing - it’s the midwoofer that gives out first.
Cons: The reviewer was “even less enthusiastic” about this one than its disappointing floorstanding sibling. A confusing, hard-to-place tonal signature - a lower-midrange dip creates a recessed, lacking-attack character that’s then partly offset by a rebound around 2-4kHz, so it reads as recessed and forward at different times depending on the material. Treble falls off sharply above 6-7kHz, same issue as the larger 280F. Multitone distortion at 96dB is genuinely poor - well over 3%, reportedly around 10% at some frequencies. Limited bass extension (F3 64Hz, F10 50Hz) means a subwoofer is basically required if used as main speakers. Compression sets in early on the bass/midwoofer at higher output. The reviewer explicitly recommends the similarly-priced Polk Reserve R200/R100 instead for anyone who wants a more linear, EQ-free sound.
Full JBL Stage 2 250B review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 50Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 64Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 12.6"H x 7.9"W x 9.5"D (321.0 x 200.0 x 241.0 mm) |
| Drivers | 1" anodized aluminum dome tweeter with HDI waveguide, 5.25" polycellulose woofer |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal, 3.3 ohms minimum (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Output Power | 75W RMS |
| Sensitivity | 86dB (2.83V/1m, measured by Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Weight | 12.3 lbs / 5.6 kg (12.4 lb) per pair |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
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- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL Stage 2 250B vs ELAC BS U5
- JBL Stage 2 250B vs Dynaudio Emit M10
- JBL Stage 2 250B vs Dynaudio X14
- JBL Stage 2 250B vs Pioneer SP-BS22-LR (Philharmonic AAM Mod)
- JBL Stage 2 250B vs Paradigm Monitor SE Atom
- JBL Stage 2 250B vs JBL L52 Classic
- JBL Stage 2 250B vs Sony SS-CS5 M2
- JBL Stage 2 250B vs ELAC Debut 2.0 B5.2
- See all 18 comparisons
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
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UB52 vs KEF Q100
- ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UB52 vs JBL Stage A120
- ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UB52 vs Q Acoustics 3020i
- ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UB52 vs JBL L52 Classic
- 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
- ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UB52 vs Dynaudio X14
- See all 22 comparisons