Most people think that Elac is one of the best companies that makes passive bookshelf speakers because they find a good balance between price and performance. In this article, we’ll look at the Elac UB52, which is part of the company’s Uni-Fi 2.0 line.
This is a small but well-liked unit that has been around for a while. It was recently updated, but we need to know how it stacks up against all the new products that just came out. Do they still speak well? Are they still worth their price? Let’s find out.
[content-egg-block template=offers_logo hide=price]So, let’s give Elac exactly zero out of one hundred points for the boring and uninspired design of the UB5 cabinet. It has to be one of the most out-of-date designs out there, and the dull grey tones of the drivers can’t bring it back to life.
Specifications
- Frequency response: 46 to 35,000 Hz
- Sensitivity: 85 dB at 2.83 v/1m
- Recommended amplifier power: 40 to 140 wpc
- Peak power handling: 140 wpc
- Nominal impedance: 6 ohms
- Dimensions: 13.62″ high, 7.28″ wide, 10.83″ deep
- Weight: 18.26 lbs.
Where to get ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UB52?
Companies like Kanto, Klipsch, and KEF have worked on the design of bookshelves in recent years to make them easier to fit into how people live. Not many people want their speakers to be the centre of attention in their room, but this one sticks out like a sore thumb and screams, “Look at me! I’m a speaker from any time between 1983 and 2005!” Even Sanyo or Awaii could have been written on it.
Things on the front are a bit nicer, which makes it stand out from the more common two-way bookshelf speakers that have a small tweeter on top of a bigger woofer. As you can see in the pictures, the balance is better because the 4-inch and 5.25-inch woofers make two fuller circles.
Below that is the front-facing bass port, which makes the front look very circular. Aside from its ugly boxy design, this speaker is really well-made. It feels high-end and like it was put together with care. When you open up, you can see why it’s so good. MDF that is very thick is used to build it.
On close inspection, the internal bracing looked great. It was strong where it needed to be, and extra beams were added to mount the drivers on. The electronics were put in in a neat way, and the glue joints were perfect.