ELAC UB52
The ELAC UB52 turns a compact three-way design into a holographic soundstage, with tactile bass, lifelike vocals and remarkably even tonal balance. Its concentric mid/tweeter array lets images float free of the cabinets, while the front port adds placement flexibility. newrecordday and Audiophiliac highlight its spacious scale, sharp focus and surprising dynamic authority.
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Deliciously Crispy
Sound Quality
93/100
Build Quality
79/100
Value for Money
95/100
Pros
Exceptionally precise, holographic imaging with a wide, deep stage and tightly focused center image.
Natural, highly detailed midrange gives vocals and piano convincing body, texture and realism.
Potent, controlled bass with impressive extension and texture for a compact 5.25-inch woofer.
Strong value: reviewers found its balanced, transparent performance competitive with substantially pricier speakers.
Cons
Careful placement and toe-in are important; suboptimal positioning can make the mid-bass sound heavy and reduce bass weight.
Treble is slightly restrained and can become a little grainy at very high volumes.
Vinyl finish and overall aesthetics were judged underwhelming for the price.
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What Reviewers Are Saying
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 93/100
Reviewers consistently describe an unusually balanced, transparent and room-filling sound for a compact three-way standmount. Its strongest calling cards are exceptionally precise imaging, convincing midrange realism and bass that reaches well beyond normal expectations for a 5.25-inch woofer, though careful placement and adequate amplification bring out its best.
Bass
91/100
For its 5.25-inch woofer, the UB52 earns repeated praise for potent, deep and controlled bass, with reviewers highlighting texture, tonal color, precision and extension into the high-40Hz region. Front-port placement aids near-wall flexibility, although Analog Planet found that some recordings still benefited from subwoofer support and careful positioning was needed to avoid a fat mid-bass balance.
Mid
95/100
Vocals and acoustic instruments are a major strength. Reviewers heard male voices as full, clear and highly detailed, while piano carried convincing body and scale; Analog Planet likewise found vocals textured, three-dimensional and exceptionally believable once placement was optimized.
Treble
90/100
The soft-dome treble is widely described as airy, detailed and fatigue-free, with natural cymbal decay and strong tonal presence. Audiophiliac heard a slightly restrained top end rather than an overtly incisive one, and noted a little added grain when pushed very loudly, but still considered it well behaved for the class.
Soundstage Imaging
96/100
Imaging is the UB52's most universally celebrated quality. Multiple reviewers describe sharply focused, holographic images, broad and deep staging, and a presentation that detaches completely from the cabinets; voices and instruments can seem startlingly three-dimensional. It rewards meticulous toe-in and placement, which Analog Planet found essential to achieving the strongest center image and stage depth.
Dynamics
92/100
The speaker is repeatedly said to play with surprising freedom and punch, encouraging higher listening levels while retaining musical expression. Audiophiliac found its dynamic capability well ahead of the Q Acoustics 3030i, though newrecordday noted some loss of bass and dynamic control only at extreme volume.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Build Quality
79/100
The UB52 has a comprehensively updated cabinet, crossover and driver complement, but the supplied reviews offer little direct assessment of cabinet finish, terminals or long-term durability. Cheap Audio Man specifically regarded its build and aesthetics as substandard at the price, while accepting that the budget appears to have been directed primarily toward sound quality.
Value for Money
95/100
At the reviewed pricing of roughly $598 to $700 per pair, value commentary is emphatically positive. Analog Planet calls it high-performance and highly affordable, Cheap Audio Man says it is fully worth its $600 asking price, and newrecordday names it a favorite production speaker against models up to $1,500.
Reviews & Sources
Professional reviews and sources for this product's Watt'n Potatoes analysis.
Online Reviews & Mentions
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Forum Mentions
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Specifications
- Speaker Type
- 3-way, bass reflex
- Tweeter
- 1” Soft Dome
- Mid-Range
- 4” Aluminum
- Woofer
- 5-1/4” Aluminum
- Frequency Response
- 46 - 35.000 Hz
- Crossover Frequency
- 200 / 2000 Hz
- Max. Power Input
- 140 W
- Sensitivity
- 85 dB @ 2,83 V /1 m
- Nominal Impedance
- 6 Ω
- Finish
- Black Ash vinyl
- Dimensions (WxHXD)
- 185 × 346 × 275 mm
Manufacturer's Description — ELAC
ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 Bookshelf Speaker – UB52
ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 speakers have garnered widespread acclaim and recognition for their exceptional sound reproduction, innovative design, and remarkable performance. Renowned among audio enthusiasts and professionals, these speakers stand out for their ability to deliver an immersive, true-to-life listening experience that surpasses expectations. Through a combination of cutting-edge technology, precision engineering, and a commitment to sonic excellence, ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 speakers have established themselves as a benchmark in the world of high-fidelity audio.
True 3-Way Speaker
A 3-way speaker system offers numerous benefits due to its precise allocation of frequencies to three distinct drivers, each tailored for bass, midrange, and treble. This meticulous distribution guarantees a precise and detailed rendering of sound throughout the entire spectrum. This design minimizes frequency interference, reduces distortion, and ultimately results in a clearer, more refined audio quality.
Brand New Custom-Designed Concentric Driver
The updated wide-surround tweeter enriches both low and high-frequency extension, facilitating better integration with the midrange driver. A completely revamped mid-range configuration incorporates a larger diameter voice coil, an updated aluminum cone profile, a redesigned low-profile surround, and a brand-new neodymium magnet assembly. These enhancements contribute to enhanced imaging, broader sound dispersion, and minimized crossover distortion.
Dedicated 5-1/4” Aluminum Bass Woofer
A newly developed single piece aluminum cone results improved stiffness. Combined with an oversized magnet, larger diameter voice coil, and an extended pole piece these new Uni-Fi 2.0 speakers have significant improvements in accuracy and bass dynamics.
Acoustically Optimized Cabinets
Each Uni-Fi 2.0 enclosure undergoes meticulous engineering, featuring sturdy MDF outer walls and an elegant black ash vinyl finish. Strategically positioned internal bracing enhances the cabinet's structural integrity, minimizing vibrations that could otherwise distort the sound and introduce unwanted coloration.
UniFi
Design Goals
UniFi 2.0
The Benefits
Introducing
UniFi 2.0!
Bass Driver
UniFi 2.0
Concentric Midrange/Tweeter
UniFi 2.0
Enhanced Bracing
UniFi 2.0
Verified Dealers
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Authorized dealers for ELAC UB52
- The Music Room — online and in-store — Erie, Colorado, United States (website)
- A Tube High Fidelity — online and in-store — Almere, Flevoland, Netherlands (website)
- Accessories 4 less — online and in-store — Apopka, Florida, United States (website)
- Acoustic Sound Design — online and in-store — Las Vegas, Nevada, United States (website)
- Acoustic Sounds — online and in-store — Salina, Kansas, United States (website)
- Acoustica — online and in-store — Chester, England, United Kingdom (website)
- Addicted to Audio — online and in-store — Epping, Victoria, Australia (website)
- Adorama — in-store — New York, New York, United States (website)
- Alpha High End — online and in-store — Brasschaat, Vlaams Gewest, Belgium (website)
- Alta Fedelta — online and in-store — Lombardia, Italy (website)
and 123 more verified dealers