ELAC UFR52
The ELAC UFR52 delivers holographic imaging, exceptionally natural vocals and clean, controlled bass in a poised three-way floorstander. newrecordday found its refined cabinet and concentric-driver presentation especially convincing, combining stable center focus with honest midrange tone. Its smooth, relaxed treble makes long listening sessions inviting, while thoughtful placement unlocks a remarkably lifelike soundstage.
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Deliciously Crispy
Sound Quality
90/100
Build Quality
89/100
Value for Money
92/100
Pros
Creates holographic, lifelike imaging with a clear, stable center image when carefully positioned.
Presents vocals with cleaner, natural timbre and little apparent coloration.
Offers strong mid-bass definition and bass clarity with minimal audible cabinet resonance.
Works well with a broad range of amplification, including 50W-plus solid-state and triode tube monoblocks.
Cons
Treble is smooth and relaxed rather than maximally airy; listeners seeking more upper-octave sparkle may want greater extension.
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What Reviewers Are Saying
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 90/100
The UFR52 is described as a notably clean, composed three-way tower with particularly convincing vocal realism, well-controlled bass, and holographic imaging when positioned carefully. Its top end is refined rather than aggressive, although the reviewer wanted a little more ultimate air and extension.
Bass
91/100
The reviewer found solid bass performance, with the UFR52 pulling ahead of its predecessor in mid-bass definition and bass clarity. In-room extension was measured around 45-50Hz with the speakers placed away from the wall, while moving them closer made reaching the specified 40Hz more achievable; cabinet coloration was also said to be difficult to hear.
Mid
91/100
Vocals were reported to be cleaner than through the older Uni-Fi Reference 2.0, with a natural and honest presentation across male and female voices. The reviewer’s examples of Mark Knopfler and Barry White retaining their recognizable character point to convincing timbre rather than an overtly colored midrange.
Treble
87/100
Treble is described as relaxed, smooth, and still extended, a welcome change for listeners who found the earlier model slightly zippy up top. However, the reviewer also wished for more air and upper-end extension, so it may not be the first choice for those seeking the most overtly sparkling presentation.
Soundstage Imaging
94/100
With careful placement, the UFR52 was said to create holographic, convincingly lifelike images with a clear and stable center image. The reviewer describes a singer appearing directly in front of the listener, suggesting especially strong image focus and presence.
Dynamics
87/100
The UFR52 was readily driven by solid-state amplification from 50 watts upward, and even triode-mode tube monoblocks were said to control it without trouble. The review gives less direct detail on large-scale transient slam or compression at very high levels, but it indicates that the speaker does not present an unusually difficult load in normal use.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Build Quality
89/100
The UFR52 was praised for its more upscale appearance, including classy matte-black aluminum drivers. During listening, the reviewer heard no rattles, cabinet noises, or signs of panels misbehaving, supporting the impression of a solidly executed enclosure.
Value for Money
92/100
At $1,299, the reviewer considers the refined Uni-Fi Reference to be taking a leading role in affordable hi-fi. The improvements over the previous version, particularly in bass clarity, vocal cleanliness, and overall refinement, were presented as making it an easy recommendation against similarly priced tower speakers.
Reviews & Sources
Professional reviews and sources for this product's Watt'n Potatoes analysis.
Online Reviews & Mentions
YouTube Reviews
Forum Mentions
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Specifications
- SPEAKER TYPE
- 3-Way Bass Reflex
- FREQUENCY RESPONSE
- 40Hz-35000Hz
- NOMINAL IMPEDANCE
- 6 Ω
- SENSITIVITY
- 86db
- CROSSOVER FREQUENCY
- 220 1800Hz
- MAXIMUM POWER INPUT
- 140 Watts
- TWEETER
- 1” Soft Dome
- MIDRANGE
- 4” Aluminum
- WOOFER
- 3 x 5-1/4” Aluminum
- CABINET
- CARB2 Rated MDF
- CABINET FINISH
- Satin White with Oak Sides or Satin Black with Walnut Sides
- PORT
- Dual Flared Slot Dual Flared
- BINDING POSTS
- Bi-Wire 5-Way
- DIMENSIONS (WxHxD)
- 9.21” x 39.17” x 13.31”
- NET WEIGHT
- 52.36 lbs
Manufacturer's Description — ELAC
ELAC UniFi Reference Floorstand Speaker– UFR52
Embark on a sonic journey like never before with the ELAC Uni-Fi Reference Floorstanding Speakers. These speakers stand as a testament to ELAC's unwavering commitment to audio perfection, combining meticulous craftsmanship and cutting-edge technology. Designed to be the focal point of your audio setup, the Uni-Fi Reference Floorstanding Speakers deliver a breathtaking listening experience. With precision-engineered drivers and a thoughtfully designed cabinet, these speakers reproduce music with unparalleled clarity, depth, and richness. Whether you're a discerning audiophile or a casual listener, the Uni-Fi Reference Floorstanding Speakers invite you to immerse yourself in a world of sonic excellence, where every note is rendered with precision and every musical nuance is brought to life in stunning detail. Welcome to a new era of audio refinement with ELAC Uni-Fi Reference Floorstanding Speakers.
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.
Cast Chassis Concentric Driver
An extended wide-surround tweeter elevates its range in both low and high frequencies, facilitating smoother integration with the midrange. A completely revamped midrange driver, equipped with a larger diameter voice coil, vented rear spider, and a fresh neodymium magnet, enhances excursion and precision in handling midrange frequencies. Additionally, a newly crafted cast chassis aims to reduce cone reflections, significantly improving overall clarity.
Compound Curvature Woofer
Markedly enhancing low-end reproduction, this recently developed bass driver showcases a single-piece compound curvature aluminum cone alongside a sizable rear vented magnet, ensuring heightened linearity and superior low-frequency response compared to any preceding Uni-Fi bookshelf speaker.
Dual Flared Slot Port
The newly introduced dual flared slot vent enables enhanced bass dynamics by delivering higher bass output with reduced noise levels.
Premium Finishes
Uni-Fi Reference showcases premium finishes, offering a Walnut cabinet paired with a black painted front baffle, or an Oak cabinet complemented by a white painted front baffle ensuring these speakers blend seamlessly into any home decor, making a statement without taking up unnecessary space.
Full Perimeter Bracing
A newly implemented full perimeter brace, connecting the top, bottom, and side panels, effectively reduces cabinet vibrations, resulting in minimized audio coloration within the cabinet.
UniFi Reference
Design Goals
UniFi Reference
Perfomance
Cast Chassis Woofer
Bass Driver
Concentric
Improved High Frequency Response
Crossover
3-Way Design
Cabinet
Design
Bracing Design
Enhanced
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Authorized dealers for ELAC UFR52
- 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)
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