The ELAC Uni-Fi UB52 look like very sleek speakers that can do the job. However, the staggering price tag can be a deterrent for many people unless they know it can meet expectations. To make sure you are not wasting hundreds of dollars, our expert team has put together a detailed ELAC Uni-Fi UB52 review.
What We Like
- True 3-way speakers
- Aluminum cone woofer
- Wide roll surround tweeter
- 6 ohm impedance
- Highly compatible with amps and receivers
- Front-firing ports
- Internal bracing with thick MDF housing
- Beautiful design
- High quality construction
- 85 dB sensitivity
What We Don’t Like
- Expensive price
- No rubber feet
ELAC Uni-Fi UB52 Design
The amazing ELAC Uni-Fi UB52 bookshelf speakers are a true 3-way design. This means there is a dedicated driver to every part of the sound spectrum. Similar to top-notch vintage speakers under 500, the housing is constructed out of robust MDF that has a wood finish [1]. The internal bracing system adds to the rigidity of the speakers, which will help to reduce vibrations and hollow audio relays.
The ELAC Uni-Fi UB52 has a removable clothe grille that is designed to not muffle and obstruct the sound. If you want louder acoustics, simply remove them from the bookshelf speakers.
The ELAC Uni-Fi UB52 places all the connections in easily accessible locations to hook up easily to your system. You can also choose to connect an external subwoofer to the system to amp up the bass.
Unfortunately, these bookshelf speakers are designed to be placed on flat surfaces only and cannot be mounted. They are also quite heavy, which would make mounting difficult.
Features of the ELAC Uni-Fi UB52
Sound Quality
Being a true 3-way speaker, you can expect highly precise, balanced and dynamic sound from the speakers every time. The tweeter, mid-range driver and woofer will hit all the notes on the spectrum without any trouble and blend together to create an amazing soundstage.
The perfect amount of rigidity and sturdy construction which you find in other well-known brands like Samsung SWA-8500S promise clean and clear sound without hollow and punchy tones.
The 6 ohm nominal impedance guarantees the efficiency of these bookshelf speakers. The 85 dB sensitivity plus a frequency range of 46-35k Hz will deliver all the sound effects in your content as close to real life audio as possible.
ELAC Uni-Fi UB52 Drivers
Unlike Harman Kardon Onyx 2 and 3 with four drivers, the ELAC Uni-Fi UB52 features tweeters, mids and woofers for every level of the sound spectrum. The soft dome tweeters are optimally shaped and constructed to hit all the high notes with 100% clarity.
As for the midrange drivers and the woofers, aluminum construction will ensure the right amount of give to not allow too much vibrations to dampen the sound. As a 3-way bookshelf speaker, the clarity offered overall is superior compared to 2-way speakers which are missing midrange drivers. It can compare to top budget tower speakers available in the market today.
Connectivity
The connection for the ELAC Uni-Fi UB52 are 5-way binding posts, which are the most versatile and most compatible with other connectors. If you are looking to integrate these bookshelf speakers to a 5.1 channel home theater system like Onkyo HT-S3900, the 5-way binding posts will pose minimal trouble with setup.
ELAC Uni-Fi UB52 Setup
Speaking of setting up your new ELAC Uni-Fi UB52 speakers, they are easy to connect and integrate into your household with minimal effort. They come with all you need to do it and the binding ports make it easy. Expect the user manual and additional parts to be included in the package. You can also opt for a more convenient setup by making your speaker wireless as well.
Price
One of the only cons of the ELAC Uni-Fi UB52 is the high price tag like the KEF LS50 Wireless II with staggering price. For bookshelf speakers, you can find a lot more affordable ones on the market, so why go for the ELAC Uni-Fi UB52?
For one thing, they are true 3-way speakers. The precision and sound frequencies emitted from a 3-way compared to a 2-way speaker is like night and day. Even for laymen audiophiles, you can hear the difference clearly.
The build and structure of the ELAC Uni-Fi UB52 is also incomparable to other models. It’s made of very hardy materials that only help to improve the precision of the bookshelf speakers.
Warranty
When purchased from reputable and licensed sellers, the ELAC Uni-Fi UB52 comes with a 3-year warranty, which covers both parts and labor. With a promise such as this one from the company, you can be sure your money is going towards something worth it. Of course, you can find top-performing bookshelf speakers below 1000 that come with a warranty from manufacturer.
ELAC Uni-Fi UB52 Review Conclusion
The conclusion of our ELAC Uni-Fi UB52 review is a highly positive one. Yes, the price is quite expensive but the price tag speaks volumes for the quality of the build and the audio you get from these bookshelf speakers.
Everything from the housing and cabinet down to the internal bracing system and construction of the drivers were created with careful attention to detail to bring you the best you can get for your money.
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