Полочная акустика — ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UB52

The ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UB52 is a three-way stand-mount model designed by Andrew Jones as the second generation of the Uni-Fi UB5, and the Uni-Fi 2.0 line was announced on 2 September 2020. The UB52 was listed at USD 599 per pair and is finished in Black Ash vinyl. Its defining feature is a concentric driver placing the tweeter at the apex of the midrange cone.

Key specs that matter

The coaxial unit combines a 1 inch soft dome with a 4 inch aluminium cone, and a separate 5.25 inch aluminium woofer handles the bass. Crossover points are 200 Hz and 2,000 Hz. Rated frequency response is 46 to 35,000 Hz, sensitivity is 85 dB at 2.83 V and 1 m, and nominal impedance is 6 ohm. Recommended amplifier power is 40 to 140 W per channel, while maximum power input is 140 W. The enclosure measures 185 mm wide, 346 mm high and 275 mm deep, and each unit weighs 8.3 kg.

Engineering and use context

According to ELAC, the concentric layout gives consistent behaviour off axis across a wide listening area. For the 2.0 version the tweeter from the Adante series was brought down to the Uni-Fi price point, and a wider surround on the midrange lets the tweeter work with extended treble response. The midrange received a larger diameter voice coil, a new aluminium cone profile, a new low-profile surround and a new neodymium magnet assembly. The bass unit uses a newly developed one-piece dished aluminium cone with an oversized magnet, a large voice coil and an extended pole piece, aimed at better low-frequency performance. The crossover is more complex than in the first generation. Thick MDF outer walls with specially located internal bracing stiffen the enclosure. The bass reflex port was moved from the rear of the original UB5 to the front, below the woofer, which ELAC says gives more freedom of placement, including inside a cabinet. ELAC states that drivers, waveguides, cabinets and crossover networks were all newly developed for the 2.0 series. Connection is through 5-way binding posts, and black mesh plug-in grilles are supplied.

Pairing

With its modest sensitivity and moderate nominal load, the UB52 calls for an amplifier within the power range ELAC recommends, and a lower-powered amplifier falls below it. The Uni-Fi 2.0 family also includes the UC52 centre speaker, which lets the UB52 serve as front or surround channels in a matched multichannel system.

Alternatives

The ELAC Uni-Fi Reference UBR62 is a larger stand-mount sibling that moves up to a 6.5 inch aluminium woofer, curved front baffle and bi-wire terminals.