Напольная акустика — ELAC UniFi Reference UFR52

The Uni-Fi Reference UFR52 is the floorstanding model of the Uni-Fi Reference series from ELAC, a line that ELAC Americas built on the Uni-Fi 2.0 speakers and refined for performance and cosmetics. This passive tower uses three-way bass reflex loading and was styled to fit traditional or contemporary interiors. Two finishes exist - satin black paired with walnut sides, or satin white paired with oak sides.

Key specs that matter

A 1 inch soft dome tweeter sits concentrically in the centre of a 4 inch aluminium midrange, and three 5.25 inch aluminium woofers cover the low end. Crossover points are 220 Hz and 1,800 Hz. ELAC specifies a frequency response of 40 Hz to 35,000 Hz, a sensitivity of 86 dB, a nominal impedance of 6 ohm and a maximum power input of 140 W. The cabinet measures 185 x 995 x 338 mm, with a net weight of 23.75 kg per speaker. Connection is through bi-wire 5-way binding posts.

Engineering and use context

The concentric driver is new for this series and sits on a cast chassis designed so that fewer reflections return toward the cone. Its wide-surround tweeter is intended to extend both its low and high frequency range so that it blends more smoothly with the midrange. The midrange itself was developed from scratch, with a neodymium magnet, a vented spider at the rear and a voice coil of large diameter for greater excursion and control. The woofers also use cast chassis, a single-piece compound curvature aluminium cone and a large rear-vented magnet, which ELAC says gives better linearity and deeper bass response than any earlier Uni-Fi floorstander. The CARB2 rated MDF cabinet carries full perimeter bracing to cut vibration, and the curved front baffle is part of the redesign. Instead of round tubes, the tower uses dual slot vents flared both inside and outside the cabinet so that less port noise is produced while bass output rises.

Pairing

The moderate impedance and power rating suit a conventional stereo integrated amplifier or AV receiver, and the sensitivity is 1 dB above the Uni-Fi 2.0 tower. Its paired binding posts accept two cable runs per side, or two amplifier channels with one driving the bass drivers and another the concentric unit.

Alternatives

The ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UF52 is the three-way tower from the previous Uni-Fi 2.0 line, with 200 Hz and 2,000 Hz crossover points, front-firing port tubes and a black ash vinyl cabinet.