Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Bookshelf Speakers

ELAC Uni-Fi Reference Speakers are Raising the Bar Once More

The new range of ELAC Uni-Fi Reference speakers are another example of engineering savvy and desire to create more with less.

Elac Uni-Fi Reference UBR62 bookshelf loudspeakers in white oak

ELAC’s Andrew Jones is a really intriguing guy. The esteemed loudspeaker designer could be engineering products for anyone at this point without concern for price, but his focus continues to be creating great sounding affordable loudspeakers that the average music lover can afford. His new range of ELAC Uni-Fi Reference speakers are another example of his engineering savvy and desire to create more with less.

High-end audio needs more people like him; Paul Barton of PSB Speakers is another example of a globally respected loudspeaker designer who has the resources to create anything he wants but would rather focus on great sounding loudspeakers that people can afford.

I know that sounds like a dirty word right now but “affordability” is the key to growing a new generation of music listeners who actually care about better sound quality.

It’s tiring reading reviews of $10,000 speakers called “bargains” by the press. A $10,000 loudspeaker can’t be a bargain if less than 1% of the human race can ever afford it.

Andrew Jones figured this out a long time ago. Most likely when he was at Pioneer and had to create budget-priced loudspeakers that were a lot better than the competition below $300/pair.

Audiophiles don’t want to hear this but we need to break up this exclusive club if we want it to survive and grow.

Nobody is telling anyone to stop manufacturing $50,000 speakers, $25,000 turntables, or $10,000 amplifiers; there is a trickle-down effect with some brands to more affordable products that more people can afford. Not enough brands, but there have never been as many excellent affordable high-end audio products as right now.

Elac Uni-Fi Reference Loudspeakers 2021

The new ELAC Uni-Fi Reference speakers are another attempt to offer more for less and push the performance bar even higher.

“This new line removes the price limitations of the Uni-Fi 2.0 series along with the technical barriers associated with that price point. The Uni-Fi Reference series offers significant performance improvements such as cast chassis for both the concentric and bass drivers, newly developed bass and concentric drivers, enhanced bracing, improved crossover design, along with luxury cosmetics” said James Krodel, senior vice president sales, ELAC.

 So What’s Nu?

The ELAC Uni-Fi Reference speakers feature a newly developed 4” Concentric Driver with Cast Chassis: A wide-surround tweeter enhances its low and high frequency extension allowing for improved blending with the midrange.

Elac Uni-Fi Reference UBR62 bookshelf loudspeakers exploded parts
Elac Uni-Fi Reference UBR62

An entirely new midrange driver with large diameter voice coil, vented rear spider and new neodymium magnet allows for better excursion and control of midrange frequencies. A new cast chassis was designed to minimize reflections back to the cone resulting in better clarity.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

The entire range also features new 5.25” and 6.5” Aluminum Woofers with Cast Chassis: Drastically improving low-end reproduction, this newly developed bass driver features a single piece compound curvature aluminum cone with a large rear vented magnet delivering improved linearity and better low frequency response of any previous Uni-Fi bookshelf speaker.

Elac Uni-Fi Reference UBR62 Bookshelf Loudspeakers 2021
Elac Uni-Fi Reference UBR62 (black and walnut)

A sophisticated 3-way crossover is part of each new speaker: An entirely new design improves response linearity, improves driver integration, and delivers a true 6-ohm nominal impedance for compatibility with virtually all AV receivers.

Inexpensive loudspeakers usually cut corners when it comes to the cabinet and bracing but the new ELAC Uni-Fi Reference speakers feature full perimeter bracing: Reducing the speaker cabinets influence on audio quality the Uni-Fi Reference line implements full perimeter bracing significantly reducing cabinet vibration and cabinet coloration.

Elac UCR52 Center Speaker white oak
Elac UCR52 Center Speaker
Elac UCR52 Center Speaker white oak rear
Elac UCR52 Center Speaker (rear)

Front Firing Ports – Placing the vents on the front of the bookshelf and center speakers allows for greater freedom of placement, even in restricted places like a cabinet or up close to a wall. Something that is super useful when setting up your loudspeakers if you want to avoid overloading the room with too much bass.

Elac Uni-Fi Reference UFR52 loudspeaker front in walnut and black
Elac Uni-Fi Reference UFR52
Elac Uni-Fi Reference UFR52 Back in oak
Elac Uni-Fi Reference UFR52

Price & Availability

All three new models will be available in late-June 2021 at ELAC retailers nationwide.

Model Number Description MAP Price

  • UBR62-BK/W Uni-Fi Reference
    • 6 ½” 3-Way Concentric Bookshelf Speakers $999.98 Pair
  • UCR52-BK/W Uni-Fi Reference
    • 5 ¼” 3-Way Concentric Center Speaker $599.98 Each
  • UFR52-BK/W Uni-Fi Reference
    • 5 ¼” 3-Way Concentric Floor Standing Speaker $999.98 Each

For more information: Elac Uni-Fi Reference

Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Advertisement

Latest Products

77-inch LG SIGNATURE OLED T TV Lifestyle

HDTV 4K & 8K TV

At $59,999, the LG SIGNATURE OLED T is the most expensive 77-inch TV in the world. It looks like a pane of glass you...

Zeitgeist Germany Tree Collection IEMs Zeitgeist Germany Tree Collection IEMs

Earbuds & In-Ear Headphones

At $814, Zeitgeist Germany offers bespoke IEMs carved from 4 different types of wood -- Sequoia, Zebrano, Olive and Redheart.

TCL A1 Portable Lifestyle Projector TCL A1 Portable Lifestyle Projector

New Products

At $499, the TCL A1 is a 1080p portable lifestyle projector that lets you bring big screen entertainment wherever you go.

Bose 901 60th Anniversary Edition Speakers Lifestyle Front Bose 901 60th Anniversary Edition Speakers Lifestyle Front

Bookshelf Speakers

Without any public fanfare, Bose has recreated its legendary 901 Direct Reflecting Loudspeakers that we would like to see and hear in person.

Musical Fidelity M8x Vinyl Phono Stage Silver Front Angle Musical Fidelity M8x Vinyl Phono Stage Silver Front Angle

New Products

Musical Fidelity's new flagship M8x Vinyl Phono Stage is both fully discrete and fully balanced with improved gain stage and more.

Master & Dynamic ME05 Wired Earphones Master & Dynamic ME05 Wired Earphones

Earbuds & In-Ear Headphones

Are wired earphones coming back? The new $199 Master & Dynamic ME05 in-ear headphones refresh a 10-year old design with added support for hi-res...

Gift Ideas?

Christmas Gift Guide 2024 for Hi-Fi, Headphones and Home Theater

Gift Guides

From headphones to home theater, these high performance audio gifts will exceed the expectation of any movie or music lover on your list.

You May Also Like

Bookshelf Speakers

Zu Audio hints of new products to debut at Capital Audio Fest from November 8-10, 2024, but photos and details are scarce.

Articles

Looking for the best bookshelf or stand-mounted speakers below $1,000 in 2023? We have 11 options that have impressed us enormously.

Articles

Looking for the best bookshelf or stand-mounted speakers below $1,000? We've awarded 10 loudspeakers that have impressed us enormously.

Articles

The definitive buying guide to the best bookshelf speakers from $300 to $1,400. Our picks from the best high-end brands.

Loudspeakers

The Danish speaker maker is hoping their new high-end loudspeaker lineup will help the company grow their footprint in North America.

Bookshelf Speakers

As Black Friday 2024 approaches, Amazon and KEF are teaming up with big discounts on some of the company's best loudspeakers.

Bookshelf Speakers

Starting at 3950 EUR per pair, the Buchardt Audio E50 Passive Bookshelf Speakers Deliver Danish Flair with a Healthy Appetite for Power.

Bookshelf Speakers

Bowers & Wilkins' entry-level 600 Series S3 loudspeakers feature new titanium tweeters, improved cabinet design and more.

Advertisement

ecoustics is a hi-fi and music magazine offering product reviews, podcasts, news and advice for aspiring audiophiles, home theater enthusiasts and headphone hipsters. Read more

Copyright © 1999-2024 ecoustics | Disclaimer: We may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.



SVS Bluesound PSB Speakers NAD Cambridge Audio Q Acoustics Denon Marantz Focal Naim Audio RSL Speakers