Bookshelf Speaker Reviews

Elac Uni-Fi UB5 Speaker System Review Test Bench

Test Bench

Satellite Sensitivity: 85 dB from 500 Hz to 2 kHz

Center Sensitivity: 85 dB from 500 Hz to 2 kHz

1216elacsp.meas.jpg

This graph shows the quasi-anechoic (employing close-miking of all woofers) frequency response of the UB5 satellites (purple trace), S12EQ subwoofer (blue trace), and UC5 center channel (green trace). All passive loudspeakers were measured with grilles at a distance of 1 meter with a 2.83-volt input and scaled for display purposes.

The UB5’s listening-window response (a five-point average of axial and +/–15-degree horizontal and vertical responses) measures +1.98/–3.18 decibels from 200 hertz to 10 kilohertz. The –3dB point is at 58 Hz, and the –6dB point is at 42 Hz. Impedance reaches a minimum of 4.05 ohms at 132 Hz and a phase angle of –22.69 degrees at 73 Hz.

The UC5’s listening-window response measures +3.06/–3.41 dB from 200 Hz to 10 kHz. An average of axial and +/–15-degree horizontal responses measures +3.11/–2.77 dB from 200 Hz to 10 kHz. The –3dB point is at 54 Hz, and the –6dB point is at 46 Hz. Impedance reaches a minimum of 4.76 ohms at 463 Hz and a phase angle of –29.08 degrees at 80 Hz.

The S12EQ close-miked response, normalized to the level at 80 Hz, indicates that the lower –3dB point is at 20 Hz and the –6dB point is at 18 Hz. The upper –3dB point is at 144 Hz. Please note that there is a dip in the response of -3.94dB at 46 Hz when reset to factory defaults and without engaging the EQ.—MJP

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COMMENTS
kevon27's picture
Submitted by kevon27 on December 30, 2016 - 2:39am

I was not expecting the sub to measure this good. Impressive.

Mrsnikoph78's picture
Submitted by Mrsnikoph78 on December 30, 2016 - 11:12am

Wowsers - the Uni-Fi line and SUBEQ put up some pretty nice measurements. The built-in correct is great but honestly, my $500 sub with receiver-based Auto-EQ sounds amazing so I'd probably save the money.

As a proud owner of the pioneer line (with an upgraded 12 inch 300 watt sub), I can't help but notice that all of AJ's speaker lines have been relatively inefficient (they certainly love my beefy RZ-800 more than the old Yamaha).

Still its hard to accept that each step up is "better". I'd love to know how the speaker lines differ subjectively and objectively, as well as where the value "sweet spot" is. With the Pioneer Elite line on sale lately (with atmos!), I am tempted to step up. But the Pioneers really responded to my new Onkyo, so it is hard to think that spending 4X more is going to be 4X better.

katherinerose6's picture
Submitted by katherinerose6 on November 7, 2023 - 6:58am

In addition to compensating for the sub's proximity to the listening position, a delay palm tree removal auckland function might further improve the sub's overall system integration.

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