Kali Audio: kaliaudio.com Platinum Sponsor for The HiFi Summit 2021 Q2: thehifisummit.com/ Original Uni-Fi Reference Review: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/i5mcrbOpprWoZHk.html

Nothing like a good comparison between all the versions and with their response curves to boot. Makes it easier to get your point across. I love these kinds of reviews. Keep it up Joe!

Thanks for the review. There’s one thing I just can’t let go and always bugs me and that is people who love bass and compare the bass from bookshelf speakers. We know from studies that the bass accounts for an extremely large percentage of our preference in a speaker. If in fact you love bass, which I do too, you are going to use a subwoofer. If you are going to use a subwoofer it seems to me that you would evaluate the speaker from 80 Hz and above. Maybe you could do a separate leaderboard section containing speakers with subwoofer rating.

ELAC really needs to rethink their speaker designations and names. I'm into this stuff and have trouble keeping up with it. You can imagine newbies being thoroughly confused by what model is what....The slim difference between Debut and calling something Debut Reference or Uni-Fi 2.0 and "Reference" is enough to make you need a score card to keep up...What's next, the "Debut 3.0 Uni-Fi Reference F62"? Jeez....Oh well, as others have noted, ELAC needs to stop messing in the $600 - $1000 price point range and give us something like a F82 floor stander with two 8 inch drivers in the $1500 to $2000 range...in a cabinet built like the proverbial brick house.... The Uni-Fi 2.0 UB52 speakers are only about 9 months old. Did they REALLY need replacing?

I do miss my UB51'S. They sounded great on everything and gave you a very intimate experience with the music. They begged me to turn them up, and up, and up.

This was my first time seeing the reviewer. Enjoyable and well done..of you like bass in your speaker. I appreciate the graphs and measurements.

Original Unify UB5 all the way for me!!!! I used an equalizer to increase a little the highs and it is all sweet and sound!!!! :-)

"If you know me, I like bass!" 😍

I think the Uni-Fi Reference base response is tuned more neutral (louder) than the other speakers down to 80hz, where a subwoofer could potentially take over. Using a sub with the previous Uni-Fis might result in a slight dip between 100hz and 80hz, so I can see why the Reference gives up some base extension in order to get the response down to 80hz loud enough.

It's the rear port of the original causing the increased bass response. Obviously, if the back of the speakers were closer to a wall. If not, then I don't know why either :)

YES what I’ve been waiting for! Love the leaderboard

I think unibfibrefernce would be a great speaker. I wonder how they would compare to the more expensive kef r3 or reference 1 similar designs. Elac the poor man's kef

Not much on the distinction between the voicing of each speaker. The measurements don't really describe how they sound, other than the obvious relatively flat readings. Would've liked to have heard them A, B, as you did with the UB5 & UB52's. That would've been more helpful. Most of us who own the UF5's or UB52's would love to hear them beside the UBR or UFR's to see if the reference line are worth an upgrade.

That’s interesting, I didn’t know that Andrew put an emphasis on off axis in his designs. I have the UB5s and a Peach Tree Nova SE220, the combo was starting to sound a little too bright from a toed in setup. So I pointed them straight into the room and didn’t quiet fix the issue * Sidenote - I felt that I lost some imaging but that was expected because they were no longer toed in*. Since I didn’t get the results I had a crazy thought and decided to toe the speakers out, not only did it make it less fatiguing but the interesting thing is I had better imaging than when it was toed in.

Great job Joe , I got the ub52s finally they preform best on a powerful amp actually they sound great on my 59 pound tube amp the Doge 10 mk2 B series that amp has crazy Attack !and my Yamaha AS-1100 my smaller amps fall short ! The ub52s to me are a lil dry sounding

Flatter overall response is fine, but when combined with less bass, you end up with a thin sounding speaker. I am with you regarding bass; it is a " must have" for me and I will add a subwoofer to get it if necessary. Good review pointing out the differences between the 3 versions.

Love the leaderboard idea

Imo with the originals having to baseport in the back you're going to always have a little bit more bass than with the newer models still Loving my original UF5 towers and UB5'S great video!

Interesting. Looks like the UB52 are the sweet spot then. The human preference is usually a rolloff in the Highs, and that is aso what most RoomEQ systems reinforce. A Speaker with a natural HF rolloff will likely meet many people's preference...

Charles was an awesome guest!!!

I score them number 1, non bass lover here. Classical music orchestral is as real as it can get especially piano. Details, Soundstage and layering are top notch. Widest sound, thus no need for sweet spot positions, the whole family can enjoy it. Hits almost toward my Ora graphene headphones level sound except for bass.

Great review, and something to ponder: If you are going to pair them with a good sub-woofer anyway, why not go for the $600 Un-Fi 2.0 BR52 speakers instead of the $1000 UBR62 speakers? I mean like that is $400 to put toward the sub....that you might want anyway....For those NOT planning on a sub-woofer, then yeah, the new UBR62 would be the way to go...

Joe, this is reason we love you. You put it out there, good & bad. Thanks for this comparison, I'm starting with the Elac Debut 2.0 for L/C/R and looking for my next (and last) step up and the DBR and Uni-Fi's are logical ways to spend $$$. I understand your comments on bass preference but can you explain the apparent roll-off in the treble (and a surprise to AJ ???) that I haven't seen previously reported.

Hello Joe. Love you're videos very detailed informative and helpful. Would you consider to review BIC AMERICA V62SI Venturi bookshelf speakers. Keep up the good work.

Would like to see In-Wall speakers added to the Speaker Leaderboard. I was surprised that both B&W and Paradigm didn't show up on any of the columns on the Leaderboard. Both are outstanding speaker brands......

Excellent helpfull graphics.We also like deep bass!!Well done.

Hey Joe I still don’t get why they used smaller drivers on the reference towers…… paying a lot more for the fs’ers…..???

Good review but shouldn't a speaker be judged on overall sound quality. We all have our sound preferences, I like bass too but would give up a little of it if the overall sound is good. Add sub. Thanks for the review.

Thanks for the review. Do you know how this compares to the Bowers and Wilkins 606 Anniversary?

Svs i now is the same speaker for year but compare with the new elac wich one is the best

Speaker ratings by bass?

Bring on Kef R300 and compare with Elac Ubr62.

Ha that's funny because for me my only critique of the UBR62 is that I want less bass so that way they can be a more sensitive speaker to make them a more dynamic speaker without the need for external amps or having to sit closer. At least Andrew is honest with his specs which can't be said for other brands. If you need more bass my train of thought is get a subwoofer or two. I guess my question is with an 80hz crossover would you be able to hear the difference in bass between the models?

Doesn't really have anything to do with these speakers, but I love the intro/outro music.

What do you think of of the sound that Denon products output?

I know this is probably a stretch, but think about revisiting the bass measurement once you have some mileage on them, ie break in? Would be interesting either way...

Does mr Andrew Jones has ADD? So many new iterations which are not perse better than the first he came up with. The original UB5 or DB5 were not bad at all. Do need a little lift on the highs.

"I wouldnt really recommend them for desktop" Damn I was looking at UB52s for desktop because of concentric driver and soft tweeter (no harshness in your face) XD

Does this guy ever sleep!?!!??!!😂🤣

I'm using the Uni-Fi Reference as my LCR channels. If I were to use the UB5, or Uni-Fi 2.0 as surrounds, would they be a tonal/timbre match for my HT setup?

Well: The Uni-fi Reference is optimized for off-axis response. Off axis you will get less treble, which means, relatively speaking, more bass. Bass problem solved, yes???

JNT could you try the adam audio t7v or t8v? I went to demo them and the HS8's yesterday and for $500 - $700 all in for actives they were pretty great options and provided great bass response down into the mid 30's hz range.

What's up with AJ's speakers tapering off in the low-end here lately? Maybe we were just spoiled with the original Debuts and Uni-Fi's, but quite honestly...I've been really disappointed in his recent designs in that regards. The beauty of his original Elac speakers was that a sub was truly optional. I'd honestly like to know why this is a design choice now, especially in a price-point where everyone seemingly has speakers that measure flat (and some are even wrapped with real wood).

Pulling back the midrange for spatiality. I suppose. The midrange optimization is true for sure, I found the same, without measuring equipment. Tone ?

Interesting! So, would you recommend say the UB52’s with my SVS sub and save £500?

I actually use the UBR62's for desktop paired with the IOTAVX stack and a Monolith 788 dac/headphone amp and it was the best decision I ever made. The soundstage and imaging surprised me considering how close to the wall and nearfield I have them, so I don't understand why you wouldn't recommend them and push for monitors instead. They are absolutely phenomenal for gaming, and they scale great when pushed at higher volumes, especially compared to Q150's, Kali Audio IN5's, Presonus Eris E5 XT and Polk R100's. The bass is admittedly lacking but it is very quick and punchy, it's very clear and detailed and it blends exceptionally well with an SVS 1000 Pro which helps make the setup equally phenomenal for music, and at about the same price as the ARB-51 with a less pricey integrated amp, this setup is an absolute killer that can even be used for a home theater setup. In my opinion, you can't throw these under the bus just because you don't think there's enough bass since that's what subwoofers are for, especially when you put them under ARB-51's that are over double the price.

Is it just deep bass that brings it down for you? What about mid/upper? In other words does a sub solve all of that problem?

Found you on reddit , hope i get recommendation for headphone for music listening under $100

Joe i am seriously offended (respectfully) with your leaderboard choices. How could you put a boxy sounding Denton's 85 and put the 2.0 UB52 below it!? You need to do a Denton 85 vs 2.0 UB52 for the honor of Andrew Jones ;)

Where do the Pioneer Andrew Jones SP/BS22's fit in?

These look like they kinda slam too. That's too bad about the bass.

Your top is confusing! Please, edit it. On best overall sound you put R200 over Klipsh Fives but on under 1000$ top you do vice versa. What?!

What are the best speakers for under $1000 for listening to Coltrane meditation albums, Miles and others including Hugh Masekela? I have a Blue Sound Powernode and Definitive Pro60 sub. Thanks.

Referring to your sponsor - not the review! LOL!!

All about confusion these days🙂 Other reviews says the bass is excellent and more/or the same as ub52. But more detailed. I think they just Need juice! Alot of power. And then you will feel the bass even.. No reciever here. Go for something like hegel h120, rotel ra1592, nad c388 and so on:) even better with these would be a powerful tube amp like primaluna dialouge premium probably. I will test this. If its not enough subwoofer it is

First!

I think the Uni-Fi Reference base response is tuned more neutral (louder) than the other speakers down to 80hz, where a subwoofer could potentially take over. Using a sub with the previous Uni-Fis might result in a slight dip between 100hz and 80hz, so I can see why the Reference gives up some base extension in order to get the response down to 80hz loud enough.