Experts recommend SVS Ultra Bookshelf more than Elac Uni-fi UB5
As of 2 Apr 2024, experts prefer SVS Ultra Bookshelf over Elac Uni-fi UB5, but both Speakers have solid expert endorsements.
As per this month's meta ranking, SVS Ultra Bookshelf received 2 recommendations: from hifioasis.com (23 Jan 2024) and The Master Switch (4 Oct 2023). By contrast, Elac Uni-fi UB5 received only 1 recommendation from Rolling Stone (26 Jan 2021).
Rank | Change | Price | Speakers | hifioasis.com | What Hi-Fi | The Master Switch | Rolling Stone | Gear Patrol | T3 | Wirecutter | Pitchfork | ZD Net | SoundGuys |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
18 | - | $899 | SVS Ultra Bookshelf | 6 | - | 5 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
36 | N/A | Check price | Elac Uni-fi UB5 | - | - | - | 4 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Curious to see this month's entire Bookshelf Speakers ranking? It's here
Endorsement summary:
- On 26 Jan 2021 Rolling Stone ranked Elac Uni-fi UB5 as #4
Rank Speakers Comment ... ... ... #4 out of 4 Elac Uni-fi UB5 Best Audiophile PickSource: www.rollingstone.com - On 23 Jan 2024 hifioasis.com ranked SVS Ultra Bookshelf as #6
Rank Speakers Comment ... ... ... #6 out of 6 SVS Ultra Bookshelf Best of the RestSource: www.hifioasis.com - On 4 Oct 2023 The Master Switch ranked SVS Ultra Bookshelf as #5
Rank Speakers Comment ... ... ... #5 out of 17 SVS Ultra Bookshelf Best of the Rest... ... ... Source: www.themasterswitch.com
After counting and adding up the 80 expert endorsements of the April rankings, SVS Ultra Bookshelf outranks Elac Uni-fi UB5. This is not to say that Elac Uni-fi UB5 is a bad option. Like SVS Ultra Bookshelf, it is recommended by experts, but less.
Rank | Change | Price | Speakers | hifioasis.com | What Hi-Fi | The Master Switch | Rolling Stone | Gear Patrol | T3 | Wirecutter | Pitchfork | ZD Net | SoundGuys
|
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1 | - | $1539 | Kef LS50 The Kef LS50 bookshelf speakers are highly recommended for their exceptional sound quality, versatile frequency response, unique design, and range of connectivity options, making them suitable for a range of music genres and listening environments. | - | 1 | 3 | - |
2 | 7 | - | - | 4 | - |
2 | - | $359 | Q Acoustics 3020i The Q Acoustics 3020i bookshelf speakers offer excellent sound quality, versatility, and a modern design, making them a great option for audiophiles who prioritize accuracy and transparency in their sound system. | 5 | - | 4 | - | 9 | - | 2 | 7 | - | - |
3 | - | $700 | Elac Uni-Fi 2.0 | 1 | - | 1 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
4 | - | Check price | Bowers & Wilkins 606 S2 The Bowers & Wilkins 606 S2 Anniversary Edition bookshelf speaker delivers excellent sound performance across the frequency range, with punchy and dynamic bass, a wide frequency response, and a purposeful design, making it a great choice for music and home theater use. | - | - | 9 | - | 7 | 5 | - | - | 5 | - |
Show all rows |
Expert reviews [11]
- with a score: 6
- without a score: 5
Highest score by Digital Trends | 100 |
Average score based on 11 reviews | 92 |
Lowest score by What Hi-Fi | 80 |
Score distribution:
80-100 | |
60-80 | |
40-60 | |
20-40 | |
0-20 |
Expert reviews [10]
- with a score: 4
- without a score: 6
Highest score by HomeTheater Review | 100 |
Average score based on 10 reviews | 94 |
Lowest score by Audioholics | 90 |
Score distribution:
80-100 | |
60-80 | |
40-60 | |
20-40 | |
0-20 |
- Custom-designed Concentric driver
- Beautiful, furniture-quality finish
- Sophisticated crossover
- Sophisticated aluminum woofer
- Custom-designed binding posts
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- Reference bookshelf speakers with flawless tonal balance, stunning dynamics, unveiled highs and amazing low frequency extension. The Ultra Bookshelf speakers perform in the echelon of the world’s finest audiophile and home theater loudspeakers, yet cost a fraction of the price.
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Tweeters produce the highest frequencies in sound, typically anything above 2,000 Hz. Usually located at the top of the speaker, tweeters come in different shapes (detailed below) and sizes. Generally speaking, the size of the tweeter is not as important as the shape. But, for some guidance, consider that a larger tweeter (measured by diameter in inches or millimeters) will likely be louder and able to disperse sound over a larger area.
Speakers with midrange drivers (i.e., at least three-way speakers) have a distinct advantage over two-way speakers. Adding a midrange driver to the mix allows tweeters and woofers to focus on the sound waves they’re best equipped to produce—high tones and low tones respectively. More specific and focused drivers means more accurate, robust sound. Compared to the other drivers, midranges cover sounds, not surprisingly, in the middle of high/treble and low/bass tones. The human voice and most instruments fall into this range. For more sophisticated listeners, or for those who truly want the best sound reproduction, a midrange driver is crucial.
The woofer is the driver that is responsible for low frequency sounds and bass - crucial for well-rounded, booming sound. It is the biggest driver in size, and is usually shaped like a cone. When reviewing different bookshelf speakers, you will often see a measurement in the product name, starting as low as 4” and ranging to 6 ½” or more. This measurement refers to the diameter of the woofer. A general rule of thumb is a bigger woofer means louder, more powerful bass. But, as with any speaker metric, this number alone doesn’t describe the loudness of the speaker and should be taken into consideration with other measurements such as sensitivity, which describes the loudness of a speaker per watt.
- Comes with removable fabric grille
- 5-way custom binding posts
- Black brushed vinyl finish
- Real black oak veneer, and gloss white piano, and gloss black finish options
- Elastomer stick-on bumper feet
- Cloth grille has pin or cup retention system
SVS Ultra Bookshelf are a well-known and one of the most expensive options. They're in the top 3 bestselling speakers and have dozens of popular alternatives in the same price range, such as Kanto TUK or Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin .
SVS Ultra Bookshelf were released in 2013. There are a lot of newer speakers on the market. Show newer Speakers
SVS Ultra Bookshelf are $639.01 more expensive than average speakers ($259.99).