ELAC Uni-Fi (Andrew Jones)

[m1ts0s]

ELAC Uni-Fi B5

"At CES 2016, Jones again had something new and amazing to show off. ELAC’s new UB5 (US$500/pair) standmount loudspeaker is a three-way with concentrically-configured 1″ tweeter / 4″ aluminium midrange driver and 5.25″aluminium bass driver, each sealed off in their own internal enclosure. The internal crossover network Jones describes as “more expensive, more advanced” and moves from bass to mid driver at 300Hz with the tweeter, a development of the B5’s soft dome, going out to 30kHz."

"The UB5 is backed by two more speakers, the Uni-Fi UF5 floor-stander ($1,000) and the Uni-Fi UC5 (pricing to be confirmed)."

"At the demonstration, he compared the UB5 to his own TAD-CE1 Compact Evolution One and said the ultra-high-end speaker was "50 times more expensive" but had hit "the law of diminishing returns"."

"The most significant changes being the addition of a newly designed 4” concentric driver consisting of a 4” aluminum midrange and 1” soft dome tweeter. Elac claims that by mounting the tweeter at the center of the midrange driver the audio reproduced is perceived as coming from the same point in space. This results in improved directivity throughout the crossover region and better off-axis frequency response. Bass is handled by a newly developed 5 ¼” aluminum woofer."

http://www.audioholics.com/surround-sound-reviews/elac-uni-fi
http://www.cnet.com/products/elac-uni-fi-ub5/
http://www.digitalaudioreview.net/2016/01/ces-2016-andrew-jones-does-it-again-with-elac-ub5/

http://elac.com/product-category/passive/uni-fi/

 

[spmk]

Καλο φαινεται....

 

[geo555]

sweet!!!

 

[m1ts0s]

A new chapter in coherent, concentric sound.

All three Uni-Fi loudspeakers—bookshelf, floorstanding and center-channel—employ a concentric driver. Because of its ideal time-domain characteristics, a concentric design—combining a tweeter and midrange diaphragm within a single voice coil—delivers the most coherent and accurate reproduction across the treble and midrange frequency spectrums. Because of their high cost, concentric drivers are traditionally used in only the most expensive speakers.

ELAC’s chief engineer Andrew Jones explains how Uni-Fi speakers build on a new foundation: “My goal with the Uni-Fi series was to create a line of speakers with technology and performance normally reserved for speakers costing significantly more. By going with a 3-way design and employing a new in-house developed concentric driver, I’ve achieved a sound that is more true to the music than similar priced products.”

Uni-Fi can be the basis of an outstanding two-channel system, or used to build an awe-inspiring multi-channel surround-sound system. Add an ELAC subwoofer to rock your world of music and movies like you never imagined.

Custom-designed concentric driver
The delicacy of a 1-inch soft-dome tweeter and the harmonic accuracy of a rigid aluminum 4-incbh midrange cone come together in a symphony of sonic perfection. Positioning the tweeter concentrically within the midrange voice coil achieves a uniform directivity pattern, for flat frequency response and formidable power handling, along with enhanced imaging for both on- and off-axis listening positions.

Balanced three-way design
A three-way speaker offers many advantages in the design of a full-range system. By assigning dedicated drivers to high, mid- and bass frequencies, each is optimized for the frequency range for which its design and material composition is best suited. Drivers like the groundbreaking concentric midrange-tweeter of the Uni-Fi series perform at their best, while larger, aluminum-cone woofers handle the frequency ranges in which they perform best. At the same time, a three-way speaker complement allows for a more straightforward crossover and cabinet design, eliminating complex and costly solutions.

Robust cabinets
Every Uni-Fi enclosure is engineered for the long run with thick MDF outer walls and a luxurious textured vinyl finish. The cabinets of the floorstanders and the channel incorporate specially designed internal bracing to add stiffness and strength to the cabinet’s outer walls. This bracing greatly reduces cabinet vibration, which causes unwanted coloration to the sound. ELAC believes that the only parts of a speaker that should be moving are the speaker drivers themselves.

High quality base and feet
An outrigger base design used for the UF5 provides a larger, more stable footprint and adds stability and optimum coupling of the speaker cabinet to the floor. Molded knobs dial in precise leveling of the four corners, which are supplied with metal spikes and spike stands, used according to whether the loudspeaker is placed on a soft or hard floor surface.

Sophisticated crossover
One secret to the great sound of the Uni-Fi series are the high quality, audio-grade components specified in the manufacture of each custom, three-way crossover, the careful design of which is essential to smooth transition between the drivers. The best crossovers are the ones in which the sonic landscape—from lowest fundamentals to highest highs—becomes seamless. This is the sound of Uni-Fi.

Sophisticated aluminum woofer
Through the use of aluminum, resonances that affect the linearity of common paper cones can be placed beyond the driver’s operating frequency range. An extended size magnet with vented pole piece increases power handling, for accurate reproduction of bass frequencies that are clean, clear and powerful.

Custom-designed binding posts
The custom terminals provide flexibility of speaker wire connections and ensure optimal electron transfer from speaker cables to the speaker itself. Details like this make the difference!

Magnetically attached fabric grilles
When the protective grille is removed, hidden magnets beneath the surface of the cabinet keeps the front panel free of attachment holes, for a clean appearance.

http://elac.com/product-category/passive/uni-fi/

 

[Gojakla]

καραLIKE!

 

[m1ts0s]

"ELAC’s ‘target price’ for the active UB5 is reportedly US$750. That’s a whole lot less moulah than demanded by the Rotel or the Audio Alchemy. In other words, the incremental cost of going active won’t be anywhere like that seen by old school audiophiles who wanna fight for their right to party with whatever amplifier and DAC takes their fancy. The cost of choice they”ll likely never figure.

As Jones explains in more detail in the video below, a Class D amplifier has been applied to the UB5’s 5″ bass driver whilst a less powerful Class A/B amplifier unit drives the 1″ tweeter and 4″ mid cone."



http://www.digitalaudioreview.net/2016/05/andrew-jones-talks-european-active-elac-ub5-loudspeaker/