Elac Uni-Fi BS U5 Slim Bookshelf Speaker (Pair) - Ex. Demonstration

Uni-Fi Slim are the latest additions to the Uni-Fi family of bookshelf, floorstanding and center-channel speakers. The Slim series brings a sophisticated European flair to Uni-Fi, with cabinets that are slimmer, taller and deeper than the originals. And each comes in a high-quality satin painted black or white finish to complement the most elegant décor.

Like the originals, each model in the Slim series is designed by Andrew Jones, and employs the same concentric driver responsible for the award-winning sound of Uni-Fi. Ideal time-domain characteristics result from combining a tweeter and midrange diaphragm within a single voice coil—delivering the most coherent and accurate reproduction across the treble and midrange frequency spectrums. Importantly, Uni-Fi Slim sounds exactly the same as Uni-Fi, employing an identical driver complement, crossover, internal cabinet structure and volume. Only the shape and cabinet are even more refined, featuring a smaller footprint and smooth, satin finish.

ELAC’s chief engineer Andrew Jones explains how Uni-Fi Slim speakers are built on the same foundation: “My goal with the original 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. With Uni-Fi Slim, design-conscious listeners can enjoy the same outstanding sound along with more elegant proportions ad slim, high-quality cosmetics.”

Uni-Fi Slim 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 for the last word in music and movie soundtrack reproduction.

The delicacy of a 1-inch soft-dome tweeter and the harmonic accuracy of a rigid aluminum 4-inch 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.

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 Slim 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.

The Uni-Fi Slim enclosures are narrower, taller and deeper than the original Uni-Fi series, engineered for the long run with thick MDF outer walls. Yet each has been carefully engineered to maintain the same internal volume, resulting in sonic characteristics indistinguishable from the originals. The cabinets 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.

The other difference that distinguishes Uni-Fi Slim is the elegant matt-satin paint finish of the outer cabinets. Instead of being wrapped in black brushed vinyl, Slim upgrades the appearance and feel with a durable surface as elegant as it is durable.

An outrigger base design used for the FS U5 Slim 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.

One secret to the great sound of the Uni-Fi Slim 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.

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.

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!

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.

Space constraints should never compromise great sound, and the Uni-Fi BS U5 Slim is the perfect solution when floor space is at a premium, but audiophile sound and refined good looks are not negotiable. Using the same outstanding driver and crossover components of its bigger brother, this compact, 3-way, bass-reflex monitor delivers the sonic signature of Uni-Fi in a smaller package.