In this review, we will be comparing Varro PS500-BK and Varro PS250-BK, two Powered Subwoofer speakers by ELAC. Being Powered subwoofers, they both have built-in amplifiers so you don't need an external power amp or an integrated amp to power them. Let's have a brief look at the main features of ELAC Varro PS500-BK and ELAC Varro PS250-BK first before getting into our more detailed comparison.
In the following sections, we will get into details in order to better understand how the ELAC Varro PS500-BK and ELAC Varro PS250-BK compare and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one of these subwoofers is the better choice for you.
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Drivers
The efficiency of a subwoofer is directly proportional to the total radiating are squared hence the woofer quantity and diameter.Both ELAC Varro PS500-BKand ELAC Varro PS250-BK have a single woofer setup however the ELAC Varro PS500-BK's woofer is 15-inch whereas the ELAC Varro PS250-BK features a 10-inch woofer.
Frequency Response
Varro PS500-BK has a frequency range of 20-150 Hz whereas Varro PS250-BK has a frequency range of 27-150 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 20Hz, the Varro PS500-BK can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Varro PS250-BK's min frequency of 27Hz.
Below graphs depict how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average values of the Min and Max Frequencies of other speakers in the Subwoofer class in our database.
Low Frequency
Subwoofer Speakers
High Frequency
Subwoofer Speakers
Cabinet Type
Both ELAC Varro PS500-BK and ELAC Varro PS250-BK have Bass Reflex type cabinets. Bass Reflex type subwoofers (aka Ported, Vented or Reflex Port) have enclosures that uses a port, hole or vent cut into the cabinet. Ported designs are generally more efficient than the Sealed designs.
Physical Specs
Size of a speaker can sometimes become an important decision factor due to space constraints or in some cases purely for esthetic reasons. In this section, we are going to compare ELAC Varro PS500-BK's and ELAC Varro PS250-BK's external dimensions. ELAC Varro PS500-BK has external dimensions of 482.0 x 461.0 x 461.0mm ( 18-15/16inch x 18-1/8inch x 18-1/8inch ) whereas ELAC Varro PS250-BK has external dimensions of 381.0 x 361.0 x 361.0mm ( 15inch x 14-3/16inch x 14-3/16inch ) .
ELAC Varro PS500-BK is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 100mm wider, 101mm taller and 100mm deeper than ELAC Varro PS250-BK.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of ELAC Varro PS500-BK and ELAC Varro PS250-BK in scale.
Comparison image of ELAC Varro PS500-BK and ELAC Varro PS250-BK Size and External Dimensions
Base Surface Area Comparison
Base surface area of a loudspeaker may become a determining factor when the space in your room or desk is limited.
The base surface area of the ELAC Varro PS500-BK is approximately 2125.2cm2 / 329.4inch2 and base area of the ELAC Varro PS250-BK is approximately 1303.2cm2 / 202.0inch2. The Varro PS500-BK requires 63% more surface area than the Varro PS250-BK which gives it a small disadvantage on placement in tight spaces.
Weight Comparison The weight of a subwoofer may become an important factor if you need to move and reposition the unit often to find the optimal positioning, also known as 'Subwoofer Crawling'. The ELAC Varro PS500-BK weighs 25.95kg / 57.1lbs and the ELAC Varro PS250-BK weighs 16.44kg / 36.2lbs. This makes the Varro PS500-BK 58% heavier than the Varro PS250-BK.
Here is a comparison of how Varro PS500-BK and Varro PS250-BK's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
What's in the Box of ELAC Varro PS500-BK?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Varro PS500-BK:
Grill Power Cord 4 Spikes
What's in the Box of ELAC Varro PS250-BK?
Here are the items that come with the Varro PS250-BK:
Grill Power Cord 4 Spikes
 Woofer Size |
15 inches
vs
10 inches
|
Larger woofer |
| Low Frequency Response |
20 Hz
vs
27 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Height |
381mm
vs
482mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1303cm2 (361x361mm)
vs
2125cm2 (461x461mm)
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
649USD
vs
999USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
ELAC Varro PS500-BK |
ELAC Varro PS250-BK |
| Brand |
ELAC |
ELAC |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
500 watts |
250 watts |
| Frequency Response |
20-150 Hz |
27-150 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
500-watt RMS |
250-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
1000-watt RMS |
500-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
15" |
10" |
| Woofer Composition |
Treated paper |
Treated paper |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
bottom |
bottom |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
482.0mm (19") |
381.0mm (15") |
| Width |
461.0mm (18.1") |
361.0mm (14.2") |
| Depth |
461.0mm (18.1") |
361.0mm (14.2") |
| Weight |
25.95kg (57.1lbs) |
16.44kg (36.2lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
MDF |
MDF |
| Available Colors |
Black |
Black |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| USB Port |
USB-A port for firmware updates |
USB-A port for firmware updates |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
1 year |
1 year |
| Labor Warranty |
1 year |
1 year |