In this review, we will be comparing VELA BS 403 and S400 MKII, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from ELAC and Buchardt. Let's have a brief look at the main features
of ELAC VELA BS 403 and Buchardt S400 MKII first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
What size room are the ELAC VELA BS 403 and Buchardt S400 MKII speakers good for?
The size of the room in which you are planning to use these loudspeakers is an important decision factor. Here we have compared their suitability to various sizes of environments considering their size and max power parameters:
In the following sections, we will get into more detail in order to better understand how the ELAC VELA BS 403 and Buchardt S400 MKII compare and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one of these loudspeakers is the better choice for you.
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Drivers
Both VELA BS 403 and S400 MKII are 2-way speakers.
| Driver |
ELAC VELA BS 403 |
Buchardt S400 MKII |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
-inch
|
0.74-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 6-inch
|
1 x 6-inch
|
VELA BS 403 features a " handmade JET 5 folded ribbon tweeter Tweeter and 1 x 6" Aluminum/Paper Woofer . On the other hand, the S400 MKII features a 0.74" fine weave soft fabric textile aluminum waveguide Tweeter and 1 x 6" paper Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 1800Hz.
Frequency Response
VELA BS 403 has a frequency range of 41-50k Hz whereas S400 MKII has a frequency range of 33-40k HZ. With a minimum frequency of 33Hz, the S400 MKII can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the VELA BS 403's min frequency of 41Hz.
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 Bookshelf class in our database.
Low Frequency
Bookshelf Speakers
High Frequency
Bookshelf Speakers
None of these speakers achieves full range experience which is commonly agreed as 20Hz-20kHz. In order to achieve lower lows / deeper bass, we recommend you pair these with a subwoofer. Visit our Powered Subwoofers section to find out more about the available options.
Impedance and Sensitivity
VELA BS 403 and S400 MKII have the same Impedance of 4 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. VELA BS 403 sensitivity is rated at 86 dB and the S400 MKII's is at 88 dB. This 2 dB difference makes the Buchardt S400 MKII a more sensitive speaker compared to ELAC VELA BS 403, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
One thing to keep in mind that the lower impedance speakers, especially the ones that are rated at 4 ohms may put more pressure on the amplifier unit comared to higher impedance speakers especially at high volume levels, so make sure the amp you pair with the VELA BS 403 and the VELA BS 403 can provide this impedance level.
Sensitivity
Bookshelf Speakers
Power Range
Power
range is the range of input power in watts RMS that a loudspeaker is designed to handle. While using an amplifier within this range ensures the nominal performance , inputting a power that is higher than the max wattage can result in a damaged speaker.
VELA BS 403 can handle a max power of 200 watts RMS from the amp the whereas VELA BS 403 has a max power handling value of 100 watts RMS , 100 watts less than the S400 MKII.
Keep in mind that a higher max power handling value doesn't necessarily make that a louder speaker
compared to a lower max handling speaker. Loudness or the sound level is also impacted by parameters
such as Impedance, sensitivity and system efficiencies.
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 VELA BS 403's and Buchardt S400 MKII's external dimensions. ELAC VELA BS 403 has external dimensions of 361.0 x 191.0 x 239.0mm ( 24-28inch x 7-1/2inch x 9-3/8inch ) whereas Buchardt S400 MKII has external dimensions of 365.0 x 180.0 x 280.0mm ( 14.4 x 7 x 11inch) .
ELAC VELA BS 403 is 4mm shorter and 41mm less deeper than Buchardt S400 MKII but it is also 11mm wider.
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 VELA BS 403 is approximately 456.5cm2 / 70.8inch2 and base area of the Buchardt S400 MKII is approximately 504.0cm2 / 78.1inch2. The VELA BS 403 requires 9% less surface area than the S400 MKII which gives it a small advantage on placement in tight spaces.
Weight Comparison The weight of a loudspeaker can become an important factor if you need to move and reposition the unit often. Weight of a speaker can also "sometimes" be an indicator of the rigidity of the enclosure and the quality of the internal components used. The ELAC VELA BS 403 weighs 7.10kg / 15.6lbs and the Buchardt S400 MKII weighs 7.50kg / 16.5lbs. This makes the S400 MKII 6% heavier than the VELA BS 403.
Here is a comparison of how VELA BS 403 and S400 MKII's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Bookshelf class.
Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
What's in the Box of ELAC VELA BS 403?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of VELA BS 403:
2 Bookshelf loudspeakers4 Jumper straps (pre-installed)Operating And Safety Instructions
 High Frequency Response |
50k Hz
vs
40k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
361mm
vs
365mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
456cm2 (191x239mm)
vs
504cm2 (180x280mm)
|
Takes less floor space |
 Max Input Power |
200 watts
vs
100 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Sensitivity |
88 dB
vs
86 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Low Frequency Response |
33 Hz
vs
41 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Passive Radiator |
one 5x8-inch
vs
None
|
Increases the bass performance |
 Price per pair* |
2200USD
vs
2899USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
ELAC VELA BS 403 |
Buchardt S400 MKII |
| Brand |
ELAC |
Buchardt |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
| Power Range |
40-100 watts |
40-200 watts |
| Sensitivity |
86 dB |
88 dB |
| Impedance |
4 ohms |
4 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
41-50k Hz |
33-40k HZ |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
6" |
6" |
| Woofer Composition |
Aluminum/Paper |
paper |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
n/a |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
0.74" |
| Tweeter Type |
handmade JET 5 folded ribbon tweeter |
aluminum waveguide |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
n/a |
1800Hz |
| Firing Direction |
bottom |
n/a |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
361.0mm (14.2") |
365.0mm (14.4") |
| Width |
191.0mm (7.5") |
180.0mm (7.1") |
| Depth |
239.0mm (9.4") |
280.0mm (11") |
| Weight |
7.10kg (15.6lbs) |
7.50kg (16.5lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Passive Radiator |
| Finish |
MDF/Aluminum |
n/a |
| Available Colors |
Gloss Black |
Black, White, Walnut, Rosewood, Light Oak |
| Mounting Bracket |
|
No |
| Recommended Stand Height |
24-28" |
n/a |
| Grille |
No |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
Yes |
n/a |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
3 Years |
10 years |
| Labor Warranty |
3 Years |
10 years |