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.
| Key Specs | ELAC VELA BS 403 | Buchardt S400 MKII |
|---|
| Brand | ELAC
Germany · founded 1926 | Buchardt
Denmark · founded 2014 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | handmade JET 5 folded ribbon tweeter | 0.74" aluminum waveguide |
|---|
| Woofer | 6" Aluminum/Paper | 6" paper |
|---|
| Frequency response | 41-50k Hz | 33-40k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 86 dB | 88 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 4 ohms | 4 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 40-100 watts | 40-200 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 7.10kg / 15.6lbs | 7.50kg / 16.5lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 14-3/16" x 7-1/2" x 9-3/8"
361.0 x 191.0 x 239.0mm | 14.4" x 7" x 11"
365.0 x 180.0 x 280.0mm |
|---|
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:
| Listening Environment* |
ELAC VELA BS 403 |
Buchardt S400 MKII |
| Near-field |
Poor |
Poor |
| Small Room |
Average |
Average |
| Mid-size Room |
Good |
Good |
| Large Room |
Average |
Average |
| Very Large Room |
Poor |
Poor |
(* Approximate Room sizes: Small < 100sq. ft / 9 m2,
Mid-size: 100-220 sq. ft / 9-20 m2, Large 220-400 sq. ft / 20-36 m2, Very Large: >
400 sq. ft / 36 m2.
Average Floor Height: 9" / 2.7m. Typical room sizes differ from country to country, and the actual
listening experience changes depending on floor height, room shape, surface materials, listening
position, speaker locations, etc.)
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
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through our links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Drivers
Both VELA BS 403 and S400 MKII are 2-way speakers.
ELAC VELA BS 403Buchardt S400 MKII
TweeterWoofer
Front view, drawn to scale - cabinets and drivers share one scale, so sizes are directly comparable. Hover a driver for its size.
| 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.
The graph below depicts how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average Low Frequency values of other speakers in the Bookshelf class in our database.
Low Frequency
Bookshelf Speakers
Neither pair reaches down to 20Hz, the usual definition of full-range, which is normal for speakers of this size. If you want the bottom octave for movies or bass-heavy music, add a subwoofer to whichever you choose. 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. Staying
within that range gives nominal performance; driving the speaker beyond its maximum wattage can damage it.
S400 MKII can handle a max power of 200 watts RMS, whereas VELA BS 403 has a max power handling value of 100 watts RMS, 100 watts less than the S400 MKII.
Note that higher power handling does not make a speaker louder: that depends mainly on
sensitivity and impedance. The calculator below shows how loud each of these actually plays
on a real amplifier.
Which plays louder on your amplifier?
Starting with a popular amplifier - change it to the one you own, or any you are
considering, and watch both numbers move.
Physical Specs
The size of a speaker can sometimes be 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 loudspeakers
- 4 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
vs
504cm2
|
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 |
No single best speaker here - they are built to different priorities, and the right one depends on your room, your amplifier and what you listen to.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | B | Buchardt S400 MKII digs deeper - 33Hz against 41Hz. A subwoofer would even that out. |
| Amplifier needs | B | Buchardt S400 MKII is more sensitive (88dB vs 86dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier. |
| Headroom | B | Buchardt S400 MKII takes more power (200W vs 100W) - more in hand in a big room. |
| Size | depends | Similar cabinet size - neither is easier to fit. |
| Cabinet | depends | Ported vs Passive Radiator. |
| Expandability | A | ELAC VELA BS 403: bi-amping. |
| Price | B | Buchardt S400 MKII is cheaper - $2,200 against $2,899, about 24% less. |
A ELAC VELA BS 403 B Buchardt S400 MKII
depends neither is better in the abstract - it turns on your room, your system or how you will use them. Only specs published for both speakers are judged; anything missing on either side is left out rather than guessed.
Which should you choose?
Buchardt S400 MKII is the easier recommendation: it leads on most of the measured areas and costs less. Take ELAC VELA BS 403 if its size, looks or fit in your room suit you better. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 41Hz anyway, so judge these on the other rows instead. If your amplifier is modest, vintage or valve-based, Buchardt S400 MKII is the safer partner - the other will want more current or more watts to sound its best.
And remember what a spec sheet cannot show: how each looks in your room and whether the finish suits it, what dealer support and warranty are like where you live, and how they actually sound to you. If you can hear them first - ideally with your own music - that will tell you more than any number above.