In this review, we will be comparing VELA BS 403 and Evoke 30, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from ELAC and Dynaudio.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of ELAC VELA BS 403 and Dynaudio Evoke 20 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | ELAC VELA BS 403 | Dynaudio Evoke 20 |
|---|
| Brand | ELAC
Germany · founded 1926 | Dynaudio
Denmark · founded 1977 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | handmade JET 5 folded ribbon tweeter | 1.1" |
|---|
| Woofer | 6" Aluminum/Paper | 7" Magnesium Silicate Polymer |
|---|
| Frequency response | 41-50k Hz | 40-23k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 86 dB | 86 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 4 ohms | 6 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 40-100 watts | up to 180 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 7.10kg / 15.6lbs | 9.90kg / 21.8lbs |
|---|
| 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 | 15" x 8.5" x 12.5"
380.0 x 215.0 x 317.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the ELAC VELA BS 403 and Dynaudio Evoke 20 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 |
Dynaudio Evoke 20 |
| 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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Drivers
Both VELA BS 403 and Evoke 30 are 2-way speakers.
ELAC VELA BS 403Dynaudio Evoke 20
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 |
Dynaudio Evoke 20 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
-inch
|
1.1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 6-inch
|
1 x 7-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 Evoke 30 features a 1.1" Cerotar with Hexis Tweeter and 1 x 7" Magnesium Silicate Polymer Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 3200Hz.
Frequency Response
VELA BS 403 has a frequency range of 41-50k Hz whereas Evoke 30 has a frequency range of 40-23k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 40Hz, the Evoke 30 can go slightly deeper then 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 is a 4 ohms speaker compared to the Evoke 30 which has a nominal impedance of 6 ohms. Lower impedance speakers, especially the ones that are rated at 4 ohms may put more pressure on the amplifier unit especially when played at high volume levels, so make sure the amp you pair with the VELA BS 403 can provide this impedance level.
On the other hand, they have the same sensitivity of 86 dBdB.
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.
Evoke 30 can handle a max power of 180 watts RMS, whereas VELA BS 403 has a max power handling value of 100 watts RMS, 80 watts less than the Evoke 30.
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.
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
VELA BS 403 features Binding post posts which make bi-amping or bi-wiring possible. Evoke 30 has a Binding post which doesn't feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
ELAC VELA BS 403's Binding post terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring
Dynaudio Evoke 20's Binding post terminals
Cabinet Type and Port Position
VELA BS 403 has a bottom firing port whereas Evoke 30 has a rear firing ports. ELAC VELA BS 403's bottom-firing port gives more flexibility in placement in regards to proximity to walls compared to Dynaudio Evoke 20 with its rear-firing port.
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 Dynaudio Evoke 20'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 Dynaudio Evoke 20 has external dimensions of 380.0 x 215.0 x 317.0mm (15 x 8.5 x 12.1inch).
Dynaudio Evoke 20 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 24mm wider, 19mm taller and 78mm deeper than ELAC VELA BS 403.
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 Dynaudio Evoke 20 is approximately 681.6cm2 / 105.6inch2. The VELA BS 403 requires 33% less surface area than the Evoke 30 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 Dynaudio Evoke 20 weighs 9.90kg / 21.8lbs. This makes the Evoke 30 39% heavier than the VELA BS 403.
Here is a comparison of how VELA BS 403 and Evoke 30'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
What's in the Box of Dynaudio Evoke 20?
Here are the items that come with the Evoke 30:
 High Frequency Response |
50k Hz
vs
23k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Bi-Amping and Bi-Wiring |
Yes
vs
No
|
Allows bi-amping and bi-wiring connections |
 Height |
361mm
vs
380mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
456cm2
vs
681cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
2899USD
vs
4798USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Max Input Power |
180 watts
vs
100 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Nominal Impedance |
6 ohms
vs
4 ohms
|
Less selective with amplifiers |
 Woofer Size |
7 inches
vs
6 inches
|
Larger woofer |
|
Low Frequency Response |
40 Hz
vs
41 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
| General |
ELAC VELA BS 403 |
Dynaudio Evoke 20 |
| Brand |
ELAC |
Dynaudio |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Floor-standing speaker |
| Power Range |
40-100 watts |
up to 180 watts |
| Sensitivity |
86 dB |
86 dB |
| Impedance |
4 ohms |
6 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
41-50k Hz |
40-23k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
6" |
7" |
| Woofer Composition |
Aluminum/Paper |
Magnesium Silicate Polymer |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
1.1" |
| Tweeter Type |
handmade JET 5 folded ribbon tweeter |
n/a |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
n/a |
3200Hz |
| Firing Direction |
bottom |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
361.0mm (14.2") |
380.0mm (15") |
| Width |
191.0mm (7.5") |
215.0mm (8.5") |
| Depth |
239.0mm (9.4") |
317.0mm (12.5") |
| Weight |
7.10kg (15.6lbs) |
9.90kg (21.8lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
MDF/Aluminum |
MDF/Wood veneer |
| Available Colors |
Gloss Black |
Black |
| Mounting Bracket |
|
No |
| Recommended Stand Height |
24-28" |
n/a |
| Grille |
No |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
Yes |
No |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
3 Years |
5 Years (8 Years registered) |
| Labor Warranty |
3 Years |
5 Years (8 Years registered) |
These sit in different price classes - Dynaudio Evoke 20 costs roughly 1.7x what ELAC VELA BS 403 does. Expect it to lead on paper; the question is whether the gap is audible enough in your room to be worth it.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | evenly matched | Much the same reach (41Hz vs 40Hz). |
| Amplifier needs | evenly matched | Similar sensitivity (86dB vs 86dB) - both want much the same power. |
| Amplifier match | B | Dynaudio Evoke 20 is the easier load at 6 ohms; the other is 4 ohms and wants an amplifier rated for it. |
| Headroom | B | Dynaudio Evoke 20 takes more power (180W vs 100W) - more in hand in a big room. |
| Size | depends | ELAC VELA BS 403 is easier to place; Dynaudio Evoke 20 is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Expandability | A | ELAC VELA BS 403: bi-amping. |
| Price | A | ELAC VELA BS 403 is cheaper - $2,899 against $4,798, about 40% less; arguably a different class. |
A ELAC VELA BS 403 B Dynaudio Evoke 20
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?
Dynaudio Evoke 20 is ahead, but only on 1 of the measured areas, and it costs about 66% more. That is a lot of money for a narrow margin on paper - ELAC VELA BS 403 looks like the sensible buy unless something else about the Dynaudio Evoke 20 appeals to you. In a large or open-plan room, Dynaudio Evoke 20 has the cabinet volume to fill it more easily; in a small room, near a wall or at desk distance, ELAC VELA BS 403 is the easier speaker to get right. If your amplifier is modest, vintage or valve-based, Dynaudio Evoke 20 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.