In this review, we will be comparing VELA BS 403 and Vela 2.0 VBS403-GB, two Passive Bookshelf speakers by ELAC.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of ELAC VELA BS 403 and Elac Vela 2.0 VBS403-GB first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | ELAC VELA BS 403 | Elac Vela 2.0 VBS403-GB |
|---|
| Brand | ELAC
Germany · founded 1926 | ELAC
Germany · founded 1926 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | handmade JET 5 folded ribbon tweeter | JET 6 AMT |
|---|
| Woofer | 6" Aluminum/Paper | 7" AS XR cone |
|---|
| Frequency response | 41-50k Hz | 41-50k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 86 dB | 86 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 4 ohms | 4 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 40-100 watts | Up to 100 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 7.10kg / 15.6lbs | 7.10kg / 15.6lbs |
|---|
| 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 | 14.25" x 7.5" x 9.4"
362 × 191 × 240 mm |
|---|
What size room are the ELAC VELA BS 403 and Elac Vela 2.0 VBS403-GB 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 |
Elac Vela 2.0 VBS403-GB |
| Near-field |
Poor |
Average |
| Small Room |
Average |
Good |
| Mid-size Room |
Good |
Average |
| Large Room |
Average |
Poor |
| Very Large Room |
Poor |
Bad |
(* 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 Vela 2.0 VBS403-GB are 2-way speakers.
ELAC VELA BS 403Elac Vela 2.0 VBS403-GB
Woofer
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 |
Elac Vela 2.0 VBS403-GB |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
-inch
|
-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 Vela 2.0 VBS403-GB features a " JET 6 AMT Tweeter and 1 x 7" AS XR cone Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2400 Hz.
Frequency Response
VELA BS 403 and Vela 2.0 VBS403-GB has exactly the same frequency range of 41-50k Hz.
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 Vela 2.0 VBS403-GB have the same Impedance of 4 ohms and their sensitivity is also same at 86 dB.
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.
Both handle the same maximum of 100 watts RMS, though VELA BS 403 is rated 40-100 watts and Vela 2.0 VBS403-GB Up to 100 watts.
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.
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Both VELA BS 403 and Vela 2.0 VBS403-GB have bottom firing ports.
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 Elac Vela 2.0 VBS403-GB'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 Elac Vela 2.0 VBS403-GB has external dimensions of 362 × 191 × 240 mm (14.25 x 7.52 x 9.4 inches).
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 Elac Vela 2.0 VBS403-GB is approximately 458.4cm2 / 71.1inch2. The VELA BS 403 requires 0% less surface area than the Vela 2.0 VBS403-GB 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 Elac Vela 2.0 VBS403-GB weighs 7.10kg / 15.6lbs.
Here is a comparison of how VELA BS 403 and Vela 2.0 VBS403-GB'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
 Height |
361mm
vs
362mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
456cm2
vs
458cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
2899USD
vs
2999USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Woofer Size |
7 inches
vs
6 inches
|
Larger woofer |
| General |
ELAC VELA BS 403 |
Elac Vela 2.0 VBS403-GB |
| Brand |
ELAC |
ELAC |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
| Power Range |
40-100 watts |
Up to 100 watts |
| Sensitivity |
86 dB |
86 dB |
| Impedance |
4 ohms |
4 ohms |
| Impedance |
n/a |
3.2 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
41-50k Hz |
41-50k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
6" |
7" |
| Woofer Composition |
Aluminum/Paper |
AS XR cone |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Tweeter Type |
handmade JET 5 folded ribbon tweeter |
JET 6 AMT |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
n/a |
2400 Hz |
| Firing Direction |
bottom |
bottom |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
361.0mm (14.2") |
362.0mm (14.3") |
| Width |
191.0mm (7.5") |
191.0mm (7.5") |
| Depth |
239.0mm (9.4") |
240.0mm (9.4") |
| Weight |
7.10kg (15.6lbs) |
7.10kg (15.6lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
MDF/Aluminum |
n/a |
| Available Colors |
Gloss Black |
Black High Gloss, White High Gloss |
| Mounting Bracket |
|
|
| Recommended Stand Height |
24-28" |
n/a |
| Grille |
No |
n/a |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
Yes |
n/a |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
3 Years |
|
| Labor Warranty |
3 Years |
|
A generation apart: Elac Vela 2.0 VBS403-GB is the newer design, against a 2018 model. Newer is not automatically better, but the older one is more likely to be discounted or near run-out.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | evenly matched | Much the same reach (41Hz vs 41Hz). |
| Amplifier needs | evenly matched | Similar sensitivity (86dB vs 86dB) - both want much the same power. |
| Headroom | evenly matched | Similar power handling (100W vs 100W). |
| Size | depends | Similar cabinet size - neither is easier to fit. |
| Expandability | A | ELAC VELA BS 403: bi-amping. |
| Price | evenly matched | Much the same money ($2,899 vs $2,999 a pair). |
A ELAC VELA BS 403 B Elac Vela 2.0 VBS403-GB
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?
ELAC VELA BS 403 has the edge on paper, though the margin is not large. The rows marked "depends" may matter more to you than the score does. Match it to your room: we rate ELAC VELA BS 403 the better fit for a mid-size room and a large room, and Elac Vela 2.0 VBS403-GB for near-field listening and a small room.
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.