In this review, we will be comparing VELA BS 403 and R3, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from ELAC and KEF. Let's have a brief look at the main features
of ELAC VELA BS 403 and KEF R3 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
What size room are the ELAC VELA BS 403 and KEF R3 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 KEF R3 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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through my links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Drivers
One of the fundamental differences between these two speakers is that VELA BS 403 is a 2-way design whereas the R3 is a 3-way speaker. 3-way designs utilize a midrange driver in addition to the tweeter and woofer on 2-way designs. Designing a crossover for a 3-way speaker is a complicated process and generally increases the overall cost of the speaker.
| Driver |
ELAC VELA BS 403 |
KEF R3 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
3-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
1 x 5-inch |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 6-inch
|
1 x 6.5-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 R3 features a 1" aluminum Dome Tweeter , a 5" Midrange and 1 x 6.5" Hybrid aluminum Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 400Hz and 2900Hz.
Frequency Response
VELA BS 403 has a frequency range of 41-50k Hz whereas R3 has a frequency range of 52-28k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 41Hz, the VELA BS 403 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the R3's min frequency of 52Hz.
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 is a 4 ohms speaker compared to the R3 which has a nominal impedance of 8 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.
These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. VELA BS 403 sensitivity is rated at 86 dB and the R3's is rated at 87 dB. This 1 dB difference makes the KEF R3 a more sensitive speaker compared to ELAC VELA BS 403, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
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 180 watts RMS from the amp the whereas VELA BS 403 has a max power handling value of 100 watts RMS , 80 watts less than the R3.
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.
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
Both VELA BS 403 and R3 features dual binding post speaker terminals for bi-amping or bi-wiring.
ELAC VELA BS 403's Binding post terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring
Cabinet Type and Port Position
VELA BS 403 has a bottom firing port whereas R3 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 KEF R3 with its rear-firing port.
KEF R3 Port
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 KEF R3'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 KEF R3 has external dimensions of 423.0 x 199.0 x 337.0mm ( 16-5/8 x 7-13/16 x 13-1/4inch) .
KEF R3 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 8mm wider, 62mm taller and 98mm 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 KEF R3 is approximately 670.6cm2 / 103.9inch2. The VELA BS 403 requires 32% less surface area than the R3 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 KEF R3 weighs 13.55kg / 29.8lbs. This makes the R3 91% heavier than the VELA BS 403.
Here is a comparison of how VELA BS 403 and R3'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
What's in the Box of KEF R3?
Here are the items that come with the R3:
2 Bookshelf loudspeakers2 Grilles2 Foam port plugs8 Self-adhesive rubber feetUser ManualWarranty Information
 Low Frequency Response |
41 Hz
vs
52 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
50k Hz
vs
28k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
361mm
vs
423mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
456cm2 (191x239mm)
vs
670cm2 (199x337mm)
|
Takes less floor space |
 Max Input Power |
180 watts
vs
100 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Driver Setup |
3-way
vs
2-way
|
Have a dedicated mid-range driver |
 Sensitivity |
87 dB
vs
86 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Nominal Impedance |
8 ohms
vs
4 ohms
|
Less selective with amplifiers |
| Woofer Size |
6.5 inches
vs
6 inches
|
Larger woofer |
 Price per pair* |
2200USD
vs
2899USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
ELAC VELA BS 403 |
KEF R3 |
| Brand |
ELAC |
KEF |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
| Power Range |
40-100 watts |
15-180 watts |
| Sensitivity |
86 dB |
87 dB |
| Impedance |
4 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Impedance |
n/a |
3.2 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
41-50k Hz |
52-28k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
6" |
6.5" |
| Woofer Composition |
Aluminum/Paper |
Hybrid aluminum |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
handmade JET 5 folded ribbon tweeter |
Dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
5" |
| Crossover Frequency |
n/a |
400Hz and 2900Hz |
| Firing Direction |
bottom |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
361.0mm (14.2") |
423.0mm (16.7") |
| Width |
191.0mm (7.5") |
199.0mm (7.8") |
| Depth |
239.0mm (9.4") |
337.0mm (13.3") |
| Weight |
7.10kg (15.6lbs) |
13.55kg (29.8lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
MDF/Aluminum |
MDF/Lacquer |
| Available Colors |
Gloss Black |
Black Gloss, White Gloss, Walnut |
| Mounting Bracket |
|
No |
| Recommended Stand Height |
24-28" |
n/a |
| Grille |
No |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
Yes |
Yes |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
3 Years |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
3 Years |
5 Years |