In this review, we will be comparing Vela 2.0 VBS403-GB and 706 S2, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from ELAC and Bowers Wilkins.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Elac Vela 2.0 VBS403-GB and B&W 706 S2 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Elac Vela 2.0 VBS403-GB | B&W 706 S2 |
|---|
| Brand | ELAC
Germany · founded 1926 | Bowers Wilkins
United Kingdom · founded 1966 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | JET 6 AMT | 1" Decoupled Soft-Dome |
|---|
| Woofer | 7" AS XR cone | 6.5" Continuum |
|---|
| Frequency response | 41-50k Hz | 50-28k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 86 dB | 88 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 4 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | Up to 100 watts | 30-120 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 7.10kg / 15.6lbs | 8.05kg / 17.7lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 14.25" x 7.5" x 9.4"
362 × 191 × 240 mm | 13.5" x 7.8" x 11.9"
340.0 x 200.0 x 301.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the Elac Vela 2.0 VBS403-GB and B&W 706 S2 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 2.0 VBS403-GB |
B&W 706 S2 |
| Near-field |
Average |
Poor |
| Small Room |
Good |
Average |
| Mid-size Room |
Average |
Good |
| Large Room |
Poor |
Average |
| Very Large Room |
Bad |
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.
Drivers
Both Vela 2.0 VBS403-GB and 706 S2 are 2-way speakers.
Elac Vela 2.0 VBS403-GBB&W 706 S2
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 2.0 VBS403-GB |
B&W 706 S2 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 7-inch
|
1 x 6.5-inch
|
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. On the other hand, the 706 S2 features a 1" Decoupled Soft-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 6.5" Continuum Woofer.
Frequency Response
Vela 2.0 VBS403-GB has a frequency range of 41-50k Hz whereas 706 S2 has a frequency range of 50-28k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 41Hz, the Vela 2.0 VBS403-GB can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the 706 S2's min frequency of 50Hz.
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 2.0 VBS403-GB is a 4 ohms speaker compared to the 706 S2 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 2.0 VBS403-GB can provide this impedance level.
These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. Vela 2.0 VBS403-GB sensitivity is rated at 86 dB and the 706 S2's is rated at 88 dB. This 2 dB difference makes the B&W 706 S2 a more sensitive speaker compared to Elac Vela 2.0 VBS403-GB, 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. Staying
within that range gives nominal performance; driving the speaker beyond its maximum wattage can damage it.
706 S2 can handle a max power of 120 watts RMS, whereas Vela 2.0 VBS403-GB has a max power handling value of 100 watts RMS, 20 watts less than the 706 S2.
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
Vela 2.0 VBS403-GB has a bottom firing port whereas 706 S2 has a rear firing ports. Elac Vela 2.0 VBS403-GB's bottom-firing port gives more flexibility in placement in regards to proximity to walls compared to B&W 706 S2 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 2.0 VBS403-GB's and B&W 706 S2's external dimensions. Elac Vela 2.0 VBS403-GB has external dimensions of 362 × 191 × 240 mm (14.25 x 7.52 x 9.4 inches) whereas B&W 706 S2 has external dimensions of 340.0 x 200.0 x 301.0mm (13.5-inch x 7.8-inch x 11.-inch).
Elac Vela 2.0 VBS403-GB is 9mm narrower and 61mm less deeper than B&W 706 S2 but it is also 22mm taller.
Size, drawn to scale
Both speakers and both views share one scale, so everything here is directly comparable. Hover a box for its dimensions.
One scale for both, standing on the same surface and pushed back to the same wall, so the deeper one visibly sticks out further.
B&W 706 S2 needs about 31% more floor or shelf area. B&W 706 S2 is 61mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. Elac Vela 2.0 VBS403-GB is 22mm taller.
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 2.0 VBS403-GB is approximately 458.4cm2 / 71.1inch2 and base area of the B&W 706 S2 is approximately 602.0cm2 / 93.3inch2. The Vela 2.0 VBS403-GB requires 24% less surface area than the 706 S2 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 2.0 VBS403-GB weighs 7.10kg / 15.6lbs and the B&W 706 S2 weighs 8.05kg / 17.7lbs. This makes the 706 S2 13% heavier than the Vela 2.0 VBS403-GB.
Here is a comparison of how Vela 2.0 VBS403-GB and 706 S2's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Bookshelf class.
Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
What's in the Box of B&W 706 S2?
Here are the items that come with the 706 S2:
- 2 Bookshelf loudspeakers
- 2 Grilles
- 2 Two-piece foam port plugs
- 8 Self-adhesive rubber feet
- 4 Jumper-straps
- Manual
- Bowers & Wilkins brochure
- Warranty Information
 Woofer Size |
7 inches
vs
6.5 inches
|
Larger woofer |
|
Low Frequency Response |
41 Hz
vs
50 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
50k Hz
vs
28k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Base Surface Area |
458cm2
vs
602cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Max Input Power |
120 watts
vs
100 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Sensitivity |
88 dB
vs
86 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Nominal Impedance |
8 ohms
vs
4 ohms
|
Less selective with amplifiers |
 Minimum Impedance |
3.7 ohms
vs
3.2 ohms
|
Very low impedance levels puts more pressure on amplifier |
 Height |
340mm
vs
362mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Price per pair* |
1999USD
vs
2999USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
Elac Vela 2.0 VBS403-GB |
Bowers & Wilkins 706 S2 |
| Brand |
ELAC |
Bowers Wilkins |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
| Power Range |
Up to 100 watts |
30-120 watts |
| Sensitivity |
86 dB |
88 dB |
| Impedance |
4 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Impedance |
3.2 ohms |
3.7 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
41-50k Hz |
50-28k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
7" |
6.5" |
| Woofer Composition |
AS XR cone |
Continuum |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
JET 6 AMT |
Decoupled Soft-Dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
2400 Hz |
n/a |
| Firing Direction |
bottom |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
362.0mm (14.3") |
340.0mm (13.4") |
| Width |
191.0mm (7.5") |
200.0mm (7.9") |
| Depth |
240.0mm (9.4") |
301.0mm (11.9") |
| Weight |
7.10kg (15.6lbs) |
8.05kg (17.7lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
n/a |
MDF/Wood Veneer |
| Available Colors |
Black High Gloss, White High Gloss |
Rosewood, Gloss Black, Satin White |
| Mounting Bracket |
|
No |
| Recommended Stand Height |
n/a |
24-26" |
| Grille |
n/a |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
n/a |
Yes |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
|
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
|
5 Years |
A generation apart: Elac Vela 2.0 VBS403-GB is the newer design, against a 2017 model. Newer is not automatically better, but the older one is more likely to be discounted or near run-out.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | A | Elac Vela 2.0 VBS403-GB digs deeper - 41Hz against 50Hz. A subwoofer would even that out. |
| Amplifier needs | B | B&W 706 S2 is more sensitive (88dB vs 86dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier. |
| Amplifier match | B | B&W 706 S2 is the easier load at 8 ohms; the other is 4 ohms and wants an amplifier rated for it. |
| Headroom | evenly matched | Similar power handling (100W vs 120W). |
| Size | depends | Similar cabinet size - neither is easier to fit. |
| Expandability | B | B&W 706 S2: bi-amping. |
| Price | B | B&W 706 S2 is cheaper - $1,999 against $2,999, about 33% less. |
A Elac Vela 2.0 VBS403-GB B B&W 706 S2
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?
B&W 706 S2 is the easier recommendation: it leads on most of the measured areas and costs less. Take Elac Vela 2.0 VBS403-GB 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 50Hz anyway, which makes the cheaper B&W 706 S2 much easier to justify. Match it to your room: we rate Elac Vela 2.0 VBS403-GB the better fit for near-field listening and a small room, and B&W 706 S2 for a mid-size room and a large 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.