In this review, we will be comparing two different types of speakers by ELAC. Elac Vela 2.0 VBS404.2-GB is a Bookshelf speaker whereas the VELA FS 407 is a Floor-standing speaker.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Elac Vela 2.0 VBS404.2-GB and ELAC VELA FS 407 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Elac Vela 2.0 VBS404.2-GB | ELAC VELA FS 407 |
|---|
| Brand | ELAC
Germany · founded 1926 | ELAC
Germany · founded 1926 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 3-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | JET 6 AMT | handmade JET 5 folded ribbon |
|---|
| Midrange | — | 6" |
|---|
| Woofer | 6" AS XR cone | 6" Aluminum/Paper |
|---|
| Frequency response | 38-50k Hz | 30-50k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 87 dB | 88 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 4 ohms | 4 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | Up to 120 watts | 40-130 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 9.70kg / 21.3lbs | 19.14kg / 42.1lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 16.2" x 10.9" x 13"
412 x 276 x 332 mm | 40-1/4" x 8-13/16" x 10-3/4"
1023.0 x 224.0 x 274.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the Elac Vela 2.0 VBS404.2-GB and ELAC VELA FS 407 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 VBS404.2-GB |
ELAC VELA FS 407 |
| Near-field |
Poor |
Bad |
| Small Room |
Average |
Poor |
| Mid-size Room |
Good |
Good |
| Large Room |
Average |
Good |
| 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.
Drivers
One of the fundamental differences between these two speakers is that Vela 2.0 VBS404.2-GB is a 2-way design whereas the VELA FS 407 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.
Elac Vela 2.0 VBS404.2-GBELAC VELA FS 407
MidrangeWoofer
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 VBS404.2-GB |
ELAC VELA FS 407 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
3-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
-inch
|
-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
1 x 6-inch |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 6-inch
|
1 x 6-inch
|
Vela 2.0 VBS404.2-GB features a " JET 6 AMT Tweeter and 1 x 6" AS XR cone Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2400 Hz. On the other hand, the VELA FS 407 features a " handmade JET 5 folded ribbon Tweeter, a 6" Midrange and 1 x 6" Aluminum/Paper Woofer.
Frequency Response
Vela 2.0 VBS404.2-GB has a frequency range of 38-50k Hz whereas VELA FS 407 has a frequency range of 30-50k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 30Hz, the VELA FS 407 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Vela 2.0 VBS404.2-GB's min frequency of 38Hz.
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 VBS404.2-GB and VELA FS 407 have the same Impedance of 4 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. Vela 2.0 VBS404.2-GB sensitivity is rated at 87 dB and the VELA FS 407's is at 88 dB. This 1 dB difference makes the ELAC VELA FS 407 a more sensitive speaker compared to Elac Vela 2.0 VBS404.2-GB, 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 2.0 VBS404.2-GB and the Vela 2.0 VBS404.2-GB 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.
VELA FS 407 can handle a max power of 130 watts RMS, whereas Vela 2.0 VBS404.2-GB has a max power handling value of 120 watts RMS, 10 watts less than the VELA FS 407.
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.
Elac Vela 2.0 VBS404.2-GB
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 VBS404.2-GB's and ELAC VELA FS 407's external dimensions. Elac Vela 2.0 VBS404.2-GB has external dimensions of 412 x 276 x 332 mm (16.22 x 10.87 x 13.07 inches) whereas ELAC VELA FS 407 has external dimensions of 1023.0 x 224.0 x 274.0mm (40-1/4 x 8-13/16 x 10-3/4inch).
ELAC VELA FS 407 is 52mm narrower and 58mm less deeper than Elac Vela 2.0 VBS404.2-GB but it is also 611mm 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.
Elac Vela 2.0 VBS404.2-GB needs about 49% more floor or shelf area. Elac Vela 2.0 VBS404.2-GB is 58mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. ELAC VELA FS 407 is 611mm 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 VBS404.2-GB is approximately 916.3cm2 / 142.0inch2 and base area of the ELAC VELA FS 407 is approximately 613.8cm2 / 95.1inch2. The Vela 2.0 VBS404.2-GB requires 49% more surface area than the VELA FS 407 which gives it a small disadvantage on placement in tight spaces.
What's in the Box of ELAC VELA FS 407?
Here are the items that come with the VELA FS 407:
- Floorstanding loudspeaker
- Base plate
- 2 Jumper straps (pre-installed)
- 4 Spikes
- 4 Pucks
- 4 Rubber pads
- 4 Machine screws
- 4 Washers
- Hex-key
- Operating And Safety Instructions