In this review, we will be comparing Vela 2.0 VBS404.2-GB 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 2.0 VBS404.2-GB and Elac Vela 2.0 VBS403-GB first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Elac Vela 2.0 VBS404.2-GB | Elac Vela 2.0 VBS403-GB |
|---|
| Brand | ELAC
Germany · founded 1926 | ELAC
Germany · founded 1926 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | JET 6 AMT | JET 6 AMT |
|---|
| Woofer | 6" AS XR cone | 7" AS XR cone |
|---|
| Frequency response | 38-50k Hz | 41-50k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 87 dB | 86 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 4 ohms | 4 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | Up to 120 watts | Up to 100 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 9.70kg / 21.3lbs | 7.10kg / 15.6lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 16.2" x 10.9" x 13"
412 x 276 x 332 mm | 14.25" x 7.5" x 9.4"
362 × 191 × 240 mm |
|---|
Vela 2.0 VBS404.2-GB and Vela 2.0 VBS403-GB are members of ELAC's Vela 2.0 series of speakers. Below you can find the loudspeakers from this series.
ELAC Vela 2.0 Series
History
What size room are the Elac Vela 2.0 VBS404.2-GB 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 2.0 VBS404.2-GB |
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.
Drivers
Both Vela 2.0 VBS404.2-GB and Vela 2.0 VBS403-GB are 2-way speakers.
Elac Vela 2.0 VBS404.2-GBElac 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 2.0 VBS404.2-GB |
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 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 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 2.0 VBS404.2-GB has a frequency range of 38-50k Hz whereas Vela 2.0 VBS403-GB has a frequency range of 41-50k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 38Hz, the Vela 2.0 VBS404.2-GB can go slightly deeper then the Vela 2.0 VBS403-GB'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 2.0 VBS404.2-GB and Vela 2.0 VBS403-GB 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 2.0 VBS403-GB's is at 86 dB. This 1 dB difference makes the Elac Vela 2.0 VBS404.2-GB a more sensitive speaker compared to Elac Vela 2.0 VBS403-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 2.0 VBS404.2-GB 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 Vela 2.0 VBS404.2-GB.
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
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Both Vela 2.0 VBS404.2-GB 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 2.0 VBS404.2-GB's and Elac Vela 2.0 VBS403-GB'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 2.0 VBS403-GB has external dimensions of 362 × 191 × 240 mm (14.25 x 7.52 x 9.4 inches).
Elac Vela 2.0 VBS404.2-GB is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 85mm wider, 50mm taller and 92mm deeper than Elac Vela 2.0 VBS403-GB.
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 100% more floor or shelf area. Elac Vela 2.0 VBS404.2-GB is 92mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. Elac Vela 2.0 VBS404.2-GB is 50mm 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 2.0 VBS403-GB is approximately 458.4cm2 / 71.1inch2. The Vela 2.0 VBS404.2-GB requires 100% more surface area than the Vela 2.0 VBS403-GB which gives it a small disadvantage 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 VBS404.2-GB weighs 9.70kg / 21.3lbs and the Elac Vela 2.0 VBS403-GB weighs 7.10kg / 15.6lbs. This makes the Vela 2.0 VBS404.2-GB 37% heavier than the Vela 2.0 VBS403-GB.
Here is a comparison of how Vela 2.0 VBS404.2-GB and Vela 2.0 VBS403-GB's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Bookshelf class.
Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
Elac Vela 2.0 VBS404.2-GB
 Max Input Power |
120 watts
vs
100 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Sensitivity |
87 dB
vs
86 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Low Frequency Response |
38 Hz
vs
41 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Price per pair* |
2499USD
vs
2999USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
|
Woofer Size |
7 inches
vs
6 inches
|
Larger woofer |
 Height |
362mm
vs
412mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
458cm2
vs
916cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
| General |
Elac Vela 2.0 VBS404.2-GB |
Elac Vela 2.0 VBS403-GB |
| Brand |
ELAC |
ELAC |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
| Power Range |
Up to 120 watts |
Up to 100 watts |
| Sensitivity |
87 dB |
86 dB |
| Impedance |
4 ohms |
4 ohms |
| Impedance |
3.2 ohms |
3.2 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
38-50k Hz |
41-50k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
6" |
7" |
| Woofer Composition |
AS XR cone |
AS XR cone |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Tweeter Type |
JET 6 AMT |
JET 6 AMT |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
2400 Hz |
2400 Hz |
| Firing Direction |
bottom |
bottom |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
412.0mm (16.2") |
362.0mm (14.3") |
| Width |
276.0mm (10.9") |
191.0mm (7.5") |
| Depth |
332.0mm (13.1") |
240.0mm (9.4") |
| Weight |
9.70kg (21.3lbs) |
7.10kg (15.6lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Available Colors |
Black High Gloss, White High Gloss, Walnut High Gloss |
Black High Gloss, White High Gloss |
| Mounting Bracket |
|
|
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
|
|
| Labor Warranty |
|
|
Siblings in ELAC's Vela 2.0 series, so they share a family sound. It comes down to size, output and price.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | A | Elac Vela 2.0 VBS404.2-GB digs deeper - 38Hz against 41Hz. A subwoofer would even that out. |
| Amplifier needs | evenly matched | Similar sensitivity (87dB vs 86dB) - both want much the same power. |
| Headroom | evenly matched | Similar power handling (120W vs 100W). |
| Size | depends | Elac Vela 2.0 VBS403-GB is easier to place; Elac Vela 2.0 VBS404.2-GB is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Price | A | Elac Vela 2.0 VBS404.2-GB is cheaper - $2,499 against $2,999, about 17% less. |
A Elac Vela 2.0 VBS404.2-GB 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 2.0 VBS404.2-GB 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 2.0 VBS404.2-GB 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. In a large or open-plan room, Elac Vela 2.0 VBS404.2-GB has the cabinet volume to fill it more easily; in a small room, near a wall or at desk distance, Elac Vela 2.0 VBS403-GB is the easier speaker to get right.
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.