In this review, we will be comparing two different types of speakers by ELAC. Elac Vela 2.0 VCC401.2-GB is a Center Channel speaker whereas the Vela 2.0 VFS409.2-GB is a Floor-standing speaker.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Elac Vela 2.0 VCC401.2-GB and Elac Vela 2.0 VFS409.2-GB first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Elac Vela 2.0 VCC401.2-GB | Elac Vela 2.0 VFS409.2-GB |
|---|
| Brand | ELAC
Germany · founded 1926 | ELAC
Germany · founded 1926 |
|---|
| Design | 3-way | 4-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | JET 6 AMT | JET 6 AMT |
|---|
| Midrange | — | 6" |
|---|
| Woofer | 2 x 6" AS XR cone | 2 x 7" AS XR cone |
|---|
| Frequency response | 32-50k Hz | 28-50k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 88.5 dB | 89 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 4 ohms | 4 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | Up to 160 watts | Up to 280 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 11.80kg / 26lbs | 32.10kg / 70.6lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 7.5" x 25.7" x 9.2"
191 x 653 x 233 mm | 51.5" x 10.9" x 13"
1307 x 276 x 332 mm |
|---|
Vela 2.0 VCC401.2-GB and Vela 2.0 VFS409.2-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 VCC401.2-GB and Elac Vela 2.0 VFS409.2-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 VCC401.2-GB |
Elac Vela 2.0 VFS409.2-GB |
| Near-field |
Poor |
Are you nuts? |
| Small Room |
Average |
Poor |
| Mid-size Room |
Good |
Average |
| Large Room |
Average |
Good |
| Very Large Room |
Poor |
Good |
(* 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 VCC401.2-GB is a 3-way design whereas the Vela 2.0 VFS409.2-GB is a 4-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 VCC401.2-GBElac Vela 2.0 VFS409.2-GB
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 VCC401.2-GB |
Elac Vela 2.0 VFS409.2-GB |
|
Driver Setup
|
3-way
|
4-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
-inch
|
-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
1 x 6-inch |
|
Woofer
|
2 x 6-inch
|
2 x 7-inch
|
Vela 2.0 VCC401.2-GB features a " JET 6 AMT Tweeter and 2 x 6" AS XR cone Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 450Hz and 2400 Hz. On the other hand, the Vela 2.0 VFS409.2-GB features a " JET 6 AMT Tweeter, a 6" Midrange and 2 x 7" AS XR cone Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 140 Hz, 360 Hz, 2700 Hz.
Frequency Response
Vela 2.0 VCC401.2-GB has a frequency range of 32-50k Hz whereas Vela 2.0 VFS409.2-GB has a frequency range of 28-50k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 28Hz, the Vela 2.0 VFS409.2-GB can go slightly deeper then the Vela 2.0 VCC401.2-GB's min frequency of 32Hz.
The graph below depicts how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average Low Frequency values of other speakers in the Center Channel class in our database.
Low Frequency
Center Channel 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 VCC401.2-GB and Vela 2.0 VFS409.2-GB have the same Impedance of 4 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. Vela 2.0 VCC401.2-GB sensitivity is rated at 88.5 dB and the Vela 2.0 VFS409.2-GB's is at 89 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 2.0 VCC401.2-GB and the Vela 2.0 VCC401.2-GB can provide this impedance level.
Sensitivity
Center Channel 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 VFS409.2-GB can handle a max power of 280 watts RMS, whereas Vela 2.0 VCC401.2-GB has a max power handling value of 160 watts RMS, 120 watts less than the Vela 2.0 VFS409.2-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 VCC401.2-GB
Elac Vela 2.0 VFS409.2-GB
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Both Vela 2.0 VCC401.2-GB and Vela 2.0 VFS409.2-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 VCC401.2-GB's and Elac Vela 2.0 VFS409.2-GB's external dimensions. Elac Vela 2.0 VCC401.2-GB has external dimensions of 191 x 653 x 233 mm (7.52 x 25.71 x 9.17 inches) whereas Elac Vela 2.0 VFS409.2-GB has external dimensions of 1307 x 276 x 332 mm (51.5 x 10.9 x 13 inches).
Elac Vela 2.0 VCC401.2-GB is 1116mm shorter and 99mm less deeper than Elac Vela 2.0 VFS409.2-GB but it is also 377mm wider.
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 VCC401.2-GB needs about 66% more floor or shelf area. Elac Vela 2.0 VFS409.2-GB is 99mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. Elac Vela 2.0 VFS409.2-GB is 1116mm 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 VCC401.2-GB is approximately 1521.5cm2 / 235.8inch2 and base area of the Elac Vela 2.0 VFS409.2-GB is approximately 916.3cm2 / 142.0inch2. The Vela 2.0 VCC401.2-GB requires 66% more surface area than the Vela 2.0 VFS409.2-GB which gives it a small disadvantage on placement in tight spaces.