In this review, we will be comparing Vela 2.0 VFS408.2-GB and ESL 9, two Passive Floor-standing speakers from ELAC and MartinLogan.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Elac Vela 2.0 VFS408.2-GB and MartinLogan ESL 9 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Elac Vela 2.0 VFS408.2-GB | MartinLogan ESL 9 |
|---|
| Brand | ELAC
Germany · founded 1926 | MartinLogan
United States · founded 1982 |
|---|
| Design | 3-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | JET 6 AMT | 9.2 x 44" curved electrostatic transducer |
|---|
| Woofer | 2 x 7" AS XR cone | 2 x 8" high-excursion paper cone |
|---|
| Frequency response | 28-50k Hz | 34-23k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 88.5 dB | 90 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 4 ohms | 4 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | Up to 220 watts | 20-400 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 27.10kg / 59.6lbs | 35.45kg / 78lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 45" x 10.9" x 13"
1142 x 276 x 332 mm | 59-13/16" x 10-7/16" x 25-7/16"
1520.0 x 266.0 x 647.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the Elac Vela 2.0 VFS408.2-GB and MartinLogan ESL 9 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 VFS408.2-GB |
MartinLogan ESL 9 |
| Near-field |
Are you nuts? |
Are you nuts? |
| Small Room |
Poor |
Poor |
| Mid-size Room |
Average |
Average |
| Large Room |
Good |
Good |
| Very Large Room |
Good |
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 VFS408.2-GB is a 3-way design whereas the ESL 9 is a 2-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 VFS408.2-GBMartinLogan ESL 9
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 VFS408.2-GB |
MartinLogan ESL 9 |
|
Driver Setup
|
3-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
-inch
|
9.2 x 44-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
2 x 7-inch
|
2 x 8-inch
|
Vela 2.0 VFS408.2-GB features a " JET 6 AMT Tweeter and 2 x 7" AS XR cone Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 450Hz and 2550 Hz. On the other hand, the ESL 9 features a 9.2 x 44" curved electrostatic transducer Tweeter and 2 x 8" high-excursion paper cone Woofer.
Frequency Response
Vela 2.0 VFS408.2-GB has a frequency range of 28-50k Hz whereas ESL 9 has a frequency range of 34-23k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 28Hz, the Vela 2.0 VFS408.2-GB can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the ESL 9's min frequency of 34Hz.
The graph below depicts how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average Low Frequency values of other speakers in the Floor-standing class in our database.
Low Frequency
Floor-standing 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 VFS408.2-GB and ESL 9 have the same Impedance of 4 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. Vela 2.0 VFS408.2-GB sensitivity is rated at 88.5 dB and the ESL 9's is at 90 dB. This 1 dB difference makes the MartinLogan ESL 9 a more sensitive speaker compared to Elac Vela 2.0 VFS408.2-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 VFS408.2-GB and the Vela 2.0 VFS408.2-GB can provide this impedance level.
Sensitivity
Floor-standing 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.
ESL 9 can handle a max power of 400 watts RMS, whereas Vela 2.0 VFS408.2-GB has a max power handling value of 220 watts RMS, 180 watts less than the ESL 9.
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 VFS408.2-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 VFS408.2-GB's and MartinLogan ESL 9's external dimensions. Elac Vela 2.0 VFS408.2-GB has external dimensions of 1142 x 276 x 332 mm (44.96 x 10.87 x 13.07 inches) whereas MartinLogan ESL 9 has external dimensions of 1520.0 x 266.0 x 647.0mm (59-13/16 x 10-7/16 x 25-7/16inch).
Elac Vela 2.0 VFS408.2-GB is 378mm shorter and 315mm less deeper than MartinLogan ESL 9 but it is also 10mm 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.
MartinLogan ESL 9 needs about 88% more floor or shelf area. MartinLogan ESL 9 is 315mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. MartinLogan ESL 9 is 378mm 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 VFS408.2-GB is approximately 916.3cm2 / 142.0inch2 and base area of the MartinLogan ESL 9 is approximately 1721.0cm2 / 266.8inch2. The Vela 2.0 VFS408.2-GB requires 47% less surface area than the ESL 9 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 VFS408.2-GB weighs 27.10kg / 59.6lbs and the MartinLogan ESL 9 weighs 35.45kg / 78lbs. This makes the ESL 9 31% heavier than the Vela 2.0 VFS408.2-GB.
Here is a comparison of how Vela 2.0 VFS408.2-GB and ESL 9's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Floor-standing class.
Weight
All Floor-standing Speakers
Elac Vela 2.0 VFS408.2-GB
What's in the Box of MartinLogan ESL 9?
Here are the items that come with the ESL 9:
- Floorstanding hybrid electrostatic loudspeaker
- AC power adapter (w/ attached 10-feet DC cord)
- Grille
- 4 Spike Feet
- Users Manual
- Product Registration Card
 Driver Setup |
3-way
vs
2-way
|
Have a dedicated mid-range driver |
 Low Frequency Response |
28 Hz
vs
34 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
50k Hz
vs
23k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
1142mm
vs
1520mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
916cm2
vs
1721cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
6999USD
vs
7000USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Max Input Power |
400 watts
vs
220 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Sensitivity |
90 dB
vs
89 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
|
Woofer Size |
8 inches
vs
7 inches
|
Larger woofer |
| General |
Elac Vela 2.0 VFS408.2-GB |
MartinLogan Masterpiece Classic ESL 9 |
| Brand |
ELAC |
MartinLogan |
| Speaker Type |
Floor-standing speaker |
Floor-standing speaker |
| Power Range |
Up to 220 watts |
20-400 watts |
| Sensitivity |
88.5 dB |
90 dB |
| Impedance |
4 ohms |
4 ohms |
| Impedance |
3.2 ohms |
n/a |
| Frequency Response |
28-50k Hz |
34-23k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
2 |
| Woofer Size |
7" |
8" |
| Woofer Composition |
AS XR cone |
high-excursion paper cone |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
9.2 x 44" |
| Tweeter Type |
JET 6 AMT |
curved electrostatic transducer |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
450Hz and 2550 Hz |
n/a |
| Firing Direction |
bottom |
n/a |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
1142.0mm (45") |
1520.0mm (59.8") |
| Width |
276.0mm (10.9") |
266.0mm (10.5") |
| Depth |
332.0mm (13.1") |
647.0mm (25.5") |
| Weight |
27.10kg (59.6lbs) |
35.45kg (78lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
n/a |
Composite |
| Available Colors |
Black High Gloss, White High Gloss, Walnut High Gloss |
Gloss Black |
| Grille |
n/a |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
n/a |
Yes |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
|
5 Years w/ Registration |
| Labor Warranty |
|
5 Years w/ Registration |
A generation apart: Elac Vela 2.0 VFS408.2-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 VFS408.2-GB digs deeper - 28Hz against 34Hz. A subwoofer would even that out. |
| Amplifier needs | evenly matched | Similar sensitivity (89dB vs 90dB) - both want much the same power. |
| Headroom | B | MartinLogan ESL 9 takes more power (400W vs 220W) - more in hand in a big room. |
| Size | depends | Elac Vela 2.0 VFS408.2-GB is easier to place; MartinLogan ESL 9 is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Expandability | B | MartinLogan ESL 9: bi-amping. |
| Price | evenly matched | Much the same money ($6,999 vs $7,000 a pair). |
A Elac Vela 2.0 VFS408.2-GB B MartinLogan ESL 9
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?
MartinLogan ESL 9 has the edge on paper, though the margin is not large. The rows marked "depends" may matter more to you than the score does. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 34Hz anyway, so judge these on the other rows instead. In a large or open-plan room, MartinLogan ESL 9 has the cabinet volume to fill it more easily; in a small room, near a wall or at desk distance, Elac Vela 2.0 VFS408.2-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.