In this review, we will be comparing Vela 2.0 VFS409.2-GB and Platinum 300 3G, two Passive Floor-standing speakers from ELAC and Monitor Audio.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Elac Vela 2.0 VFS409.2-GB and Monitor Audio Platinum 300 3G first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Elac Vela 2.0 VFS409.2-GB | Monitor Audio Platinum 300 3G |
|---|
| Brand | ELAC
Germany · founded 1926 | Monitor Audio
United Kingdom · founded 1972 |
|---|
| Design | 4-way | 3-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | JET 6 AMT | 1" |
|---|
| Midrange | 6" | 4" |
|---|
| Woofer | 2 x 7" AS XR cone | 2 x 8" RDT III |
|---|
| Frequency response | 28-50k Hz | 17-60k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 89 dB | 88dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 4 ohms | 4 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | Up to 280 watts | up to 400 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 32.10kg / 70.6lbs | 53.60kg / 117.9lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 51.5" x 10.9" x 13"
1307 x 276 x 332 mm | 44.5" x 16.9" x 20.6"
1131.1 x 429.8 x 525 mm |
|---|
What size room are the Elac Vela 2.0 VFS409.2-GB and Monitor Audio Platinum 300 3G 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 VFS409.2-GB |
Monitor Audio Platinum 300 3G |
| Near-field |
Are you nuts? |
Bad |
| Small Room |
Poor |
Poor |
| Mid-size Room |
Average |
Average |
| Large Room |
Good |
Good |
| Very Large Room |
Good |
Average |
(* 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 VFS409.2-GB is a 4-way design whereas the Platinum 300 3G 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 VFS409.2-GBMonitor Audio Platinum 300 3G
TweeterMidrangeWoofer
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 VFS409.2-GB |
Monitor Audio Platinum 300 3G |
|
Driver Setup
|
4-way
|
3-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
1 x 6-inch |
1 x 4-inch |
|
Woofer
|
2 x 7-inch
|
2 x 8-inch
|
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. On the other hand, the Platinum 300 3G features a 1" MPD III Tweeter, a 4" Midrange and 2 x 8" RDT III Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 650 Hz - 3000 Hz.
Frequency Response
Vela 2.0 VFS409.2-GB has a frequency range of 28-50k Hz whereas Platinum 300 3G has a frequency range of 17-60k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 17Hz, the Platinum 300 3G can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Vela 2.0 VFS409.2-GB's min frequency of 28Hz.
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
Impedance and Sensitivity
Vela 2.0 VFS409.2-GB and Platinum 300 3G have the same Impedance of 4 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. Vela 2.0 VFS409.2-GB sensitivity is rated at 89 dB and the Platinum 300 3G's is at 88dB. This 1 dB difference makes the Elac Vela 2.0 VFS409.2-GB a more sensitive speaker compared to Monitor Audio Platinum 300 3G, 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 VFS409.2-GB and the Vela 2.0 VFS409.2-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.
Platinum 300 3G can handle a max power of 400 watts RMS, whereas Vela 2.0 VFS409.2-GB has a max power handling value of 280 watts RMS, 120 watts less than the Platinum 300 3G.
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 VFS409.2-GB
Monitor Audio Platinum 300 3G
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Vela 2.0 VFS409.2-GB has a bottom firing port whereas Platinum 300 3G has a rear firing ports. Elac Vela 2.0 VFS409.2-GB's bottom-firing port gives more flexibility in placement in regards to proximity to walls compared to Monitor Audio Platinum 300 3G with its rear-firing port.
Monitor Audio Platinum 300 3G 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 VFS409.2-GB's and Monitor Audio Platinum 300 3G's external dimensions. 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) whereas Monitor Audio Platinum 300 3G has external dimensions of 1131.1 x 429.8 x 525 mm (44.5 x 16.9 x 20.6-inch).
Elac Vela 2.0 VFS409.2-GB is 154mm narrower and 193mm less deeper than Monitor Audio Platinum 300 3G but it is also 176mm 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.
Monitor Audio Platinum 300 3G needs about 146% more floor or shelf area. Monitor Audio Platinum 300 3G is 193mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. Elac Vela 2.0 VFS409.2-GB is 176mm 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 VFS409.2-GB is approximately 916.3cm2 / 142.0inch2 and base area of the Monitor Audio Platinum 300 3G is approximately 2257.5cm2 / 349.9inch2. The Vela 2.0 VFS409.2-GB requires 59% less surface area than the Platinum 300 3G 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 VFS409.2-GB weighs 32.10kg / 70.6lbs and the Monitor Audio Platinum 300 3G weighs 53.60kg / 117.9lbs. This makes the Platinum 300 3G 67% heavier than the Vela 2.0 VFS409.2-GB.
Here is a comparison of how Vela 2.0 VFS409.2-GB and Platinum 300 3G's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Floor-standing class.
Weight
All Floor-standing Speakers
Elac Vela 2.0 VFS409.2-GB
Monitor Audio Platinum 300 3G
 Driver Setup |
4-way
vs
3-way
|
Have a dedicated mid-range driver |
 Sensitivity |
89 dB
vs
88 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Base Surface Area |
916cm2
vs
2257cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
7999USD
vs
17900USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Max Input Power |
400 watts
vs
280 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Minimum Impedance |
4 ohms
vs
3.4 ohms
|
Very low impedance levels puts more pressure on amplifier |
 Woofer Size |
8 inches
vs
7 inches
|
Larger woofer |
|
Low Frequency Response |
17 Hz
vs
28 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
60k Hz
vs
50k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
1131mm
vs
1307mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
| General |
Elac Vela 2.0 VFS409.2-GB |
Monitor Audio Platinum 300 3G |
| Brand |
ELAC |
Monitor Audio |
| Speaker Type |
Floor-standing speaker |
Floor-standing speaker |
| Power Range |
Up to 280 watts |
up to 400 watts |
| Sensitivity |
89 dB |
88dB |
| Impedance |
4 ohms |
4 ohms |
| Impedance |
3.4 ohms |
4 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
28-50k Hz |
17-60k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
2 |
| Woofer Size |
7" |
8" |
| Woofer Composition |
AS XR cone |
RDT III |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
n/a |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
JET 6 AMT |
n/a |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
6" |
4" |
| Crossover Frequency |
140 Hz, 360 Hz, 2700 Hz |
650 Hz - 3000 Hz |
| Firing Direction |
bottom |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
1307.0mm (51.5") |
1131.0mm (44.5") |
| Width |
276.0mm (10.9") |
430.0mm (16.9") |
| Depth |
332.0mm (13.1") |
525.0mm (20.7") |
| Weight |
32.10kg (70.6lbs) |
53.60kg (117.9lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Available Colors |
Black High Gloss, White High Gloss, Walnut High Gloss |
Piano Black, Piano Ebony, Satin White |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
n/a |
Yes |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
|
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
|
5 Years |
These sit in different price classes - Monitor Audio Platinum 300 3G costs roughly 2.2x what Elac Vela 2.0 VFS409.2-GB does. Expect it to lead on paper; the question is whether the gap is audible enough in your room to be worth it.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | B | Monitor Audio Platinum 300 3G digs deeper - 17Hz against 28Hz. |
| Amplifier needs | evenly matched | Similar sensitivity (89dB vs 88dB) - both want much the same power. |
| Headroom | B | Monitor Audio Platinum 300 3G takes more power (400W vs 280W) - more in hand in a big room. |
| Size | depends | Elac Vela 2.0 VFS409.2-GB is easier to place; Monitor Audio Platinum 300 3G is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Expandability | B | Monitor Audio Platinum 300 3G: bi-amping. |
| Price | A | Elac Vela 2.0 VFS409.2-GB is cheaper - $7,999 against $17,900, about 55% less; arguably a different class. |
A Elac Vela 2.0 VFS409.2-GB B Monitor Audio Platinum 300 3G
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?
The usual trade-off: Monitor Audio Platinum 300 3G measures better, Elac Vela 2.0 VFS409.2-GB costs about about 124% more% less. Whether that gap is worth the money is the call only you can make - and in a normal room it is often smaller than the numbers suggest. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 28Hz anyway, which makes the cheaper Elac Vela 2.0 VFS409.2-GB much easier to justify. Match it to your room: we rate Elac Vela 2.0 VFS409.2-GB the better fit for a very large room; elsewhere the two are rated the same.
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.