In this review, we will be comparing Elysian 3 R and VELA FS 409, two Passive Floor-standing speakers from Wharfedale and ELAC.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Wharfedale Elysian 3 R and ELAC VELA FS 409 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Wharfedale Elysian 3 R | ELAC VELA FS 409 |
|---|
| Brand | Wharfedale
United Kingdom · founded 1932 | ELAC
Germany · founded 1926 |
|---|
| Design | 3-way | 3-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 3.5" AMT | handmade JET 5 folded ribbon |
|---|
| Midrange | 6" | 6" |
|---|
| Woofer | 2 x 7" | 2 x 7" Aluminum/Paper |
|---|
| Frequency response | 44-22k Hz | 28-50k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 89 dB | 89 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 4 ohms | 4 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | — | 40-200 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 28.44kg / 62.6lbs | 32.18kg / 70.8lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 41-5/16" x 10-7/16" x 12-7/16"
1049.3 x 265.1 x 315.9mm | 52-3/8" x 10-15/16" x 13-9/16"
1331.0 x 278.0 x 345.0mm |
|---|
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
Drivers
Both Elysian 3 R and VELA FS 409 are 3-way speakers.
Wharfedale Elysian 3 RELAC VELA FS 409
TweeterMidrangeWoofer
Front view, drawn to scale - cabinets and drivers share one scale, so sizes are directly comparable. Hover a driver for its size.
| Driver |
Wharfedale Elysian 3 R |
ELAC VELA FS 409 |
|
Driver Setup
|
3-way
|
3-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
3.5-inch
|
-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
1 x 6-inch |
1 x 6-inch |
|
Woofer
|
2 x 7-inch
|
2 x 7-inch
|
Elysian 3 R features a 3.5" AMT Tweeter, a 6" Midrange and 2 x 7" Woofer. On the other hand, the VELA FS 409 features a " handmade JET 5 folded ribbon Tweeter, a 6" Midrange and 2 x 7" Aluminum/Paper Woofer.
Frequency Response
Elysian 3 R has a frequency range of 44-22k Hz whereas VELA FS 409 has a frequency range of 28-50k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 28Hz, the VELA FS 409 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Elysian 3 R's min frequency of 44Hz.
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
Elysian 3 R and VELA FS 409 have the same Impedance of 4 ohms and their sensitivity is also same 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 Elysian 3 R and the Elysian 3 R can provide this impedance level.
Sensitivity
Floor-standing Speakers
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.
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
VELA FS 409 features Binding post posts which make bi-amping or bi-wiring possible. Elysian 3 R has a Binding post which doesn't feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
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 Wharfedale Elysian 3 R's and ELAC VELA FS 409's external dimensions. Wharfedale Elysian 3 R has external dimensions of 1049.3 x 265.1 x 315.9mm () whereas ELAC VELA FS 409 has external dimensions of 1331.0 x 278.0 x 345.0mm (52-3/8 x 10-15/16 x 13-9/16inch).
ELAC VELA FS 409 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 12.9mm wider, 281.7mm taller and 29.1mm deeper than Wharfedale Elysian 3 R.
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 FS 409 needs about 15% more floor or shelf area. ELAC VELA FS 409 is 29mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. ELAC VELA FS 409 is 282mm 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 Wharfedale Elysian 3 R is approximately 837.5cm2 / 129.8inch2 and base area of the ELAC VELA FS 409 is approximately 959.1cm2 / 148.7inch2. The Elysian 3 R requires 13% less surface area than the VELA FS 409 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 Wharfedale Elysian 3 R weighs 28.44kg / 62.6lbs and the ELAC VELA FS 409 weighs 32.18kg / 70.8lbs. This makes the VELA FS 409 13% heavier than the Elysian 3 R.
Here is a comparison of how Elysian 3 R and VELA FS 409's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Floor-standing class.
Weight
All Floor-standing Speakers
What's in the Box of ELAC VELA FS 409?
Here are the items that come with the VELA FS 409:
- 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
 Height |
1049mm
vs
1331mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
837cm2
vs
959cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Low Frequency Response |
28 Hz
vs
44 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
50k Hz
vs
22k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
| General |
Wharfedale Elysian 3 R |
ELAC VELA FS 409 |
| Brand |
Wharfedale |
ELAC |
| Speaker Type |
Floor-standing speaker |
Floor-standing speaker |
| Sensitivity |
89 dB |
89 dB |
| Impedance |
4 ohms |
4 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
44-22k Hz |
28-50k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
2 |
| Woofer Size |
7" |
7" |
| Woofer Composition |
|
Aluminum/Paper |
| Woofer Surround Material |
n/a |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
3.5" |
- |
| Tweeter Type |
AMT |
handmade JET 5 folded ribbon |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
6" |
6" |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
1049.3mm (41.3") |
1331.0mm (52.4") |
| Width |
265.1mm (10.4") |
278.0mm (10.9") |
| Depth |
315.9mm (12.4") |
345.0mm (13.6") |
| Weight |
28.44kg (62.6lbs) |
32.18kg (70.8lbs) |
| Enclosure |
|
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
MDF/Wood veneer |
MDF/Aluminum |
| Available Colors |
Walnut |
Gloss Black |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
n/a |
Yes |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
3 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
3 Years |
A generation apart: Wharfedale Elysian 3 R is the newer design, against a 2018 model. Newer is not automatically better, but the older one is more likely to be discounted or near run-out.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | B | ELAC VELA FS 409 digs deeper - 28Hz against 44Hz. |
| Amplifier needs | evenly matched | Similar sensitivity (89dB vs 89dB) - both want much the same power. |
| Size | depends | Wharfedale Elysian 3 R is easier to place; ELAC VELA FS 409 is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Expandability | B | ELAC VELA FS 409: bi-amping. |
A Wharfedale Elysian 3 R B ELAC VELA FS 409
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 FS 409 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 44Hz anyway, so judge these on the other rows instead. In a large or open-plan room, ELAC VELA FS 409 has the cabinet volume to fill it more easily; in a small room, near a wall or at desk distance, Wharfedale Elysian 3 R 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.