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  1. Home
  2. ELAC Speakers
  3. Passive Floor-standing Speakers
  4. ELAC VELA FS 409
ELAC VELA FS 409 Review
ELAC VELA FS 409 - Front View

Compare To

Main Features

  • handmade JET 5 folded ribbon Tweeter
  • 6" aluminum/paper sandwich Midrange
  • 2 x 7" Aluminum/Paper Woofer
  • 28-50k Hz Frequency Response
  • 89 dB Sensitivity
  • Impedance: 4ohms
  • Power Range: 40-200 watts
  • Weight: 70.80 lbs / 32.18 kg
  • Dimensions(HxWxD): 52-3/8"x10-15/16"x13-9/16" / 1331.0 x 278.0 x 345.0mm
MSRP: $3,700 (list price)
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ELAC VELA FS 409 Review
ELAC VELA FS 409 ELAC VELA FS 409
Check price atAmazon›

Made by ELAC · Germany · since 1926 · sold through dealers

ELAC VELA FS 409 is a 3-way Passive Bass Reflex Floor-standing speaker by ELAC. It was released in 2018. It features a handmade JET 5 folded ribbon Tweeter, 1 x 6" Midrange and 2 x 7" Aluminum/Paper Woofer. The speaker has a frequency range of 28-50k Hz and a sensitivity of 89 dB. ELAC VELA FS 409 has an MSRP of 7400$ per pair.

Room Size Suitability

The size of the room where you plan to use the ELAC VELA FS 409 is a crucial factor in your decision. We have assessed its suitability for various room sizes based on its dimensions and maximum power output:

Listening Environment* Suitability
Near-fieldBad
Small RoomPoor
Mid-size RoomGood
Large RoomGood
Very Large RoomPoor

(* 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.)

ELAC later replaced VELA FS 409 with Vela 2.0 VFS409.2-GB. Follow the link to read our in-depth comparison of these speakers:
Compare ELAC VELA FS 409 vs Elac Vela 2.0 VFS409.2-GB

ELAC's VELA Series of Loudspeakers

VELA FS 409 is a member of ELAC's VELA series of Passive speakers. The VELA range is ELAC's premium German-designed line, using a JET folded-ribbon tweeter and aluminium-sandwich drivers. Below you can see the main specs of these speakers.

See all 4 ELAC VELA models compared »

ELAC VELA Series Speakers
Model Frequency SensitivityImpedance Woofer
ELAC VELA FS 409
28-50k Hz 89 dB4Ω 2 x 7"
ELAC VELA FS 407
Compare
30-50k Hz 88 dB4Ω 1 x 6"
ELAC VELA BS 403
Compare
41-50k Hz 86 dB4Ω 1 x 6"
ELAC VELA CC 401
Compare
30-50k Hz 88 dB4Ω 2 x 6"

Frequency Response of the ELAC VELA FS 409 Speaker

ELAC VELA FS 409 has a Frequency response range of 28-50k Hz and Power Range of 40-200 watts. With a minimum frequency of 28 Hz, VELA FS 409 delivers deep bass that will likely satisfy most listeners, especially those who enjoy music. However, movie enthusiasts and music fans who prefer a full range of sound may still benefit from adding a subwoofer.

Here we have a comparison of how VELA FS 409's Low frequency value compares with the average, max and min Low frequency values in its class.
Low Frequency
Floor-standing Speakers
ELAC VELA FS 409
Min
Average
Median
Thinking about a subwoofer for the ELAC VELA FS 409?
  • Work out the crossover setting - it follows from this speaker's 28 Hz low end
  • Every powered subwoofer we cover, whatever the budget

Among the speakers in our database with a max MSRP price of 10000$ (Pair), these are the 5 Passive Floor-standing speakers that have the deeper bass levels than the ELAC VELA FS 409's 28Hz:

  • PSB Synchrony T600 with Low Frequency of 24 Hz (Compare w/ VELA FS 409)
  • KLH Kendall with Low Frequency of 25 Hz (Compare w/ VELA FS 409)
  • GoldenEar Triton Five with Low Frequency of 26 Hz (Compare w/ VELA FS 409)
  • Monitor Audio Silver 500 7G with Low Frequency of 27 Hz (Compare w/ VELA FS 409)
  • MartinLogan Motion XT F200 with Low Frequency of 27 Hz (Compare w/ VELA FS 409)

Impedance and Sensitivity

ELAC VELA FS 409's nominal impedance level is 4 ohms and has a sensitivity of 89 dB.

Sensitivity
Floor-standing Speakers
ELAC VELA FS 409
Min
Average
Median

Nominal Impedance of the 4 Ohms means that the ELAC VELA FS 409 is a difficult to drive speaker from nominal Impedance perspective, make sure that you choose an amplifier than can provide 4 Ohms for this speaker.

Many AVRs (audio/video receiver) in the market may have difficulty when the speakers dip below the 4 Ohms levels (this may cause clipping or even physical damage), so we recommend to not pair the ELAC VELA FS 409 with an AVR but use an Integrated Amplifier instead.

Sensitivity

89dB of the ELAC VELA FS 409 is an average sensitivity for stereo speaker so it is neither easy nor difficult to drive Sensitivity wise. Work out how loud the ELAC VELA FS 409 plays in your room →

Running more than one pair from a single amplifier? Check the load it would present →

What amplifier does the ELAC VELA FS 409 need?

At normal listening levels in a medium room, about 19–200 W per channel into 4 ohms. Set your own conditions and we will rank every amplifier we cover.

We check power, impedance safety and current delivery - not just watts.

Prefer to browse? See every integrated amplifier we cover.

Input Type

VELA FS 409 has Binding post type connectors and lets bi-amping/bi-wiring. Bi-wiring can enhance the overall transparency of your loudspeakers by using separate speaker wires for the low and high-frequency drivers from a single amplifier. Bi-amping, on the other hand, involves using separate amplifiers for the high and low-frequency drivers, potentially resulting in a greater dynamic range and reduced distortion.

Work out what gauge speaker cable this run needs →

ELAC VELA FS 409 External Dimensions and Weight

ELAC VELA FS 409 has external dimensions of (Height x Width x Depth) 52-3/8 x 10-15/16 x 13-9/16inch (1331.0 x 278.0 x 345.0mm ).

Base Surface Area
Base surface area of a loudspeaker may become a determining factor when the space in your room or desk is limited. The base area of ELAC VELA FS 409 is approximately 959.1cm2 / 148.7inch2.

To get a better perspective on the real life size of ELAC VELA FS 409, let's compare it with a standard size Compact Disc which has a diameter of 4.7inch (120mm).

ELAC VELA FS 409 Real Life Body Size Comparison
ELAC VELA FS 409 Speaker Size Compared to a Compact Disc

Here we place the ELAC VELA FS 409 virtually next to a standard width amplifier and turntable on a media center to get a better idea about the size.

ELAC VELA FS 409 placed next to a Media Stand
ELAC VELA FS 409 Floor-standing Speaker next to a Media Stand

Find speakers that fit your shelf or alcove →  ·  Work out where they should sit in the room →

Weight

The ELAC VELA FS 409 weighs 32.18kg / 70.8lbs per piece. Here is a comparison of how VELA FS 409's weight compares with the average, max and min weights in its class.

Weight
All Floor-standing Speakers
ELAC VELA FS 409
Min
Average
Median
Weight
Floor-standing Speakers under $10000
ELAC VELA FS 409
Min
Average
Max

Cabinet type and Materials

ELAC VELA FS 409 has a Bass Reflex type cabinet and a MDF/Aluminum finish. Bass Reflex type loudspeakers (aka Ported, Vented or Reflex Port) have enclosures that uses a port, hole or vent cut into the cabinet. Ported designs are generally more efficient than the Sealed designs.

Speaker Feet

ELAC VELA FS 409 comes with the parts below which you can use to secure your loudspeaker on the surface that you are putting on:

  • 4 Spikes
  • 4 Pucks
  • 4 Rubber pads

It is always recommended to use some kind of feet under all types of speakers. Besides limiting the movement of the speakers, it also compensates for non-flat surfaces and limits the contact surface area of the speaker. Rubber based feet also help isolating the vibrations within certain frequency ranges.

Available colors

ELAC VELA FS 409 is available in Gloss Black.

What's in the Box of ELAC VELA FS 409?

Here are the items that are included inside the box of 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

Recommended Accessories

Here is a list of accessories that we think you may need for the ELAC VELA FS 409.

  • Speaker Cable and Connectors
    • Speaker Cables with Banana Plugs: If you know the lenght of the cable you need, this is the easier option to connect your speakers with your amp.
    • Speaker Cables without Connectors: If you are not sure about the lenght or need longer than standard cables with plugs, choose this option.
    • Banana Connectors and Plugs: If you chose the cables without connectors option or already have some cable around, pick the banana plugs separately.
  • Vibration Isolators: IsoAcoustics isolators are our favorite isolators but you may find more affordable options too.
  • Acoustic Panels and Treatments: Your room is as important as your stereo equipment so acoustic treatments goes a long way in improving the overall performance.

Warranty

3 Years of parts warranty and 3 Years of labor warranty is generally provided by the manufacturer.

ELAC VELA FS 409 Alternatives in Passive Floor-standing Speakers
Model Type Sensitivity Impedance Frequency
ELAC VELA FS 407
Compare
3-way 88 dB 4 ohms 30-50k Hz
B&W 702 S3
Compare
3-way 90 dB 8 ohms 46-28k Hz
Elac Vela 2.0 VFS409.2-GB
Compare
4-way 89 dB 4 ohms 28-50k Hz
KEF R11
Compare
3-way 90 dB 8 ohms 46-28k Hz
Wharfedale Elysian 4
Compare
3-way 92 dB 4 ohms 30-22k Hz
Focal Aria 948
Compare
3-way 92.5 dB 8 ohms 37-28k Hz
Monitor Audio Platinum 200 3G
Compare
3-way 88dB 4 ohms 23-60k Hz
KEF R7
Compare
3-way 88 dB 8 ohms 48-28k Hz
Frequently Asked Questions about ELAC VELA FS 409

What amplifier do you need for the ELAC VELA FS 409?

ELAC rates the ELAC VELA FS 409 for 40-200 watts of amplifier power. It is a 4-ohm speaker, a demanding load that wants an amplifier rated to drive 4 ohms - many budget receivers are not.

Is the ELAC VELA FS 409 easy to drive?

The ELAC VELA FS 409 has a sensitivity of 89 dB. That is about average for a home speaker, so it is neither hard nor especially easy to drive.

Does the ELAC VELA FS 409 need a subwoofer?

The ELAC VELA FS 409 reaches down to 28Hz (full range 28-50k Hz). That is genuinely deep bass - a subwoofer is optional unless you want home-theatre effects below that.

What drivers does the ELAC VELA FS 409 use?

The ELAC VELA FS 409 is a 3-way design using a handmade JET 5 folded ribbon tweeter, a 6" midrange and 2 x 7" Aluminum/Paper woofers.

Is the ELAC VELA FS 409 sealed or ported?

The ELAC VELA FS 409 uses a Ported enclosure. A ported design uses a tuned vent to get more low-end output from the same driver, but it wants some breathing room behind it.

Can the ELAC VELA FS 409 be bi-wired or bi-amped?

Yes. The ELAC VELA FS 409 has two sets of terminals, so it can be bi-wired or bi-amped: bi-wiring runs separate cable to the treble and bass sections, bi-amping gives each its own amplifier channel. It uses Binding post terminals.

Can the ELAC VELA FS 409 be wall mounted?

The ELAC VELA FS 409 does not include a wall-mount bracket or keyhole, so it is designed to sit on a stand, shelf or the floor.

How big and heavy is the ELAC VELA FS 409?

The ELAC VELA FS 409 weighs 32.18kg / 70.8lbs each and measures 52-3/8 x 10-15/16 x 13-9/16inch (HxWxD).

How much does the ELAC VELA FS 409 cost?

The ELAC VELA FS 409 has a manufacturer's list price (MSRP) of $7,400 per pair.


ELAC VELA FS 409 Detailed Specifications

General
BrandELAC
Full Model NameELAC VELA FS 409
Speaker Type3-way Floor-standing
Power Range40-200 watts
Sensitivity89 dB
Impedance4 ohms
Frequency Response28-50k Hz
Release Date2018
DRIVERS
Woofer Size7-inch
Woofer CompositionAluminum/Paper
Woofer SurroundRubber
Tweeter Typehandmade JET 5 folded ribbon
Midrange Size6-inch

CONNECTIONS
Connector TypeBinding post
Biamp InputsYes
PHYSICAL SPECS
Height1331.0mm ( 52-3/8-inch)
Width278.0mm ( 10-15/16-inch)
Depth345.0mm ( 13-9/16-inch)
Height1331.0mm ( 52-3/8-inch)
Weight32.18 kg (70.8 lbs)
EnclosureBass Reflex
FinishMDF/Aluminum
Available ColorsGloss Black
Mounting BracketNo
Moisture ResistanceNo
OTHER
Handheld RemoteNo
Parts Warranty3 Years
Labor Warranty3 Years
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