2024 has been a busy year so far for ELAC with the announcement of the Elegant Bookshelf Speaker (BS 312.2) and the Solano (2.0) and Vela (2.0) speaker lines.
In this article, we will focus on the Vela 2.0 speaker line which is comprised of six models.
- The FS407.2, FS408.2, and FS409.2 Floorstanding speakers.
- The BS403.2 and BS404.2 Bookshelf Speakers
- The CC401.2 Center Channel Speaker.
Building on ELAC’s highly successful and high-performing Series 400, the six speaker models in the Vela 2.0 line are well-suited for stereo music listening or home theater applications.
Vela 2.0 Series Shared Features
Acoustically Optimized Cabinets: Vela speaker enclosures are well-engineered, featuring sturdy MDF outer walls and gloss-painted finishes. Strategically placed internal bracing adds to the cabinet’s structural integrity which minimizes vibrations that could distort sound and introduce unwanted coloration. Vela speakers employ convex baffles to reduce unwanted reflections.
JET 6 Tweeter: Engineered and designed in Keil, Germany, the JET 6 Air Motion Transformer tweeter provides a wide frequency response (Up to 50kHz), low distortion, and clarity in reproducing high-frequencies. This contributes to a more immersive and detailed audio-listening experience.
Woofer: The woofers used in the Vela 2.0 series incorporate a Crystal Membrane with AS-XR Technology that provides increased stiffness. The Aluminum Sandwich Membrane supports an Extended frequency range (XR) with smooth roll-off. Other features include a larger voice coil and an additional magnet ring which supports superior efficiency and higher thermal resilience. As a result, the woofer can play louder and longer without compromising speaker linearity.
Down-Firing Port: A die-cast bottom plate with an integrated double-flanged down-firing bass reflex port is incorporated into the Vela Bookshelf and Floorstanding speakers. This configuration provides more flexibility in speaker placement and reduces ventilation noise.
Tech Note: For center channel speakers, the port is on the rear of the speaker rather than the bottom.
Bi-Amp/Bi-Wire: All the speakers in the Vela 2.0 line provide connections that are Bi-Amp/Bi-Wire compatible for flexible speaker configuration setup.
VELA Floorstander Comparison
| FS407.2 | FS408.2 | FS409.2 | |
| Speaker Design | Floorstanding | Floorststanding | Floorststanding |
| Speaker Type | 2 ½-Way, Bass Reflex | 2 ½-Way, Bass Reflex | 3 ½-Way, Bass Reflex |
| Woofer | 2 × 150 mm (6-inch), AS-XR Cone | 2 × 180 mm (7-inch), AS-XR Cone | 2 × 180 mm (7-inch), AS-XR Cone |
| Mid-Woofer | – | – | 1 × 150 mm (6-inch), AS-XR Cone |
| Tweeter | JET 6 AMT Tweeter | JET 6 AMT Tweeter | JET 6 AMT Tweeter |
| Magnetic Shielding | No | No | No |
| Crossover Frequency | 450Hz and 2400 Hz | 450Hz and 2550 Hz | 140 Hz, 360 Hz, 2700 Hz |
| Frequency Range (IEC 268-5) | 30 – 50000 Hz | 28 – 50,000 Hz | 28 – 50,000 Hz |
| Sensitivity (2.83 V/m) | 88 dB | 88.5 dB | 89 dB |
| Amplifier Compatibility | 4Ω – 8Ω | 4Ω – 8Ω | 4Ω – 8Ω |
| Recommended Amplifier Power | 40 – 300 W/channel | 40 – 400 W/channel | 40 – 450 W/channel |
| Power Handling (Nominal) | 130 W | 150 W | 200 W |
| Power Handling (Peak) | 170 W | 220 W | 280 W |
| Impedance (Nominal) | 4Ω | 4Ω | 4Ω |
| Impedance (Minimum) | 3.2Ω at 200 Hz | 3.4Ω at 180 Hz | 3.4Ω at 105 Hz |
| Finishes | Black High Gloss (GB) White High Gloss (GW) Walnut High (GN) | Black High Gloss (GB) White High Gloss (GW) Walnut High (GN) | Black High Gloss (GB) White High Gloss (GW) Walnut High (GN) |
| Dimensions (HxWxD) | 1000 x 229 x 266 mm (40 x 9 x 10.47 inches) | 1142 x 276 x 332 mm (44.96 x 10.87 x 13.07 inches) | 1307 x 276 x 332 mm (51.5 x 10.9 x 13 inches) |
| Weight | 19.1 kg (41.8 lbs) | 27.1 kg (59.75 lbs) | 32.1 kg (70.1 lbs) |
VELA Bookshelf & Center Channel Speakers Comparison
| BS403.2 | BS404.2 | CC401.2 | |
| Speaker Design | Bookshelf | Bookshelf | Center Channel |
| Speaker Type | 2-way, Bass Reflex | 2-way, Bass Reflex | 2 ½-Way, Bass Reflex |
| Woofer | 1 × 150 mm (6-inch), AS-XR Cone | 1 × 180 mm (7-inch), AS-XR Cone | 2 × 150 mm (6-inch), AS-XR Cone |
| Tweeter | JET 6 AMT Tweeter | JET 6 AMT Tweeter | JET 6 AMT Tweeter |
| Magnetic Shielding | No | No | No |
| Crossover Frequency | 2400 Hz | 2400 Hz | 450Hz and 2400 Hz |
| Frequency Range (IEC 268-5) | 41-50,000 Hz | 38-50000 Hz | 32 – 50000 Hz |
| Sensitivity (2.83 V/m) | 86 dB | 87 dB | 88.5 dB |
| Amplifier Compatibility | 4Ω – 8Ω | 4Ω – 8Ω | 4Ω – 8Ω |
| Recommended Amplifier Power | 40 – 200 W/channel | 40 – 200 W/channel | 40 – 250 W/channel |
| Power Handling (Nominal) | 70 W | 80 W | 120 W |
| Power Handling (Peak) | 100 W | 120 W | 160 W |
| Impedance (Nominal) | 4Ω | 4Ω | 4Ω |
| Impedance (Minimum) | 3.2Ω at 260 Hz | 3.2Ω at 240 Hz | 3.6Ω at 180 Hz |
| Finishes | Black High Gloss (GB) White High Gloss (GW) Walnut High (GN) | Black High Gloss (GB) White High Gloss (GW) Walnut High (GN) | Black High Gloss (GB) White High Gloss (GW) Walnut High (GN) |
| Dimensions (HWD) | 362 × 191 × 240 mm (14.25 x 7.52 x 9.4 inches) | 412 x 276 x 332 mm (16.22 x 10.87 x 13.07 inches) | 191 x 653 x 233 mm (7.52 x 25.71 x 9.17 inches) |
| Weight | 7.1 kg (15lbs 10oz) | 9.7 kg (21lbs 6 oz) | 11.8 kg (26 lbs) |
Availability and Pricing
The Vela 2.0 speaker line will be available in early May through ELAC and its nationwide dealer network at the following prices:
- BS403.2 6-inch Bookshelf Speakers High Gloss Black (GB) or White (GW): $2999.98 (pr)
- BS403.2 6” Bookshelf SpeakersHigh Gloss Walnut (GN): $3199.98 (pr)
- BS404.2 7” Bookshelf Speakers High Gloss Black (GB) or White (GW): $3,499.98 (pr)
- BS404.2 7” Bookshelf Speakers High Gloss Walnut (GN): $3,499.98 (pr)
- FS407.2 6” Floorstanding Speaker High Gloss Black (GB) or White (GW): $2,999.98 (ea)
- FS407.2 6” Floorstanding Speaker Higih Gloss Walnut (GN): $3,199.98 (ea)
- FS408.2 7” Floorstanding Speaker High Gloss Black (GB) or White (GW): $3,499.98 (ea)
- FS408.2 7” Floorstanding Speaker High Gloss Walnut: $3,699.98 (ea)
- FS409.2 7” Floorstanding Speaker High Gloss Black (GB) or White (GW): $3,999.98 (ea)
- FS409.2 7” Floorstanding Speaker High Gloss Walnut: $4,299.98 (ea)
- CC401.2 6” Center Speaker High Gloss Black (GB) or White (GW): $2,299.98 (ea)
- CC401.2 6” Center Speaker High Gloss Walnut: $2,299.98 (ea)
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