Short answer: the ELAC Vela FS 408.2. Both are rated 4.3/5 for sound quality (#76 and #74 of 226 floorstanding speakers), and the ELAC Vela FS 408.2 costs $3,699 against $4,200 for the Arendal Sound 1723 Tower THX, with sound quality a draw, the lower price decides it.
The case for the Arendal Sound 1723 Tower THX: The large tower of Arendal’s THX Ultra certified 1723 series, with a 28mm tweeter in a waveguide and four 8” woofers in a 2.5-way layout. The tradeoff: No independent measurements yet, so its tonal balance and directivity can’t be compared directly with measured speakers; the rating is estimated from the measured 1723 Monitor THX.
The case for the ELAC Vela FS 408.2: A larger Vela tower with three 7” AS-XR drivers and the JET 6 tweeter, rated from 28Hz at 88.5dB. The catch: No independent measurements yet, so its tonal balance and directivity can’t be compared with ranked speakers.
Buy the ELAC Vela FS 408.2. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $501 less than the Arendal Sound 1723 Tower THX.
About the ratings: neither speaker has been measured yet, so both ratings are estimated from measured siblings and predecessors (likely ranges: Arendal Sound 1723 Tower THX 4.0 to 4.5; ELAC Vela FS 408.2 4.0 to 4.6). Treat this verdict as provisional.
Still deciding? The full Passive Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Arendal Sound 1723 Tower THX | ELAC Vela FS 408.2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $4,200 per pair | $3699 per pair |
| Ranked | #74 of 226 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers Estimated | #76 of 226 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers Estimated |
| Drivers | 28mm tweeter, 4 x 8” woofers | 1x JET 6 folded ribbon tweeter, 1x 7” AS-XR cone midrange, 2x 7” AS-XR cone woofers |
| Frequency Response | 37Hz - 20kHz -6dB anechoic (manufacturer specified) | 28Hz - 50kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| Sensitivity | 92dB (2.83V/1m, manufacturer specified) | 88.5dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (manufacturer specified) | 4 ohms nominal (manufacturer specified) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 45Hz (manufacturer specified) | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 21Hz (manufacturer specified) | - |
| Crossover Frequency | 120Hz, 1.5kHz | - |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported (port plugs included) | - |
| Dimensions | 45.3”H x 10.8”W x 15.7”D (1150 x 275 x 400 mm) | 45”H x 10.9”W x 13.1”D (1142 x 276 x 332 mm) |
| Weight | 111.6 lbs (50.6 kg) each | 59.7 lbs (27.1 kg) |
| DIY Kit | No | - |
| Enclosure | - | Bass reflex, down-firing port |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Arendal Sound 1723 Tower THX compares with other leading options:
- ELAC Vela FS 409.2 vs Arendal Sound 1723 Tower THX
- Arendal Sound 1723 Tower THX vs JBL HDI-3600
- Arendal Sound 1723 Tower THX vs JTR Speakers Noesis 212RT
- Arendal Sound 1723 Tower THX vs Monitor Audio Silver 500 8G
- ELAC Vela FS 408.2 vs JBL HDI-3600
Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Speakers In Full
Arendal Sound 1723 Tower THX: $4,200 per pair Estimated Arendal Sound eBay
Same family: the Arendal 1723 Bookshelf S THX (smallest bookshelf, rated 4.2/5), the Arendal Sound 1723 Monitor S THX (bookshelf, rated 4.1/5), the Arendal Sound 1723 Monitor THX (largest bookshelf, rated 4.2/5), the Arendal Sound 1723 Tower S THX (smaller floorstanding, ranked lower, estimated 4.2/5), the Arendal Sound 1723 Center S THX (smaller center, estimated 3.7/5) and the Arendal Sound 1723 Center THX (larger center, estimated 3.8/5).
Pros: The large tower of Arendal’s THX Ultra certified 1723 series, with a 28mm tweeter in a waveguide and four 8” woofers in a 2.5-way layout. The measured 1723 Monitor THX, which uses the same tweeter and waveguide, scored a 5.16 Spinorama preference score. Arendal rates it to 37Hz (-6dB) anechoic with 92dB sensitivity, and supplied port plugs let you seal it for use with subwoofers.
Cons: No independent measurements yet, so its tonal balance and directivity can’t be compared directly with measured speakers; the rating is estimated from the measured 1723 Monitor THX. It weighs 50.6kg each and is a 4 ohm load.
Full Arendal Sound 1723 Tower THX review and specifications →
| Released | 2017 (9 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 21Hz (manufacturer specified) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 45Hz (manufacturer specified) |
| Crossover Frequency | 120Hz, 1.5kHz |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 45.3”H x 10.8”W x 15.7”D (1150 x 275 x 400 mm) |
| Drivers | 28mm tweeter, 4 x 8” woofers |
| Frequency Response | 37Hz - 20kHz -6dB anechoic (manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (manufacturer specified) |
| Sensitivity | 92dB (2.83V/1m, manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 111.6 lbs (50.6 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported (port plugs included) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- No independent measurement review is linked for this model; it is ranked from hands-on listening and comparison against similarly priced speakers.
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
ELAC Vela FS 408.2: $3699 per pair Estimated ELAC eBay
Same family: the ELAC Vela BS 403.2 (smaller bookshelf, estimated 4.4/5), the ELAC Vela BS 404.2 (larger bookshelf, estimated 4.3/5), the ELAC Vela FS 407.2 (smaller floorstanding, ranked higher, estimated 4.3/5), the ELAC Vela FS 409.2 (larger floorstanding, ranked higher, estimated 4.4/5) and the ELAC Vela CC 401.2 (center, estimated 4.1/5). See every ELAC Vela generation.
Pros: A larger Vela tower with three 7” AS-XR drivers and the JET 6 tweeter, rated from 28Hz at 88.5dB.
Cons: No independent measurements yet, so its tonal balance and directivity can’t be compared with ranked speakers. At 27.1 kg each it needs a medium to large room.
Full ELAC Vela FS 408.2 review and specifications →
| Released | 2024 (2 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 45”H x 10.9”W x 13.1”D (1142 x 276 x 332 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x JET 6 folded ribbon tweeter, 1x 7” AS-XR cone midrange, 2x 7” AS-XR cone woofers |
| Enclosure | Bass reflex, down-firing port |
| Frequency Response | 28Hz - 50kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (manufacturer specified) |
| Sensitivity | 88.5dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 59.7 lbs (27.1 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- No independent measurement review is linked for this model; it is ranked from hands-on listening and comparison against similarly priced speakers.
- Head-to-Head Comparisons