Short answer: the ELAC Vela BS 403.2 is the newer model that replaces the ELAC VELA BS 403, but only the ELAC VELA BS 403 has been measured and ranked so far, so this comparison is on specs and features rather than sound. The ELAC VELA BS 403 is discontinued, so it is now a used buy.
What the ELAC Vela BS 403.2 offers: Two-way bass reflex stand mount with the JET 6 folded ribbon tweeter, a revised version of the JET 5 in the original Vela BS 403, and a 150mm AS-XR aluminum sandwich woofer crossed over at 2.4kHz.
What the ELAC VELA BS 403 brings: JET 5 folded ribbon tweeter pairs with a 6” aluminum/paper sandwich woofer for extended, well-controlled bass: Erin measured usable in-room extension to about 50 Hz, deeper than JBL’s competing L52 Classic despite lacking that speaker’s mild upper-bass bump.
Price: the ELAC Vela BS 403.2 lists at $3,299 and the ELAC VELA BS 403 at $2,899.
Buy the ELAC VELA BS 403 if you want a speaker whose sound quality has been measured and ranked.
Buy the ELAC Vela BS 403.2 if you want the newer model, and you can wait for measurements to confirm how it sounds.
Want more options? Browse the full Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| ELAC Vela BS 403.2 | ELAC VELA BS 403 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $3,299 per pair | $2,899 per pair Discontinued |
| Ranked | - | #35 of 131 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Drivers | JET 6 folded ribbon tweeter, 150mm (6”) AS-XR cone woofer | JET 5 folded ribbon tweeter, 6” aluminum/paper sandwich cone woofer |
| Frequency Response | 41Hz - 50kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 41Hz - 50kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| Sensitivity | 86dB (2.83V/1m, manufacturer specified) | 84.3dB (measured average, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (3.2 ohms minimum) | 4 ohms nominal, 3.2 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Power Handling | 40-200W | - |
| Crossover Frequency | 2.4kHz | 2.4kHz |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported | - |
| Dimensions | 362H x 191W x 240D mm | 14-3/16”H x 7-1/2”W x 9-3/8”D |
| Weight | 7.1 kg each | 15.7 lbs (7.1 kg) each |
| Recommended Power | - | up to 100W RMS |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | - | 59Hz (measured average, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 46Hz (measured average, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | - | 3.94 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | - | 6.28 |
| DIY Kit | - | No |
Prices on this page were last checked September 29, 2026 at 3:43 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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
The Two Speakers In Full
ELAC Vela BS 403.2: $3,299 per pair ELAC eBay
Older model: the ELAC VELA BS 403 (rated 4.3/5).
Pros: Two-way bass reflex stand mount with the JET 6 folded ribbon tweeter, a revised version of the JET 5 in the original Vela BS 403, and a 150mm AS-XR aluminum sandwich woofer crossed over at 2.4kHz. ELAC rates it at 41Hz to 50kHz and 86dB sensitivity. Three high gloss finishes.
Cons: No independent measurements yet, so its tonal balance and directivity can’t be compared with ranked speakers. It is a 4 ohm load dipping to 3.2 ohms at 260Hz, so it needs an amplifier comfortable with low impedance, and it costs noticeably more than the BS 403 did.
Full ELAC Vela BS 403.2 review and specifications →
| Crossover Frequency | 2.4kHz |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 362H x 191W x 240D mm |
| Drivers | JET 6 folded ribbon tweeter, 150mm (6”) AS-XR cone woofer |
| Frequency Response | 41Hz - 50kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (3.2 ohms minimum) |
| Power Handling | 40-200W |
| Sensitivity | 86dB (2.83V/1m, manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 7.1 kg each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- These figures are manufacturer-specified rather than independently measured.
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
ELAC VELA BS 403: $2,899 per pair Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the ELAC Vela BS 403.2. It’s likely to perform similarly, though we don’t have measurements to confirm that yet.
Pros: JET 5 folded ribbon tweeter pairs with a 6” aluminum/paper sandwich woofer for extended, well-controlled bass: Erin measured usable in-room extension to about 50 Hz, deeper than JBL’s competing L52 Classic despite lacking that speaker’s mild upper-bass bump. Compression stays within about 1 dB above 100 Hz up to 102 dB, on the better side of normal for a bookshelf this size, indicating good dynamic and transient capability. Wide, spacious soundstage radiation. Overall neutral voicing that Erin called “a really good speaker,” from the looks to the sound. Measured bass extension of 59Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 84.3dB.
Cons: Deliberate dip-and-peak voicing in the crossover region around 2 kHz reduces attack and clarity in the mids and highs: intentional per ELAC’s design, but not to Erin’s personal preference. Lower measured sensitivity (84.3 dB) means it wants more amplifier power than average to reach the same levels. Multitone distortion roughly triples, from about 1% to 3%, between 88 dB and 96 dB output, so it’s happiest at moderate listening levels. A minor distortion bump shows up around 800 Hz in the data, though Erin didn’t hear it. Discontinued and no longer sold new.
Full ELAC VELA BS 403 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 46Hz (measured average, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 59Hz (measured average, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Crossover Frequency | 2.4kHz |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 14-3/16”H x 7-1/2”W x 9-3/8”D |
| Drivers | JET 5 folded ribbon tweeter, 6” aluminum/paper sandwich cone woofer |
| Frequency Response | 41Hz - 50kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal, 3.2 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Recommended Power | up to 100W RMS |
| Sensitivity | 84.3dB (measured average, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.94 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.28 |
| Weight | 15.7 lbs (7.1 kg) each |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- ELAC VELA BS 403 vs Philharmonic BMR (v1)
- ELAC VELA BS 403 vs Revel M126Be
- ELAC VELA BS 403 vs Wharfedale Linton 85
- ELAC VELA BS 403 vs Selah Audio Purezza
- ELAC VELA BS 403 vs JTR Noesis 210HT
- ELAC VELA BS 403 vs Emotiva Airmotiv XB2
- ELAC VELA BS 403 vs ELAC Debut 3.0 DB63
- ELAC VELA BS 403 vs Dynaudio Heritage Special
- See all 14 comparisons