Short answer: pick the Wharfedale Aura 2 if you want sound quality that has been measured and ranked; the ELAC Vela BS 403.2 is unmeasured so far, so its case rests on features and price.
The case for the ELAC Vela BS 403.2: 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.
On the Wharfedale Aura 2 side: Three-way “mini tower” design with a 27x90mm AMT tweeter, 4” mid-range, and 6.5” midwoofer, using an unusual bottom-firing port.
Price: the ELAC Vela BS 403.2 lists at $3,299 and the Wharfedale Aura 2 at $2,799.
Buy the Wharfedale Aura 2 if you want a speaker whose sound quality has been measured and ranked.
Buy the ELAC Vela BS 403.2 if you prefer its design or features, and you can wait for measurements to confirm how it sounds.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| ELAC Vela BS 403.2 | Wharfedale Aura 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $3,299 per pair | $2799 per pair |
| Ranked | - | #13 of 131 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Drivers | JET 6 folded ribbon tweeter, 150mm (6”) AS-XR cone woofer | 6.5” Black Glass Fibre Matrix Cone woofer, 4” Black Glass Fibre Matrix Cone midrange, 27x90mm AMT tweeter |
| Frequency Response | 41Hz - 50kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Sensitivity | 86dB (2.83V/1m, manufacturer specified) | 87dB (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (3.2 ohms minimum) | 6 ohms nominal (3.1 ohms minimum above 80Hz, measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Power Handling | 40-200W | - |
| Crossover Frequency | 2.4kHz | - |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported | ported, rear |
| Dimensions | 362H x 191W x 240D mm | 22.1”H x 11.3”W x 15.3”D (561.3 x 287 x 388.6 mm) |
| Weight | 7.1 kg each | 45 lbs (20.4 kg) each |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 30Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | - | 56Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | - | 6.03 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | - | 7.65 |
| 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.
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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
Wharfedale Aura 2: $2799 per pair Crutchfield eBay
Pros: Three-way “mini tower” design with a 27x90mm AMT tweeter, 4” mid-range, and 6.5” midwoofer, using an unusual bottom-firing port. Nearly “ruler flat” on-axis linearity (within about 1.5dB for most of the range) apart from one specific breakup point. Exceptional output capability with very low distortion even at high volume: the reviewer reached about 100dB average at 10 feet with no audible strain, outperforming rivals like the KEF LS50 Meta in multitone distortion above 1kHz. Wide horizontal radiation of about ±70° combined with excellent imaging and pair matching: passed demanding stereo-separation test tracks with precise instrument placement. Bass reaches a genuine 40Hz in most rooms, potentially eliminating the need for a subwoofer for material that doesn’t demand extreme sub-bass. About 20dB of usable dynamic range with no compression issues at 96dB/1m. Considered by the reviewer one of the best speakers he’s tested, potentially challenging his personal all-time top five. Measured bass extension of 56Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 87dB.
Cons: A breakup/peak around 13kHz can sound sharp or shrill depending on the track, the main tonal flaw noted. Minor midbase-to-midrange balance discrepancy (about 1dB), most noticeable if the speaker sits more than about 2 feet from the rear wall. Vertical listening window is narrower than typical, a consequence of the AMT ribbon tweeter’s tall physical size: staying within about ±15-20° of the tweeter reference axis (or slightly below it) is important. Impedance dips to about 3.1 ohms with a 1.4-ohm minimum EPDR, meaning a dedicated amplifier is recommended over an AVR due to potential power-supply strain. Distortion rises at the very lowest frequencies (an expected limitation of a 6.5” woofer), and the woofer audibly struggles with extreme 30-35Hz content at high volume. Horizontal directivity narrows from about ±70° to ±50° above roughly 6-7kHz as the ribbon tweeter’s pattern collapses inward.
Full Wharfedale Aura 2 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 30Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 56Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 22.1”H x 11.3”W x 15.3”D (561.3 x 287 x 388.6 mm) |
| Drivers | 6.5” Black Glass Fibre Matrix Cone woofer, 4” Black Glass Fibre Matrix Cone midrange, 27x90mm AMT tweeter |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal (3.1 ohms minimum above 80Hz, measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 87dB (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 6.03 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.65 |
| Weight | 45 lbs (20.4 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Erin’s Audio Corner: Why the Wharfedale AURA 2 Will Blow Your Mind More from Erin’s Audio Corner →
- Erin’s Audio Corner Website Wharfedale Aura 2
- Erin’s Audio Corner: Upgrade Your Sound with These 6 Surprisingly Affordable Speakers!
- Erin’s Audio Corner: My Personal Favorite Speakers Under $2500
- Erin’s Audio Corner Measurements (spinorama.org)
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