Short answer: the Wharfedale Aura 2. It ranks #13 of 222 bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 4.6/5, at $3,799. The ELAC Vela BS 403.2 ranks #33, rated 4.4/5, at $3,299, $500 cheaper, which does not close the gap in sound quality.
What the ELAC Vela BS 403.2 does well: A stylish two way bookshelf speaker with a folded ribbon tweeter, an aluminum sandwich woofer, and a choice of high gloss finishes. The catch: No independent measurements yet, so its tonal balance and directivity can’t be compared with ranked speakers.
The case for the Wharfedale Aura 2: A mini tower style bookshelf speaker with nearly flat response, huge clean output, wide sound, and bass that reaches deep in most rooms. The tradeoff: A breakup/peak around 13kHz can sound sharp or shrill depending on the track, the main tonal flaw noted.
Buy the Wharfedale Aura 2. It is rated higher for sound quality, and saving $500 with the ELAC Vela BS 403.2 does not make up for the sound-quality gap.
About the ratings: the ELAC Vela BS 403.2’s rating is estimated from measured siblings and predecessors rather than its own measurements, with a likely range of 4.2 to 4.6, so this verdict could change once it is measured.
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Specifications Side By Side
| ELAC Vela BS 403.2 | Wharfedale Aura 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $3,299 per pair | $3,799.00 per pair |
| Ranked | #33 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers Estimated | #13 of 222 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 | 14.3”H x 7.5”W x 9.4”D (362 x 191 x 240 mm) | 22.1”H x 11.3”W x 15.3”D (561.3 x 287 x 388.6 mm) |
| Weight | 15.7 lbs (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 |
Where the Ratings Come From
- ELAC Vela BS 403.2: manufacturer specifications and listening comparisons; no independent measurement has been published yet.
- Wharfedale Aura 2: Spinorama.org measurements and reviews by Erin’s Audio Corner.
This comparison is generated from the ratings, specifications and measurements on each product’s own page, and it updates when that data changes. How we rank explains how each rating is decided.
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