Short answer: the ELAC VELA BS 403 for better sound quality, the ELAC Uni-Fi Reference UBR62 for the lower price. The ELAC VELA BS 403 ranks #32 of 105 bookshelf speakers at $2899. The ELAC Uni-Fi Reference UBR62 ranks #45 at $1199, $1700 cheaper.
On the ELAC VELA BS 403 side: 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. Watch for: 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.
What the ELAC Uni-Fi Reference UBR62 offers: True three-way stand-mount using a 1-inch tweeter concentrically mounted in a 4-inch aluminum midrange plus a dedicated 6.5-inch aluminum woofer. Set against that: Erin measured very low 83dB/2.83V/1m sensitivity; his 110W Parasound was insufficient for the high-level test and the more powerful HINT 6 was needed.
Buy the ELAC VELA BS 403 if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the ELAC Uni-Fi Reference UBR62 if the price matters more than sound quality.
Specifications Side By Side
| ELAC VELA BS 403 | ELAC Uni-Fi Reference UBR62 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2,899 | $1,199/pair |
| Ranked | #32 of 105 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #45 of 105 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Drivers | JET 5 folded ribbon tweeter, 6" aluminum/paper sandwich cone woofer | 1" tweeter coaxial with 4" midrange; 6.5" woofer |
| Dimensions | 14-3/16"H x 7-1/2"W x 9-3/8"D | 14.1"H x 8.2"W x 13.1"D |
| Weight | 15.7 lbs each | - |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal, 3.2 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 4 ohms minimum near 50Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 84.3dB (measured average, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 83dB/2.83V/1m (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Frequency Response | 41Hz - 50kHz (manufacturer specified) | - |
| Recommended Power | up to 100W RMS | - |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 59Hz (measured average, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 58.6Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 46Hz (measured average, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 41.9Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Crossover Frequency | 2.4kHz | - |
| Bass Extension | - | 41Hz manufacturer specified; Erin’s response-linearity graph shows limited high-output bass headroom |
| Woofer Cabinet | - | ported, dual front slot vents |
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The Two Speakers In Full
ELAC VELA BS 403: $2,899 Amazon
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.
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.
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 |
| 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) |
| Weight | 15.7 lbs each |
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- 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 Emotiva Airmotiv XB2
- ELAC VELA BS 403 vs ELAC DB63
- ELAC VELA BS 403 vs Dynaudio Heritage Special
- ELAC VELA BS 403 vs JBL HDI-1600
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ELAC Uni-Fi Reference UBR62: $1,199/pair Amazon
Pros: True three-way stand-mount using a 1-inch tweeter concentrically mounted in a 4-inch aluminum midrange plus a dedicated 6.5-inch aluminum woofer. Erin found the directivity and overall tonality well controlled, with dual front slot vents minimizing placement sensitivity and cabinet bracing suppressing obvious coloration. The mostly 5-ohm-or-higher load is manageable for a genuinely 4-ohm-capable amplifier, and the coherent concentric upper range supports stable imaging across seats.
Cons: Erin measured very low 83dB/2.83V/1m sensitivity; his 110W Parasound was insufficient for the high-level test and the more powerful HINT 6 was needed. Impedance reaches 4 ohms near 50Hz (Erin), while woofer excursion and bass output were less capable than expected for the cabinet size. A broad 500-700Hz rise and associated lower/female-vocal coloration were audible, and the slightly subdued listening-window treble is necessary to avoid an overly bright in-room balance rather than evidence of ruler-flat axial tuning.
Full ELAC Uni-Fi Reference UBR62 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension | 41Hz manufacturer specified; Erin's response-linearity graph shows limited high-output bass headroom |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 41.9Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 58.6Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 14.1"H x 8.2"W x 13.1"D |
| Drivers | 1" tweeter coaxial with 4" midrange; 6.5" woofer |
| Impedance | 4 ohms minimum near 50Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 83dB/2.83V/1m (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, dual front slot vents |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
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- ELAC Uni-Fi Reference UBR62 vs Revel Concerta2 M16
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