Short answer: both are discontinued, so this only matters if you are buying used. Used, the ELAC VELA BS 403 is the better pick: it ranks #35 of 134 bookshelf speakers by sound quality (rated 4.3/5), against #45 (rated 4.2/5) for the JBL HDI-1600. If you want one new, the AsciLab C6B ranks #6 at $1,145.
Buy the ELAC VELA BS 403 only if you find one used in good condition; both are discontinued, and it is the better rated of the two. For a new speaker, start with the AsciLab C6B instead.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| ELAC VELA BS 403 | JBL HDI-1600 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2,899 per pair Discontinued | $1980 per pair Discontinued |
| Ranked | #35 of 134 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #45 of 134 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Drivers | JET 5 folded ribbon tweeter, 6” aluminum/paper sandwich cone woofer | 1” tweeter + 6.5” woofer |
| Dimensions | 14-3/16”H x 7-1/2”W x 9-3/8”D | 14.6”H x 9.1”W x 11.4”D (370.0 x 230.0 x 288.9 mm) |
| Weight | 15.7 lbs (7.1 kg) each | 53.4 lbs (24.2 kg) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal, 3.2 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 4 ohms nominal (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Sensitivity | 84.3dB (measured average, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 85dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Frequency Response | 41Hz - 50kHz (manufacturer specified) | - |
| Recommended Power | up to 100W RMS | - |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 59Hz (measured average, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 55.7Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 46Hz (measured average, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 40Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) |
| Crossover Frequency | 2.4kHz | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.94 | 5.37 (spinorama.org) |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.28 | 7.32 (spinorama.org) |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Woofer Cabinet | - | ported, rear |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for ELAC VELA BS 403:
- Wharfedale Super Linton vs ELAC VELA BS 403
- Dynaudio Heritage Special vs ELAC VELA BS 403
- Selah Audio Purezza vs ELAC VELA BS 403
- Wharfedale Linton 85 vs ELAC VELA BS 403
- Revel M126Be vs ELAC VELA BS 403
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The Two Speakers In Full
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
JBL HDI-1600: $1980 per pair Discontinued Crutchfield eBay
Pros: CEA2034 spinorama is very flat in the critical mid-to-upper frequencies, with a slight bass boost that should have a good subjective effect and very smooth early-window directivity. Predicted in-room response in a simulated average listening room closely tracks the reviewer’s own preferred target curve. Measured bass extension of 55.7Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 85dB.
Cons: A dip appears above 10kHz on-axis. Cumulative spectral decay (waterfall) shows some messiness around the crossover along with a 700Hz resonance. Harmonic distortion rises to nearly 2% right at the 1.9kHz crossover point at 96dB SPL/1m. Discontinued.
Full JBL HDI-1600 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 40Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 55.7Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 14.6”H x 9.1”W x 11.4”D (370.0 x 230.0 x 288.9 mm) |
| Drivers | 1” tweeter + 6.5” woofer |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Sensitivity | 85dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.37 (spinorama.org) |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.32 (spinorama.org) |
| Weight | 53.4 lbs (24.2 kg) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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- JBL HDI-1600 vs Arendal 1723 Bookshelf S THX
- JBL HDI-1600 vs ELAC Debut 3.0 DB63
- JBL HDI-1600 vs Emotiva Airmotiv XB2
- JBL HDI-1600 vs Revel Concerta2 M16
- JBL HDI-1600 vs ELAC Uni-Fi Reference UBR62
- JBL HDI-1600 vs Revel M126Be
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