ELAC VELA BS 403 vs Revel Concerta2 M16

Last updated: October 1, 2026

Short answer: the Revel Concerta2 M16 for a flat response, the ELAC VELA BS 403 for bass extension. The M16’s spinorama is essentially flat from 200Hz to 10kHz with some bass boost around 100Hz, but its harmonic distortion shows a notable peak around 80Hz, a sharp spike around 350Hz, and a woofer that gets unhappy before the tweeter handoff. The VELA reaches about 50Hz in-room with its JET 5 ribbon and 6-inch sandwich woofer, at the cost of a 2kHz dip-and-peak voicing.

ELAC VELA BS 403 vs Revel Concerta2 M16

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.

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Specifications Side By Side

ELAC VELA BS 403 Revel Concerta2 M16
Price$2,899 per pair Discontinued$600 per pair used (about), Discontinued
Ranked#35 of 134 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers#51 of 134 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers
DriversJET 5 folded ribbon tweeter, 6” aluminum/paper sandwich cone woofer25mm tweeter + 165mm woofer
Dimensions14-3/16”H x 7-1/2”W x 9-3/8”D14.8”H x 8.6”W x 10.8”D (374.7 x 218.4 x 273.3 mm)
Weight15.7 lbs (7.1 kg) each32 lbs (14.5 kg)
Impedance4 ohms nominal, 3.2 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner)6 ohms
Sensitivity84.3dB (measured average, Erin’s Audio Corner)86dB
Frequency Response41Hz - 50kHz (manufacturer specified)-
Recommended Powerup to 100W RMS-
Bass Extension (-3dB)59Hz (measured average, Erin’s Audio Corner)60.1Hz (measured, Audio Science Review)
Bass Extension (-10dB)46Hz (measured average, Erin’s Audio Corner)41.6Hz (measured, Audio Science Review)
Crossover Frequency2.4kHz-
Spinorama Preference Score3.945.06
Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub6.287.28
DIY KitNoNo
Woofer Cabinet-ported, rear

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The Two Speakers In Full

ELAC VELA BS 403: $2,899 per pair Discontinued eBay

ELAC VELA BS 403 ranking card

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 Frequency2.4kHz
DIY KitNo
Dimensions14-3/16”H x 7-1/2”W x 9-3/8”D
DriversJET 5 folded ribbon tweeter, 6” aluminum/paper sandwich cone woofer
Frequency Response41Hz - 50kHz (manufacturer specified)
Impedance4 ohms nominal, 3.2 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner)
Recommended Powerup to 100W RMS
Sensitivity84.3dB (measured average, Erin’s Audio Corner)
Spinorama Preference Score3.94
Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub6.28
Weight15.7 lbs (7.1 kg) each
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Revel Concerta2 M16: $600 per pair used (about) Discontinued eBay

Revel Concerta2 M16 ranking card

Pros: CEA2034 spinorama shows an on-axis response that’s essentially flat from 200Hz to 10kHz, with some bass boost around 100Hz. Predicted in-room response is very nice, with just extra bass and a bit of roll-off above 20kHz: the reviewer calls it “nice!” Distortion is well controlled through most of the range at both test levels. Measured bass extension of 60.1Hz (-3dB).

Cons: Harmonic distortion shows a notable peak around 80Hz and a sharp spike around 350Hz, plus the woofer appears to get a bit unhappy right before handing off to the tweeter. Cumulative spectral decay (waterfall) shows some lingering resonances in the 300Hz-1kHz region. The reviewer cautions not to over-cover the cabinet/grille area with thin fabric, as it can audibly affect the top-end response. Discontinued.

Full Revel Concerta2 M16 review and specifications →

Bass Extension (-10dB)41.6Hz (measured, Audio Science Review)
Bass Extension (-3dB)60.1Hz (measured, Audio Science Review)
DIY KitNo
Dimensions14.8”H x 8.6”W x 10.8”D (374.7 x 218.4 x 273.3 mm)
Drivers25mm tweeter + 165mm woofer
Impedance6 ohms
Sensitivity86dB
Spinorama Preference Score5.06
Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub7.28
Weight32 lbs (14.5 kg)
Woofer Cabinetported, rear
Search eBay for Revel Concerta2 M16 →