ELAC Vela BS 404.2 vs Perlisten R5m

Short answer: the ELAC Vela BS 404.2. Both are rated 4.3/5 for sound quality (#48 and #43 of 214 bookshelf speakers), and the ELAC Vela BS 404.2 costs $3,699 against $6,590 for the Perlisten R5m, with sound quality a draw, the lower price decides it.

The case for the ELAC Vela BS 404.2: A larger ELAC Vela BS 403.2 with a 180mm AS-XR woofer and the same JET 6 folded ribbon tweeter, rated from 38Hz to 50kHz. The catch: No independent measurements yet, so its tonal balance and directivity can’t be compared with ranked speakers.

What the Perlisten R5m does well: The standmount version of Perlisten’s DPC-Array platform (three silk-dome drivers plus dual 6.5” woofers), reaching a measured -6dB point of 50.5Hz. The catch: On-axis deviation of 0.264dB and sound-power smoothness of 0.511 are middling, with a fairly pronounced -0.29dB per octave downward tonal tilt and a bass-alignment Q of 2.40 pointing to a somewhat resonant low end.

Buy the ELAC Vela BS 404.2. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $2,891 less than the Perlisten R5m.

About the ratings: the ELAC Vela BS 404.2’s rating is estimated from measured siblings and predecessors rather than its own measurements, with a likely range of 4.0 to 4.6, so this verdict could change once it is measured.

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Specifications Side By Side

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Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 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 404.2: $3,699 per pair Estimated TMR Audio eBay

Same family: the ELAC Vela BS 403.2 (smaller bookshelf, ranked higher, estimated 4.4/5), the ELAC Vela FS 407.2 (smallest floorstanding, estimated 4.3/5), the ELAC Vela FS 408.2 (floorstanding, estimated 4.3/5), the ELAC Vela FS 409.2 (largest floorstanding, estimated 4.4/5) and the ELAC Vela CC 401.2 (center, estimated 4.1/5). See every ELAC Vela generation.

Pros: A larger ELAC Vela BS 403.2 with a 180mm AS-XR woofer and the same JET 6 folded ribbon tweeter, rated from 38Hz to 50kHz. Future Audiophile found it clear and dynamic with deep bass for a standmount.

Cons: No independent measurements yet, so its tonal balance and directivity can’t be compared with ranked speakers. At 87dB it wants 40W to 200W of amplification, and at 9.7 kg each it needs solid stands.

Full ELAC Vela BS 404.2 review and specifications →

Released	Apr 2024 (2 years ago)
Amplifier Power	40-200W recommended
Dimensions	16.2”H x 10.9”W x 13.1”D (412 x 276 x 332 mm)
Drivers	1x JET 6 tweeter, 1x 180mm AS-XR cone woofer
Enclosure	Bass reflex (down-firing port)
Frequency Response	38Hz - 50kHz (manufacturer specified)
Impedance	4 ohms nominal (manufacturer specified)
Sensitivity	87dB (manufacturer specified)
Weight	21.4 lbs (9.7 kg)

• Links
  • Official ELAC Vela BS 404.2 Product Page
• Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
  • Future Audiophile: ELAC Vela 2.0 VBS404.2 Bookshelf Speakers Reviewed
• Head-to-Head Comparisons
  • ELAC Vela BS 404.2 vs Arendal Sound 1610 Bookshelf 8
  • ELAC Vela BS 404.2 vs MoFi SourcePoint 10
  • ELAC Vela BS 404.2 vs Jamo Concert Legacy 8

Perlisten R5m: $6,590 per pair Audio Advice eBay

Same family: the Perlisten R4b (smaller bookshelf, ranked higher, rated 4.5/5), the Perlisten R5t (smaller floorstanding, rated 4.5/5), the Perlisten R7t (larger floorstanding, rated 4.3/5), the Perlisten R5c (smaller center, rated 4.5/5), the Perlisten R7c (larger center, estimated 4.4/5) and the Perlisten R4s (surround, rated 4.4/5).

Pros: The standmount version of Perlisten’s DPC-Array platform (three silk-dome drivers plus dual 6.5” woofers), reaching a measured -6dB point of 50.5Hz. A directivity-index standard deviation of 3.01 is tight for a standmount this size. THX-adjacent R-series build quality at a lower price than Perlisten’s S-series. Measured bass extension of 61.7Hz (-3dB).

Cons: On-axis deviation of 0.264dB and sound-power smoothness of 0.511 are middling, with a fairly pronounced -0.29dB per octave downward tonal tilt and a bass-alignment Q of 2.40 pointing to a somewhat resonant low end. Like the rest of the R-series it’s sold only through specialty AV dealers with per-unit pricing.

Full Perlisten R5m review and specifications →

Released	Mar 2022 (4 years ago)
Bass Extension (-10dB)	41.1Hz (measured, spinorama.org; matches manufacturer-specified 40Hz -10dB point in bass reflex mode)
Bass Extension (-3dB)	61.7Hz (measured, spinorama.org)
Country	Designed in the United States (Verona, Wisconsin)
DIY Kit	No
Dimensions	21.5”H x 9.1”W x 13.2”D (546 x 230 x 336 mm)
Drivers	3x 26mm silk dome (tweeter + 2 midrange), 2x 165mm (6.5”) HPF woofers
Enclosure	3-way, sealed / bass-reflex convertible
Impedance	4 ohms nominal, 2.7 ohms minimum
Sensitivity	89.2dB @ 2.83V/1m
Spinorama Preference Score	5.47
Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub	8.06
Weight	38.6 lbs (17.5 kg) each

• Links
  • Perlisten R5m Official Page
• Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
  • Manufacturer Measurements (spinorama.org)
• Head-to-Head Comparisons
  • Perlisten R5m vs Arendal Sound 1610 Bookshelf 8
  • Perlisten R5m vs ELAC Debut 3.0 DB63
  • Perlisten R5m vs KEF R3
  • Perlisten R5m vs KEF Q Concerto Meta
  • Perlisten R5m vs KEF R3 Meta
  • Perlisten R5m vs Jamo Concert Legacy 8
  • Perlisten R5m vs Klipsch RP-600M II
  • Perlisten R5m vs Harbeth M30.3 XD2