Short answer: the Wharfedale Aura C. Both are rated 4.1/5 for sound quality (#24 and #30 of 131 center channel speakers), and the Wharfedale Aura C costs $1,999 against $4,998 for the ELAC Vela CC 401.2, so with nothing between them on sound quality, price settles it.
Why pick the ELAC Vela CC 401.2: The Vela center, with two 150mm AS-XR woofers around a JET folded ribbon tweeter, rated from 32Hz at 88.5dB. The tradeoff: No independent measurements yet, so its tonal balance and directivity can’t be compared with ranked speakers.
Why pick the Wharfedale Aura C: True 3-way center channel featuring vertically stacked 4-inch glass-fiber midrange and AMT tweeter flanked by dual 6-inch woofers. Watch for: Substantial 46-pound weight and deep 13.8-inch cabinet require a heavy-duty audio stand or console.
Buy the Wharfedale Aura C. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $2,999 less than the ELAC Vela CC 401.2.
About the ratings: neither speaker has been measured yet, so both ratings are estimated from measured siblings and predecessors (likely ranges: ELAC Vela CC 401.2 3.8 to 4.4; Wharfedale Aura C 3.9 to 4.3). Treat this verdict as provisional.
Want more options? Browse the full Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| ELAC Vela CC 401.2 | Wharfedale Aura C | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $4,998 per pair | $1,999.00 |
| Ranked | #30 of 131 in Center Channel Speakers Estimated | #24 of 131 in Center Channel Speakers Estimated |
| Drivers | 1x JET 5 folded ribbon tweeter, 2x 5.9” AS-XR cone woofers | 27 x 90mm AMT tweeter, 4” glass fiber midrange, 2 x 6” glass fiber woofers |
| Sensitivity | 88.5dB (manufacturer specified) | 89dB (2.83V/1m) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (3.6 ohms minimum at 180Hz, manufacturer specified) | 6 ohms nominal (3.8 ohms minimum) |
| Frequency Response | 32Hz - 50kHz (manufacturer specified) | 42Hz - 22kHz (±3dB) |
| Dimensions | 7.5”H x 25.7”W x 9.2”D (191 x 653 x 233 mm) | 9.5”H x 26.3”W x 13.8”D (242 x 668 x 350 mm) |
| Weight | 26 lbs (11.8 kg) | 46.3 lbs (21.0 kg) |
| Enclosure | Bass reflex | - |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | - | 48Hz (manufacturer specified) |
| DIY Kit | - | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
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- Arendal Sound 1610 Center 8 vs Wharfedale Aura C
- Wharfedale Aura C vs Wharfedale Aura CS
- KEF R6 Meta vs ELAC Vela CC 401.2
- Arendal Sound 1610 Center 8 vs ELAC Vela CC 401.2
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 CC 401.2: $4,998 per pair Estimated ELAC eBay
Same family: the ELAC Vela BS 403.2 (smaller bookshelf, estimated 4.4/5), the ELAC Vela BS 404.2 (larger bookshelf, estimated 4.3/5), the ELAC Vela FS 407.2 (smallest floorstanding, estimated 4.3/5), the ELAC Vela FS 408.2 (floorstanding, estimated 4.3/5) and the ELAC Vela FS 409.2 (largest floorstanding, estimated 4.4/5). See every ELAC Vela generation.
Pros: The Vela center, with two 150mm AS-XR woofers around a JET folded ribbon tweeter, rated from 32Hz at 88.5dB.
Cons: No independent measurements yet, so its tonal balance and directivity can’t be compared with ranked speakers. A horizontal two-woofer layout narrows dispersion off to the sides compared with a three-way center.
Full ELAC Vela CC 401.2 review and specifications →
| Released | 2024 (2 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 7.5”H x 25.7”W x 9.2”D (191 x 653 x 233 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x JET 5 folded ribbon tweeter, 2x 5.9” AS-XR cone woofers |
| Enclosure | Bass reflex |
| Frequency Response | 32Hz - 50kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (3.6 ohms minimum at 180Hz, manufacturer specified) |
| Sensitivity | 88.5dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 26 lbs (11.8 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- No independent measurement review is linked for this model; it is ranked from hands-on listening and comparison against similarly priced speakers.
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Wharfedale Aura C: $1,999.00 Estimated Crutchfield eBay
Same family: the Wharfedale Aura 1 (smaller bookshelf, estimated 4.2/5), the Wharfedale Aura 2 (larger bookshelf, rated 4.6/5), the Wharfedale Aura 3 (smaller floorstanding, estimated 4.6/5), the Wharfedale Aura 4 (larger floorstanding, estimated 4.7/5) and the Wharfedale Aura CS (smaller center, ranked lower, estimated 3.6/5).
Pros: True 3-way center channel featuring vertically stacked 4-inch glass-fiber midrange and AMT tweeter flanked by dual 6-inch woofers. Completely eliminates horizontal lobing suckouts, providing consistent dialogue across wide seating areas.
Cons: Substantial 46-pound weight and deep 13.8-inch cabinet require a heavy-duty audio stand or console. Rating estimated based on Aura series measurements.
Full Wharfedale Aura C review and specifications →
| Released | Oct 2023 (3 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 48Hz (manufacturer specified) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 9.5”H x 26.3”W x 13.8”D (242 x 668 x 350 mm) |
| Drivers | 27 x 90mm AMT tweeter, 4” glass fiber midrange, 2 x 6” glass fiber woofers |
| Frequency Response | 42Hz - 22kHz (±3dB) |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal (3.8 ohms minimum) |
| Sensitivity | 89dB (2.83V/1m) |
| Weight | 46.3 lbs (21.0 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- No independent measurement review is linked for this model; it is ranked from hands-on listening and comparison against similarly priced speakers.
- Head-to-Head Comparisons