Short answer: the ELAC Vela BS 403.2, if you are buying new. The ELAC VELA BS 403 ranks higher than the Klipsch RP-600M II (#39 vs #120 of 214 bookshelf speakers) but is discontinued; its replacement, the ELAC Vela BS 403.2, is rated 4.4/5 at $3,299 and is still sold new.
The Klipsch RP-600M II is the more accurate choice. Redesigned waveguide extends flush to the baffle edge, reducing diffraction compared to the original Klipsch RP-600M. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 5.64 against 3.94 for the ELAC VELA BS 403. The catch: On-axis, the treble runs notably hot (even hotter than the original Klipsch RP-600M in some respects) and needs about 20° of toe-out or the grille installed to sound balanced.
The ELAC VELA BS 403 is the better-sounding, deeper-bass pick. Its bass reaches about 59Hz before falling 3dB, against 70Hz for the Klipsch RP-600M II. The tradeoff: 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.
Buy the ELAC Vela BS 403.2, the replacement for the discontinued ELAC VELA BS 403; it is rated higher for sound quality than the Klipsch RP-600M II.
Still deciding? The full Passive Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Klipsch RP-600M II | ELAC VELA BS 403 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $449.99 per pair | $2,899 per pair Discontinued |
| Ranked | #120 of 214 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #39 of 214 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 41Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 46Hz (measured average, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 70Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 59Hz (measured average, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 15.7”H x 8”W x 12.5”D (398.8 x 203.2 x 317.5 mm) | 14-3/16”H x 7-1/2”W x 9-3/8”D |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal (3.5 ohms minimum above 80Hz, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) | 4 ohms nominal, 3.2 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 86dB (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 84.3dB (measured average, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | 6.5” Cerametallic cone woofer, 1” titanium LTS vented tweeter with Tractrix horn | JET 5 folded ribbon tweeter, 6” aluminum/paper sandwich cone woofer |
| Weight | 13 lbs (5.9 kg) each | 15.7 lbs (7.1 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.64 | 3.94 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.77 | 6.28 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Frequency Response | - | 41Hz - 50kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| Recommended Power | - | up to 100W RMS |
| Crossover Frequency | - | 2.4kHz |
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More worthwhile head-to-heads for ELAC VELA BS 403:
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- Selah Audio Purezza vs ELAC VELA BS 403
- Wharfedale Linton 85 vs ELAC VELA BS 403
- Revel M126Be vs ELAC VELA BS 403
Prices on this page were last checked October 9, 2026 at 8:01 AM 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
Klipsch RP-600M II: $449.99 per pair Amazon eBay
Older model: the Klipsch RP-600M (ranked lower, rated 2.9/5). See every Klipsch Reference Premiere generation.
Same family: the Klipsch RP-500M II (smaller bookshelf, rated 4/5), the Klipsch RP-5000F II (smallest floorstanding, rated 4/5), the Klipsch RP-6000F II (floorstanding, rated 3.9/5), the Klipsch RP-8000F II (floorstanding, rated 3.9/5), the Klipsch RP-8060FA II (largest floorstanding, estimated 3.8/5), the Klipsch RP-404C II (smallest center, rated 3.7/5), the Klipsch RP-500C II (center, rated 3.9/5), the Klipsch RP-504C II (largest center, rated 3.8/5), the Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-500SA II (smaller surround, estimated 3.5/5) and the Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-502S II (larger surround, estimated 3.5/5).
Pros: Redesigned waveguide extends flush to the baffle edge, reducing diffraction compared to the original Klipsch RP-600M. Roughly 10-20° wider horizontal radiation than the original, giving more soundstage envelopment while retaining precise imaging. A major step up in overall tonal neutrality compared to the original Klipsch RP-600M, largely eliminating that model’s midrange resonance issues. Unusually, sounds better with the grille on: the grille smooths out the elevated treble rather than degrading the sound, a rare trait among speakers the reviewer has tested. More refined back-panel hardware, including anodized binding posts and jumper cables for optional bi-amping. Responds well to EQ correction (verified using measurement software and a miniDSP), letting the on-axis response be made genuinely linear. Measured bass extension of 70Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 86dB.
Cons: On-axis, the treble runs notably hot (even hotter than the original Klipsch RP-600M in some respects) and needs about 20° of toe-out or the grille installed to sound balanced. Horizontal dispersion is very slightly less linear across angles than the original Klipsch RP-600M, a minor trade-off for the wider overall radiation pattern. Klipsch’s marketed sensitivity (about 94.5dB) is, like the original, a half-space rating roughly 9dB above the anechoic reality (closer to 85-86dB). In-room bass rolls off around 60Hz in practice, and a 120Hz boost paired with a midrange scoop gives kick drums their “tambour” without real low-end weight: a subwoofer is still recommended. Vertical listening tolerance is limited to about ±10° from the tweeter axis. Toeing the speaker out for better on-axis tonality (rather than using the grille) introduces slightly more diffuse imaging from added sidewall reflections.
Full Klipsch RP-600M II review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 41Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 70Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 15.7”H x 8”W x 12.5”D (398.8 x 203.2 x 317.5 mm) |
| Drivers | 6.5” Cerametallic cone woofer, 1” titanium LTS vented tweeter with Tractrix horn |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal (3.5 ohms minimum above 80Hz, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 86dB (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.64 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.77 |
| Weight | 13 lbs (5.9 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Erin’s Audio Corner: The Truth about Klipsch’s “NEW” Sound. RP-600M Update. More from Erin’s Audio Corner →
- Erin’s Audio Corner Website Klipsch RP-600M II
- GR-Research: We Bought The "NEW" RP-600M II Is KLIPSCH Listening?! More from GR-Research →
- Erin’s Audio Corner: 5 AWESOME SPEAKERS Under $1000 You Won’t Regret
- Erin’s Audio Corner Measurements (spinorama.org)
- Erin’s Audio Corner: KEF Q1 Meta vs Emotiva vs Klipsch | The Real Differences
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- See all 118 comparisons
ELAC VELA BS 403: $2,899 per pair Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the ELAC Vela BS 403.2, ranked higher, estimated 4.4/5. See every ELAC Vela generation.
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 the competing JBL 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 JTR Speakers Noesis 210HT
- ELAC VELA BS 403 vs Selah Audio Purezza
- ELAC VELA BS 403 vs Emotiva Airmotiv XB2
- ELAC VELA BS 403 vs Dynaudio Heritage Special
- ELAC VELA BS 403 vs ELAC Debut 3.0 DB63
- See all 13 comparisons