ELAC VBS404.2
ELAC’s VBS404.2 pairs a substantial 180 mm AS-XR woofer with the JET 6 tweeter for deep, authoritative bass, airy treble detail, and a precisely focused soundstage. Its 38 Hz low-end claim gives this premium stand-mount unusual scale, while high-gloss cabinetry and bi-wiring support reinforce its serious, system-building credentials.
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Nicely Roasted
Sound Quality
90/100
Build Quality
90/100
Features Connectivity
82/100
Value for Money
75/100
Pros
Large 180 mm woofer and bass-reflex tuning support unusually deep, weighty low-frequency extension for a stand-mount speaker.
JET 6 tweeter and 50 kHz claimed extension indicate detailed, spacious high-frequency performance.
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SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 90/100
Bass
91/100
Large 180 mm (≈7") woofer in a bass-reflex cabinet and a claimed IEC low limit of 38 Hz give these speakers unusually deep extension for a bookshelf. For its size the ported design and quoted frequency range support strong low-frequency output and authority, though sensitivity (87 dB) implies you may want a capable amp to fully exploit bass slam.
Mid
90/100
Two-way topology with a large cone woofer and JET 6 tweeter suggests well-rendered, full-bodied midrange with solid vocal presence. The crossover at 2.4 kHz and substantial woofer area point to good midband control and natural timbre for instruments and voices.
Treble
90/100
The JET 6 tweeter and a wide quoted upper response to 50 kHz indicate excellent extension, detail and air. Expect refined, detailed highs with low distortion, though some listeners may perceive a bright tilt depending on system matching and toe-in.
Soundstage Imaging
90/100
Large-format woofer and an advanced JET tweeter typically yield a wide, well-focused image with convincing depth and stable center imaging. The two-way design and mid/tweeter pairing support precise localization and an expansive soundstage for a stand-mount speaker.
Dynamics
88/100
Generous woofer area, bass-reflex loading and a healthy recommended amp power range (40–200 W) provide strong macro- and micro-dynamic capability when driven properly. Sensitivity of 87 dB means dynamics scale with amplifier power—best results with a robust amp.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Build Quality
90/100
High-gloss finishes and a near-10 kg cabinet suggest solid construction and premium fits/finishes. Inclusion of a bi-wiring set and optional grilles points to thoughtful accessory support and good overall mechanical quality.
Features Connectivity
82/100
Passive bookshelf baseline applied (80). Included bi-wiring set raises the score (+2) to 82; this stays within the allowed 80–85 range for passive products. No DSP/streaming expected or penalized for a passive design.
Value for Money
75/100
At a listed price of 3,699 the VBS404.2 sit at the high end of the bookshelf/stand-mount segment. They offer near-floorstander bass extension and premium finishes, so value is good for buyers who prioritize bass and build in a compact footprint, but price makes them a stretch versus many competitors.
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Specifications
- Type
- 2-way, Bass Reflex
- Woofer
- 1 × 180 mm Ø, AS-XR Cone
- Tweeter
- JET 6
- Magnetic Shielding
- No
- Crossover Frequency
- 2400 Hz
- Frequency Range (IEC 268-5)
- 38-50000 Hz
- Sensitivity
- 87 dB at 2.83 V/m
- Suitable for amplifiers from
- 4Ω - 8Ω
- Recommended Amplifier Power
- 40 - 200 W/channel
- Nominal | Peak Power Handling
- 80 W | 120 W
- Nominal | Minimum Impedance
- 4Ω | 3.2Ω at 240 Hz
- Finishes
- Black High Gloss, White High Gloss, Walnut High Gloss
- Accessories Included
- Bi-Wiring Set
- Optional Accessory
- Speaker Grilles
- Height x Width x Depth
- 412 x 276 x 332 mm
- Weight
- 9.7 kg
Manufacturer's Description — ELAC
Compact in form yet expansive in presentation, VBS404.2 brings the elegance and acoustic precision of the VELA 2.0 series into refined modern spaces. Featuring ELAC’s handcrafted JET 6 tweeter and a newly developed AS-XR crystal membrane woofer, it delivers exceptional clarity, speed, and effortless dynamics across every listening session.
The signature trapezoidal cabinet enhances both acoustics and visual presence, blending sculptural design with high-performance engineering. Whether in stereo or multi-channel systems, VELA creates a presentation that is expansive, detailed, and deeply immersive.
Cabinet Design
Sculpted for Performance
The VELA enclosure combines acoustic engineering with refined industrial design. Its signature trapezoidal form and softly curved cabinet reduce unwanted resonance and diffraction while creating a visually striking silhouette.
Finished in luxurious high-gloss lacquer or premium wood veneer, every VELA cabinet is crafted to complement modern interiors as beautifully as it reproduces music.
Acoustic Precision
Detail Without Effort
VELA pairs ELAC’s handcrafted JET 6 tweeter with advanced AS-XR crystal membrane drivers to deliver exceptional speed, clarity, and dynamic control.
From delicate high-frequency detail to powerful midrange expression, every element is engineered to create a presentation that feels open, precise, and effortlessly immersive.
AS-XR Technology
Precision, Engineered From Within
ELAC’s AS-XR crystal membrane driver combines lightweight rigidity with exceptional control to reveal extraordinary detail, speed, and dynamic accuracy.
Its faceted aluminum-sandwich construction reduces unwanted resonance while preserving the clarity, scale, and effortless realism that define VELA.
Sound, Sculpted
Sculptural design, advanced driver technology, and refined acoustic engineering come together in a speaker built to look as considered as it sounds.
The Sound of VELA
Handcrafted in Kiel, Germany, the JET 6 tweeter delivers extraordinary speed, openness, and effortless precision.
Verified Dealers
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Authorized dealers for ELAC VBS404.2
- The Music Room — online and in-store — Erie, Colorado, United States (website)
- A Tube High Fidelity — online and in-store — Almere, Flevoland, Netherlands (website)
- Accessories 4 less — online and in-store — Apopka, Florida, United States (website)
- Acoustic Sound Design — online and in-store — Las Vegas, Nevada, United States (website)
- Acoustic Sounds — online and in-store — Salina, Kansas, United States (website)
- Acoustica — online and in-store — Chester, England, United Kingdom (website)
- Addicted to Audio — online and in-store — Epping, Victoria, Australia (website)
- Adorama — in-store — New York, New York, United States (website)
- Alpha High End — online and in-store — Brasschaat, Vlaams Gewest, Belgium (website)
- Alta Fedelta — online and in-store — Lombardia, Italy (website)
and 123 more verified dealers