ELAC Vela BS 403.2

The Vela BS 403.2 are compact bookshelf speakers from ELAC, designed to be placed on stands, on furniture or on a shelf. They form the reduced version of a range whose sonic orientation carries on that of ELAC's 400 series, with careful execution: a lacquered or wood-veneered cabinet, paired with brushed aluminium elements.

The acoustic work here largely concerns the geometry of the enclosure. The baffle takes on a convex shape and the edges of the cabinet are extensively rounded: two measures that reduce the influence of the speaker's own volume on the frequency response, by preventing the edges from reflecting parasitic waves back towards the listener. A waveguide complements this principle by reducing reflections generated by the baffle, while the angling of the cabinet contributes to phase alignment across the whole. According to the manufacturer, this results in a clearer definition of the sound.

On the driver side, ELAC states that it has optimised the drive units to reproduce high-energy transients with greater precision, that is, brief and vigorous attacks, percussion, plucked strings, brass. The bass register is handled by a bass-reflex alignment whose port tubes feature a double flare, a shape intended to limit air turbulence and therefore the audible chuffing noises in bass-heavy passages.

This model is aimed at listeners seeking a compact pair for a reasonably sized living room, within a classic stereo system, who place as much importance on visual integration as on listening: the Vela series has been designed for contemporary interiors, and the Walnut finish is offered as an option.

When buying used, a few checks are specific to this type of speaker. Examine the woofer suspensions, looking for hardening, glue detachment around the surround or tearing, and check that the tweeter diaphragm shows no dents or fingerprints. Then check the surround of the waveguide and the rounded edges of the baffle, whose geometry is an integral part of the acoustic tuning: an impact here is more damaging than on a cabinet with sharp edges. Run your hand inside the ports to make sure the double flare has not been damaged or obstructed. Finally, check the tightness and condition of the connection terminals, as well as the absence of crackling when handling the wiring, and check the lacquered or veneered surfaces for water marks, veneer bubbling or micro-scratches, which are very visible on these finishes.

As with any pair of speakers, it is worth checking that both units share the same finish and come from the same batch, and listening to them side by side to spot any imbalance in level or tonal character between the two channels.