Напольная акустика — ELAC Vela 2.0 FS408.2

The Vela 2.0 FS408.2 (ELAC model code VFS408.2) belongs to the second-generation Vela series as a passive tower, a 2.5-way bass-reflex design that pairs the ELAC JET 6 folded ribbon tweeter with two aluminium-sandwich woofers. The Vela 2.0 range also includes the VBS403.2 and VBS404.2 bookshelf models, the VCC401.2 centre and the VFS407.2 and VFS409.2 towers.

Key specs that matter

The two bass drivers are 180 mm AS-XR cones, and the tweeter is the handcrafted JET 6. Crossover frequencies are 450 Hz and 2,550 Hz. ELAC gives a frequency range of 28 Hz to 50 kHz and a sensitivity of 88.5 dB at 2.83 V and 1 m. Impedance is 4 ohm nominal with a minimum of 3.4 ohm. Power handling is 150 W nominal and 220 W peak, and the recommended amplifier power is 40 to 400 W per channel. Each speaker measures 1,142 mm high, 276 mm wide and 332 mm deep and weighs 27.1 kg, and it is not magnetically shielded.

Engineering and use context

In a 2.5-way layout both woofers run together at the bottom, while only one continues upward to the upper crossover, and the other rolls off at the lower one, so the lower driver acts as a pure bass unit. Each AS-XR cone is built as a faceted aluminium-sandwich construction, which ELAC describes as a way to damp resonance while keeping the diaphragm light and stiff, and each carries a diffuser at its centre. The JET 6 is an air motion transformer, folding a thin membrane so it moves air faster than a dome of similar size. The cabinet has a trapezoidal cross-section with softly curved sides to limit internal resonance and edge diffraction, and the bass reflex opening is placed underneath, venting into the gap above the floor. Two pairs of screw terminals accept bi-wiring or bi-amping. Lacquer options are black, white or walnut veneer, each polished to high gloss.

Pairing

The low minimum impedance points to an amplifier that is rated for low-impedance loads and can supply current, even though the sensitivity is moderate. With a pair of stereo amplifiers it is possible to drive the upper and lower sections separately through the dual terminals. Because the port vents downward, placement close to the rear wall has less effect on the bass than it would with a port on the back panel. For a combined music and film system, the VCC401.2 centre from the same series keeps the JET tweeter and AS-XR drivers across the front channels.

Alternatives

The ELAC VFS409.2 is a further tower from the Vela 2.0 line.