Elac Vela 2.0 VFS409.2 Review
Next year, Elac will celebrate its 100th company anniversary. Until then, it’s worth taking a look at speakers that are not entirely new but are still very good: For example, the Vela 2.0 VFS409.2. What could possibly go wrong with such a beautiful name? Especially when the JET6 tweeter is inside?
by Alexander Rose-Fehling
The Vela 2.0 VFS409.2 is immediately recognizable as an Elac speaker. Its crystal membranes reveal the northern German origin. And of course, the JET tweeter, Elac’s Air Motion Transformer, which in the latest series is called JET 6.
The visually and technically fascinating honeycomb structure of the midrange and woofers is referred to as AS-XR technology. This is an aluminum sandwich membrane. It’s clear that the structure isn’t just part of the system because it looks pretty. Rather, the structure makes the chassis significantly stiffer and is also supposed to extend the frequency range. What exactly that means – no idea. In any case, the crossover frequencies between the drivers are not unusual. Be that as it may: The woofers play wonderfully deep, and together with the large housing, this results in a serious and absolutely cultured bass reproduction, so much in advance.
The JET 6 tweeter is well-known; you find it in all series that are no longer in the entry-level range. It’s known for its excellent impulse response. You could also say it’s quick, which you expect from every tweeter, but there are perceptible differences here. The big advantage here is not the moving mass, although it’s low due to the lack of a heavy magnetic drive, but the ratio of membrane movement to sound pressure. The movements can be small, yet the sound pressure is still high. This promises distortion-free high-frequency reproduction.
JET, Generation 6
Just as a reminder or information: An Air Motion Transformer is a magnetostatic tweeter that uses a folded membrane located in the magnetic field of a permanent magnet. Conductor paths are placed on the membrane. When an electrical voltage is applied, current flows through the conductor paths; the membrane, more precisely the folds of the elevations, vibrate and accelerate the air between the elevations of the folded membrane. The biggest advantage of this technology is the extremely low moving mass. The foil along with the conductor paths weighs about 0.27 grams, the moving mass even only 0.2 grams. Compared to the fifth generation of JETs, the developers were able to further lower the fundamental resonance for Gen 6. This was achieved by a more flexible design of the thickness of the conductor paths. They are now sometimes thinner, sometimes thicker depending on the position, so the overall weight could also be reduced. In addition, the protective cover of the JET was changed. The four openings of the previous generation were replaced by five openings, which should lead to a more linear radiation behavior.
I was recently allowed to watch how the JETs are manufactured in Kiel and was very impressed, not least because they are really made in Kiel, and to a surprisingly large extent by hand! Folding the foil requires enormous experience, which the assembling lady undoubtedly had. Regarding the upper frequency limit, these parts are top-notch. Only beyond 50 kilohertz do they reach their limits, which is far more than humans can hear. In theory, a JET can also play further down, but here it is nevertheless only brought into play from 2.7 kHz.
The speaker has an additional base plate made of cast aluminum, which provides extra weight and lowers the center of gravity. A bass reflex opening is also located here. The Vela 2.0 VFS409.2 uses a 3.5-way design. This means that one of the basses also reproduces the midrange. The two lower drivers have a diameter of 18 cm, the midrange driver has a diameter of 15 cm. This adds up to plenty of membrane surface area. And yes, this speaker belongs in rather large rooms; if you have a smaller room, you can revert to one of the four sister models, including two floor-standing speakers. And if you have less budget available: In the upcoming issue, we will look at a compact model from the Debut series.
But first, let’s focus on this one, the big utensil with the wonderful deep tones. Michael Brecker’s “Slings And Arrows” showed that the Elac can excellently illuminate even wilder tumults. Guitar, drums, and bass can be heard perfectly separated; especially how the double bass “stays in play” here shows the class of the North Germans. It seems distinguished on one hand because the tweeter has a slight warmth, but at the same time, it’s very dynamic and lively. A pleasant sound image, but without any trace of boredom, that you can in good conscience call audiophile.
The MFSL version of Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” played minimally restrained; I’ve heard it sharper on the top end. But that’s not bad because it can quickly become too much otherwise. That the VFS409.2, however, generally grants mercy, it also showed with Counting Crows’ “American Girls”: The vocal reproduction here is also excellent! Natural, plastic, uncolored. But the song can hurt at high volumes if the resolution isn’t on point. No problem here, the Elac turns out to be a bull’s eye that’s worth its price. Explicitly also for rock listeners: With this speaker, you can enjoy Monster Magnet’s “Tab” in full length without stress. And that’s a full 32 minutes.
TEST INFORMATION
The Elac VFS409.2 shows a good efficiency and very linear behavior. The speaker has a very remarkable lower cutoff frequency of below 30 hertz and extends upwards beyond 30 kilohertz. The radiation pattern is also very good.
Even at loud 95 decibels, there is hardly any distortion; the waterfall diagram also looks very clean, showing no resonances.
With an impedance curve that lies very controlled between 4 and 7 ohms from the fundamental tone range upwards, the Elac can be recommended with a clear conscience for operation with tube amplifiers.
Specs
- Model: Elac Vela 2.0 VFS409.2
- Price for Pair: From $7,480 (Walnut finish $7,700)
- Available Colors: Black, White, Walnut (each with high-gloss finish)
- Dimensions (W x H x D): 280 x 1300 x 330 mm
- Weight: 32 kg
- Design Principle: 3.5-way bass-reflex floor-standing speaker
- Drivers:
- Midrange: 1 x 150 mm
- Bass: 1 x 180 mm
- Tweeter: 1 x JET tweeter
- Frequency Response: 28 Hz – 50 kHz
- Crossover Frequencies: 140 Hz, 360 Hz, 2700 Hz
- Power Handling: 2 x 50 Watts (4 Ohms)
- Impedance: 4 Ohms
- Warranty: 2 years
Ratings:
- Sound: 70% – 10/10
- Laboratory: 15% – 10/10
- Practical Use: 15% – 9.6/10
Strengths:
- Excellent resolution
- Natural and precise vocal reproduction
- High-quality craftsmanship
Distribution:
- Website: www.elac.com
Conclusion:
The Elac Vela 2.0 VFS409.2 is a truly audiophile speaker that fully serves the music and the enjoyment of music, turning a blind eye here and there without ever skimping on resolution. Top-quality workmanship and very attractive to boot. A speaker for the discerning listener.
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