Elac unveils a new range of sleek high-end floorstanding and bookshelf speakers

(Image credit: Elac)

High-end German manufacturer Elac has announced its new Vela 2.0 range of home cinema speakers.

The new Vela 2.0 series comprises six models:

• Three floorstanding speakers: the FS407.2, FS408.2 and FS409.2.
• Two bookshelf speakers: the BS403.2 and BS404.2
• One centre channel speaker, the CC401.2.

All the speakers feature a new version of Elac’s Jet 6 Air Motion Transformer ribbon tweeter, its ‘Crystal Membrane’ AS-XR cone woofer configuration, and bass reflex enclosures. For example, the floorstanders in the range have a bass reflex port on the underside of the speaker.

The flagship and largest floorstander, the FS409.2, is designed in a three-and-a-half-way configuration which combines two 7-inch woofers with a 6-inch mid-woofer and a Jet 6 tweeter. They are priced at $4300 per pair in gloss walnut or $4000 in gloss black or white.

The FS408.2 and FS407.2 floorstanders are both two-and-a-half-way designs and include two woofers (7- or 6-inches respectively). The 408.2 speakers are priced at $3700 per pair in walnut or $3500 for a pair in black or white, while the 407.2 pair cost $3200 or $3000 for the same respective finishes. The CC401.2 centre-channel speaker costs $2300 in walnut, black, or white, and houses a Jet 6 tweeter flanked by a 6-inch woofer on either side.

The bookshelf speakers in the range, the BS404.2 and BS403.2, are two-way designs and feature a single woofer (7- or 6-inches) with the same Jet 6 tweeter. The 404.2 speakers are priced at £3200 / $3700 for a pair in walnut or £3000 / $3500 in white or black, while the 403.2 speakers cost £2000 / $3200 in walnut or £1900 / $3000 in white or black.

Ainsley Walker is a staff writer at What Hi-Fi?. He studied music journalism at university before working in a variety of roles including as a freelance journalist and teacher. Growing up in a family of hi-fi enthusiasts naturally influenced his interest in the topic. Outside of work, Ainsley can be found producing music, tinkering with retro tech, or cheering on Luton Town.