TrueScaleAudio
Compare speakers at true scale
Pick two speakers and see them side by side at their real-world size.
Front view — overlaid at true scale
Click either cabinet to swap A ↔ B · Reference height: 413 mm (41.3 cm) · 1 mm = 1.36 px
ELAC Vela VBS404.2vsBowers & Wilkins 705 S3
The ELAC Vela VBS404.2 and the Bowers & Wilkins 705 S3 stand at nearly the same height, around 41.2 cm tall. On footprint the ELAC Vela VBS404.2 is the wider cabinet (23.0 cm versus 19.2 cm). At 88 dB against 87 dB, the Bowers & Wilkins 705 S3 is the easier load to drive and plays louder from the same amplifier. The ELAC Vela VBS404.2 reaches deeper in the bass, down to 38 Hz versus 50 Hz. Low frequencies come from a 180 mm cone on the ELAC Vela VBS404.2 and a 165 mm cone on the Bowers & Wilkins 705 S3. Both land in a similar price bracket, around $3,700 a pair.
| A | B | |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer | ELAC | Bowers & Wilkins |
| Model | Vela VBS404.2 2.0 | 705 S3 S3 |
| HiFi ladder position | #152 of 215 bookshelf | #153 of 215 bookshelf |
| Height | 412 mm | 413 mm |
| Width | 230 mm | 192 mm |
| Depth | 332 mm | 337 mm |
| Weight | 9.7 kg | 9.58 kg |
| Enclosure | bass-reflex-rear | bass-reflex-rear |
| Drivers | 1× tweeter (JET 6 pleated-folded ribbon), 1× 180 mm mid-bass (aluminium AS-XR cone) | 1× 25 mm tweeter (Carbon Dome), 1× 165 mm mid-bass (Continuum cone) |
| Frequency — low | 38 Hz | 50 Hz |
| Frequency — high | 50000 Hz | 28000 Hz |
| Sensitivity | 87 dB | 88 dB |
| Impedance | 4 Ω | 8 Ω |
| Recommended amp | 40–200 W | 30–120 W |
| MAP (USD) | $3,699 / pair | $3,700 / pair |
| Where to buy | Check availability ↗ | Check availability ↗ |
| Brand website | elac.com ↗ | bowerswilkins.com ↗ |
| Product page | Open product page ↗ | Open product page ↗ |
Larger value highlighted in green. For low-frequency extension, lower Hz = greater bass reach, so the deeper side is highlighted.