In this review, we will be comparing A120 and Carina BS243.4, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from JBL and ELAC. Let's have a brief look at the main features
of JBL A120 and ELAC Carina BS243.4 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
What size room are the JBL A120 and ELAC Carina BS243.4 speakers good for?
The size of the room in which you are planning to use these loudspeakers is an important decision factor. Here we have compared their suitability to various sizes of environments considering their size and max power parameters:
In the following sections, we will get into more detail in order to better understand how the JBL A120 and ELAC Carina BS243.4 compare and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one of these loudspeakers is the better choice for you.
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Drivers
Both A120 and Carina BS243.4 are 2-way speakers.
Driver |
JBL A120 |
ELAC Carina BS243.4 |
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
Woofer
|
1 x 4.5-inch
|
1 x 5.25-inch
|
A120 features a 1" aluminum Hard-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 4.5" Polycellulose Woofer . On the other hand, the Carina BS243.4 features a 1" JET AMT (Ribbon) Tweeter and 1 x 5.25" Aluminum Woofer .
Frequency Response
A120 has a frequency range of 60-40k Hz whereas Carina BS243.4 has a frequency range of 46-30k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 46Hz, the Carina BS243.4 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the A120's min frequency of 60Hz.
Below graphs depict how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average values of the Min and Max Frequencies of other speakers in the Bookshelf class in our database.
Low Frequency
Bookshelf Speakers
High Frequency
Bookshelf Speakers
None of these speakers achieves full range experience which is commonly agreed as 20Hz-20kHz. In order to achieve lower lows / deeper bass, we recommend you pair these with a subwoofer. Visit our Powered Subwoofers section to find out more about the available options.
Impedance and Sensitivity
A120 and Carina BS243.4 have the same Impedance of 6 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. A120 sensitivity is rated at 86 dB and the Carina BS243.4's is at 85 dB. This 1 dB difference makes the JBL A120 a more sensitive speaker compared to ELAC Carina BS243.4, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
Sensitivity
Bookshelf Speakers
Power Range
Power
range is the range of input power in watts RMS that a loudspeaker is designed to handle. While using an amplifier within this range ensures the nominal performance , inputting a power that is higher than the max wattage can result in a damaged speaker.
A120 can handle a max power of 125 watts RMS from the amp the whereas Carina BS243.4 has a max power handling value of 100 watts RMS, 25 watts less than the A120.
Keep in mind that a higher max power handling value doesn't necessarily make that a louder speaker
compared to a lower max handling speaker. Loudness or the sound level is also impacted by parameters
such as Impedance, sensitivity and system efficiencies.
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
Carina BS243.4 features Post posts which make bi-amping or bi-wiring possible. A120 has a 5-way post which doesn't feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Cabinet Type and Port Position
A120 has a rear firing port whereas Carina BS243.4 has a bottom firing ports. ELAC Carina BS243.4's bottom-firing port gives more flexibility in placement in regards to proximity to walls compared to JBL A120 with its rear-firing port.
Physical Specs
Size of a speaker can sometimes become an important decision factor due to space constraints or in some cases purely for esthetic reasons. In this section, we are going to compare JBL A120's and ELAC Carina BS243.4's external dimensions. JBL A120 has external dimensions of 286.0 x 172.0 x 189.0mm ( 11-1/4 x 6-3/4 x 7-7/16inch) whereas ELAC Carina BS243.4 has external dimensions of 321.0 x 205.0 x 247.0mm ( 12-5/8 x 8-1/16 x 9-11/16inch) .
ELAC Carina BS243.4 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 33mm wider, 35mm taller and 58mm deeper than JBL A120.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of JBL A120 and ELAC Carina BS243.4 in scale.
Base Surface Area Comparison
Base surface area of a loudspeaker may become a determining factor when the space in your room or desk is limited.
The base surface area of the JBL A120 is approximately 325.1cm2 / 50.4inch2 and base area of the ELAC Carina BS243.4 is approximately 506.4cm2 / 78.5inch2. The A120 requires 36% less surface area than the Carina BS243.4 which gives it a small advantage on placement in tight spaces.
Here is an another comparison that shows both speakers on a BDI Octave Media Cabinet, next to a standard size amplifier and turntable in scale:
Weight Comparison The weight of a loudspeaker can become an important factor if you need to move and reposition the unit often. Weight of a speaker can also "sometimes" be an indicator of the rigidity of the enclosure and the quality of the internal components used. The JBL A120 weighs 3.82kg / 8.4lbs and the ELAC Carina BS243.4 weighs 6.70kg / 14.7lbs. This makes the Carina BS243.4 75% heavier than the A120.
Here is a comparison of how A120 and Carina BS243.4's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Bookshelf class.
Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
What's in the Box of JBL A120?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of A120:
2 Bookshelf loudspeakers2 Grilles2 Foam plugs4 Brackets8 Rubber feet8 Screws (M6 x 8mm)Owner-feets ManualWarranty Card
What's in the Box of ELAC Carina BS243.4?
Here are the items that come with the Carina BS243.4:
2 Bookshelf loudspeakers 4 Jumper straps (pre-intalled) Operating Instructions
Max Input Power |
125 watts
vs
100 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
Sensitivity |
86 dB
vs
85 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
High Frequency Response |
40k Hz
vs
30k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
Mounting Bracket |
Yes
vs
No
|
Allows mounting on walls |
Height |
286mm
vs
321mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
Base Surface Area |
325cm2 (172x189mm)
vs
506cm2 (205x247mm)
|
Takes less floor space |
Price per pair* |
250USD
vs
1500USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
Woofer Size |
5.25 inches
vs
4.5 inches
|
Larger woofer |
Low Frequency Response |
46 Hz
vs
60 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
Bi-Amping and Bi-Wiring |
Yes
vs
No
|
Allows bi-amping and bi-wiring connections |
General |
JBL Stage A120 |
ELAC Carina BS243.4 |
Brand |
JBL |
ELAC |
Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
Power Range |
20-125 watts |
30-100 watts |
Sensitivity |
86 dB |
85 dB |
Impedance |
6 ohms |
6 ohms |
Frequency Response |
60-40k Hz |
46-30k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
Woofer Size |
4.5" |
5.25" |
Woofer Composition |
Polycellulose |
Aluminum |
Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
Rubber |
Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
Tweeter Type |
Hard-Dome |
JET AMT (Ribbon) |
Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
Firing Direction |
rear |
bottom |
Physical Specs |
|
|
Height |
286.0mm (11.3") |
321.0mm (12.6") |
Width |
172.0mm (6.8") |
205.0mm (8.1") |
Depth |
189.0mm (7.4") |
247.0mm (9.7") |
Weight |
3.82kg (8.4lbs) |
6.70kg (14.7lbs) |
Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
Finish |
MDF, Vinyl |
MDF/Polymer |
Available Colors |
Black |
Satin Black,Satin White |
Mounting Bracket |
Keyholes w/ bracket |
No |
Recommended Stand Height |
26-28" |
24-28" |
Grille |
Yes |
n/a |
Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Biamp Inputs |
No |
Yes |
Other |
|
|
Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
3 Years |
Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
3 Years |