In this review, we will be comparing M126Be and Carina BS243.4, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from Revel and ELAC. Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Revel M126Be and ELAC Carina BS243.4 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
What size room are the Revel M126Be 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 Revel M126Be 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.
**This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking
through my links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Drivers
Both M126Be and Carina BS243.4 are 2-way speakers.
Driver |
Revel M126Be |
ELAC Carina BS243.4 |
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
Woofer
|
1 x 6.5-inch
|
1 x 5.25-inch
|
M126Be features a 1" beryllium Hard-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 6.5" DCC Aluminum 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
M126Be has a frequency range of 54-44k 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 M126Be's min frequency of 54Hz.
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
M126Be is a 8 ohms speaker compared to the Carina BS243.4 which has a nominal impedance of 6 ohms.
These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. M126Be sensitivity is rated at 86 dB and the Carina BS243.4's is rated at 85 dB. This 1 dB difference makes the Revel M126Be 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.
M126Be can handle a max power of 150 watts RMS from the amp the whereas Carina BS243.4 has a max power handling value of 100 watts RMS, 50 watts less than the M126Be.
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. M126Be has a Binding post which doesn't feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Cabinet Type and Port Position
M126Be 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 Revel M126Be 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 Revel M126Be's and ELAC Carina BS243.4's external dimensions. Revel M126Be has external dimensions of 388.0 x 212.0 x 262.0mm ( 15-1/4 x 8-5/16 x 10-5/16inch) 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) .
Revel M126Be is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 7mm wider, 67mm taller and 15mm deeper than ELAC Carina BS243.4.
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 Revel M126Be is approximately 555.4cm2 / 86.1inch2 and base area of the ELAC Carina BS243.4 is approximately 506.4cm2 / 78.5inch2. The M126Be requires 10% more surface area than the Carina BS243.4 which gives it a small disadvantage on placement in tight spaces.
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 Revel M126Be weighs 10.00kg / 22lbs and the ELAC Carina BS243.4 weighs 6.70kg / 14.7lbs. This makes the M126Be 49% heavier than the Carina BS243.4.
Here is a comparison of how M126Be 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 Revel M126Be?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of M126Be:
Bookshelf loudspeakerGrilleFoam port plugOwners Manual
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 |
150 watts
vs
100 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
Sensitivity |
86 dB
vs
85 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
Nominal Impedance |
8 ohms
vs
6 ohms
|
Less selective with amplifiers |
Woofer Size |
6.5 inches
vs
5.25 inches
|
Larger woofer |
High Frequency Response |
44k Hz
vs
30k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
Low Frequency Response |
46 Hz
vs
54 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
Bi-Amping and Bi-Wiring |
Yes
vs
No
|
Allows bi-amping and bi-wiring connections |
Height |
321mm
vs
388mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
Base Surface Area |
506cm2 (205x247mm)
vs
555cm2 (212x262mm)
|
Takes less floor space |
Price per pair* |
1500USD
vs
4400USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
General |
Revel PerformaBe M126Be |
ELAC Carina BS243.4 |
Brand |
Revel |
ELAC |
Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
Power Range |
50-150 watts |
30-100 watts |
Sensitivity |
86 dB |
85 dB |
Impedance |
8 ohms |
6 ohms |
Frequency Response |
54-44k Hz |
46-30k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
Woofer Size |
6.5" |
5.25" |
Woofer Composition |
DCC Aluminum |
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 |
388.0mm (15.3") |
321.0mm (12.6") |
Width |
212.0mm (8.3") |
205.0mm (8.1") |
Depth |
262.0mm (10.3") |
247.0mm (9.7") |
Weight |
10.00kg (22lbs) |
6.70kg (14.7lbs) |
Enclosure |
Bass reflex |
Bass Reflex |
Finish |
Wood/Lacquer |
MDF/Polymer |
Available Colors |
Walnut,Black,White,Silver |
Satin Black,Satin White |
Mounting Bracket |
No |
No |
Recommended Stand Height |
22-26" |
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 |