In this review, we will be comparing EVO4.1 and Carina BS243.4, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from Wharfedale and ELAC.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Wharfedale EVO4.1 and ELAC Carina BS243.4 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Wharfedale EVO4.1 | ELAC Carina BS243.4 |
|---|
| Brand | Wharfedale
United Kingdom · founded 1932 | ELAC
Germany · founded 1926 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1.18x2.36" AMT (Ribbon) | 1" JET AMT (Ribbon) |
|---|
| Woofer | 5" Kevlar | 5.25" Aluminum |
|---|
| Frequency response | 64-22k Hz | 46-30k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 87 dB | 85 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 6 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 25-100 watts | 30-100 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 7.80kg / 17.2lbs | 6.70kg / 14.7lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 13.1" x 8.2" x 11.6"
335.0 x 210.0 x 295.0mm | 12-5/8" x 8-1/16" x 9-11/16"
321.0 x 205.0 x 247.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the Wharfedale EVO4.1 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:
| Listening Environment* |
Wharfedale EVO4.1 |
ELAC Carina BS243.4 |
| Near-field |
Average |
Average |
| Small Room |
Good |
Good |
| Mid-size Room |
Average |
Average |
| Large Room |
Poor |
Poor |
| Very Large Room |
Bad |
Bad |
(* Approximate Room sizes: Small < 100sq. ft / 9 m2,
Mid-size: 100-220 sq. ft / 9-20 m2, Large 220-400 sq. ft / 20-36 m2, Very Large: >
400 sq. ft / 36 m2.
Average Floor Height: 9" / 2.7m. Typical room sizes differ from country to country, and the actual
listening experience changes depending on floor height, room shape, surface materials, listening
position, speaker locations, etc.)
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
Drivers
Both EVO4.1 and Carina BS243.4 are 2-way speakers.
Wharfedale EVO4.1ELAC Carina BS243.4
TweeterWoofer
Front view, drawn to scale - cabinets and drivers share one scale, so sizes are directly comparable. Hover a driver for its size.
| Driver |
Wharfedale EVO4.1 |
ELAC Carina BS243.4 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1.18x2.36-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 5-inch
|
1 x 5.25-inch
|
EVO4.1 features a 1.18x2.36" AMT (Ribbon) Tweeter and 1 x 5" Kevlar 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
EVO4.1 has a frequency range of 64-22k 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 EVO4.1's min frequency of 64Hz.
The graph below depicts how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average Low Frequency values of other speakers in the Bookshelf class in our database.
Low Frequency
Bookshelf Speakers
Neither pair reaches down to 20Hz, the usual definition of full-range, which is normal for speakers of this size. If you want the bottom octave for movies or bass-heavy music, add a subwoofer to whichever you choose. Visit our Powered Subwoofers section to find out more about the available options.
Impedance and Sensitivity
EVO4.1 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. EVO4.1 sensitivity is rated at 87 dB and the Carina BS243.4's is rated at 85 dB. This 2 dB difference makes the Wharfedale EVO4.1 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. Staying
within that range gives nominal performance; driving the speaker beyond its maximum wattage can damage it.
Both handle the same maximum of 100 watts RMS, though EVO4.1 is rated 25-100 watts and Carina BS243.4 30-100 watts.
Note that higher power handling does not make a speaker louder: that depends mainly on
sensitivity and impedance. The calculator below shows how loud each of these actually plays
on a real amplifier.
Which plays louder on your amplifier?
Starting with a popular amplifier - change it to the one you own, or any you are
considering, and watch both numbers move.
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
Both EVO4.1 and Carina BS243.4 features dual binding post speaker terminals for bi-amping or bi-wiring.
Wharfedale EVO4.1's Binding post terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring
ELAC Carina BS243.4's Post terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Both EVO4.1 and Carina BS243.4 have bottom firing ports.
Physical Specs
The size of a speaker can sometimes be an important decision factor due to space constraints or in some cases purely for esthetic reasons. In this section, we are going to compare Wharfedale EVO4.1's and ELAC Carina BS243.4's external dimensions. Wharfedale EVO4.1 has external dimensions of 335.0 x 210.0 x 295.0mm (13.1 x 8.2 x 11.6inch) 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).
Wharfedale EVO4.1 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 5mm wider, 14mm taller and 48mm deeper than ELAC Carina BS243.4.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Wharfedale EVO4.1 and ELAC Carina BS243.4 in scale.
Comparison image of Wharfedale EVO4.1 and ELAC Carina BS243.4 Size and External Dimensions
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 Wharfedale EVO4.1 is approximately 619.5cm2 / 96.0inch2 and base area of the ELAC Carina BS243.4 is approximately 506.4cm2 / 78.5inch2. The EVO4.1 requires 22% more surface area than the Carina BS243.4 which gives it a small disadvantage on placement in tight spaces.
Here is another comparison that shows both speakers on a BDI Octave Media Cabinet, next to a standard size amplifier and turntable in scale:
Size Comparison image of Wharfedale EVO4.1 and ELAC Carina BS243.4 on a Media Console
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 Wharfedale EVO4.1 weighs 7.80kg / 17.2lbs and the ELAC Carina BS243.4 weighs 6.70kg / 14.7lbs. This makes the EVO4.1 16% heavier than the Carina BS243.4.
Here is a comparison of how EVO4.1 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 Wharfedale EVO4.1?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of EVO4.1:
- 2 Bookshelf loudspeakers
- 2 Grilles
- 4 Jumper-bars (pre-installed)
- 8 Self-adhesive rubber feet
- Pair of white cloth gloves
- User 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
 Sensitivity |
87 dB
vs
85 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Nominal Impedance |
8 ohms
vs
6 ohms
|
Less selective with amplifiers |
 Price per pair* |
799USD
vs
1500USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Woofer Size |
5.25 inches
vs
5 inches
|
Larger woofer |
|
Low Frequency Response |
46 Hz
vs
64 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
30k Hz
vs
22k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
321mm
vs
335mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
506cm2
vs
619cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
| General |
Wharfedale EVO4.1 |
ELAC Carina BS243.4 |
| Brand |
Wharfedale |
ELAC |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
| Power Range |
25-100 watts |
30-100 watts |
| Sensitivity |
87 dB |
85 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
6 ohms |
| Impedance |
3.5 ohms |
n/a |
| Frequency Response |
64-22k Hz |
46-30k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
5" |
5.25" |
| Woofer Composition |
Kevlar |
Aluminum |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1.18x2.36" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
AMT (Ribbon) |
JET AMT (Ribbon) |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
bottom |
bottom |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
335.0mm (13.2") |
321.0mm (12.6") |
| Width |
210.0mm (8.3") |
205.0mm (8.1") |
| Depth |
295.0mm (11.6") |
247.0mm (9.7") |
| Weight |
7.80kg (17.2lbs) |
6.70kg (14.7lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
MDF/Wood-veneer |
MDF/Polymer |
| Available Colors |
Walnut,Black,White |
Satin Black,Satin White |
| Mounting Bracket |
No |
No |
| Recommended Stand Height |
24-26" |
24-28" |
| Grille |
Yes |
n/a |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
Yes |
Yes |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
3 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
3 Years |
These sit in different price classes - ELAC Carina BS243.4 costs roughly 1.9x what Wharfedale EVO4.1 does. Expect it to lead on paper; the question is whether the gap is audible enough in your room to be worth it.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | B | ELAC Carina BS243.4 digs deeper - 46Hz against 64Hz. |
| Amplifier needs | A | Wharfedale EVO4.1 is more sensitive (87dB vs 85dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier. |
| Amplifier match | A | Wharfedale EVO4.1 is the easier load at 8 ohms. |
| Headroom | evenly matched | Similar power handling (100W vs 100W). |
| Size | depends | ELAC Carina BS243.4 is easier to place; Wharfedale EVO4.1 is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Expandability | depends | Wharfedale EVO4.1: bi-amping; ELAC Carina BS243.4: bi-amping. Wharfedale EVO4.1 sits in a wider range (7 models), so a matched surround system is easier later. |
| Price | A | Wharfedale EVO4.1 is cheaper - $799 against $1,500, about 47% less; arguably a different class. |
A Wharfedale EVO4.1 B ELAC Carina BS243.4
depends neither is better in the abstract - it turns on your room, your system or how you will use them. Only specs published for both speakers are judged; anything missing on either side is left out rather than guessed.
Which should you choose?
Wharfedale EVO4.1 has the edge on paper, though the margin is not large. The rows marked "depends" may matter more to you than the score does. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 64Hz anyway, which makes the cheaper Wharfedale EVO4.1 much easier to justify. If your amplifier is modest, vintage or valve-based, Wharfedale EVO4.1 is the safer partner - the other will want more current or more watts to sound its best.
And remember what a spec sheet cannot show: how each looks in your room and whether the finish suits it, what dealer support and warranty are like where you live, and how they actually sound to you. If you can hear them first - ideally with your own music - that will tell you more than any number above.