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ELAC Carina BS243.4 Review
ELAC Carina BS243.4

Main Features

  • 1" JET AMT (Ribbon) Tweeter
  • 5.25" Aluminum Woofer
  • 46-30k Hz Frequency Response
  • 85 dB Sensitivity
  • Impedance: 6ohms
  • Power Range: 30-100watts
  • Weight:14.74 lbs / 6.70 kg
  • Dimensions(HxWxD): 12-5/8"x8-1/16"x9-11/16" / 321.0 x 205.0 x 247.0mm
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ELAC Carina BS243.4 Review
ELAC Carina BS243.4 ELAC Carina BS243.4
See at AMAZON

ELAC Carina BS243.4 is a 2-way Passive Bass Reflex Bookshelf speaker designed by Andrew Jones for ELAC. It features a 1" JET AMT (Ribbon) Tweeter and 1 x 5.25" Aluminum Woofer. The speaker has a frequency range of 46-30k Hz and a sensitivity of 85 dB. ELAC Carina BS243.4 has an MSRP of 1500$ per pair but can often be found around 1000$ per pair.

Room Size Suitability

The size of the room where you plan to use the ELAC Carina BS243.4 is a crucial factor in your decision. We have assessed its suitability for various room sizes based on its dimensions and maximum power output:

Listening Environment* Suitability
Near-fieldAverage
Small RoomGood
Mid-size RoomAverage
Large RoomPoor
Very Large RoomBad

(* 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.)

ELAC's Carina Series of Loudspeakers

Carina BS243.4 is a member of ELAC's Carina series of Passive speakers. Below you can see the main specs of these speakers.

ELAC Carina Series Speakers
Model Frequency SensitivityImpedance Woofer
ELAC Carina FS247.4
Compare
34-30k Hz 87 dB6Ω 1 x 5.25"
ELAC Carina BS243.4
46-30k Hz 85 dB6Ω 1 x 5.25"


**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.

Frequency Response of the ELAC Carina BS243.4 Speaker

ELAC Carina BS243.4 has a Frequency response range of 46-30k Hz at ±3dB and Power Range of 30-100 watts. With a minimum frequency of 46 Hz, Carina BS243.4 delivers moderate bass depth so depending on your use case, you might want to consider adding a subwoofer to your system.

To focus on the subwoofers that are in a similar price range with ELAC Carina BS243.4, check out the Powered Subwoofers under $1500. Alternatively, find the Full list of Powered Subwoofers regardless of the price.
Here we have a comparison of how Carina BS243.4's Low and High frequency values compare with the average, max and min Low and High frequency values in its class.
Low Frequency
Bookshelf Speakers
ELAC Carina BS243.4
Min
Average
Max
High Frequency
Bookshelf Speakers
ELAC Carina BS243.4
Min
Average
Max

Impedance and Sensitivity

ELAC Carina BS243.4's nominal impedance level is 6 ohms and has a sensitivity of 85 dB.

Sensitivity
Bookshelf Speakers
ELAC Carina BS243.4
Min
Average
Max

Nominal Impedance of the 6 Ohms makes the ELAC Carina BS243.4 a relatively difficult to drive speaker compared to more frequently found 8 ohms speakers from nominal Impedance perspective.

Sensitivity

With a sensitivity level of only 85 dB, ELAC Carina BS243.4 is a difficult to drive speaker from Sensitivity perspective, make sure to choose an amplifier with a high output if you like listening to your music at high volume levels. You may especially have a hard time using Tube amplifiers which are traditionally very low power compared to Class A/B or Class D amps.

Check the amplifiers that are in a similar price range to the ELAC Carina BS243.4:

  • Integrated Amps under 1000 USD
  • Integrated Amps under 1500 USD
  • Integrated Amps under 2000 USD
  • All Integrated Amplifiers

Input Type

Carina BS243.4 has Post type connectors and lets bi-amping/bi-wiring. Bi-wiring can enhance the overall transparency of your loudspeakers by using separate speaker wires for the low and high-frequency drivers from a single amplifier. Bi-amping, on the other hand, involves using separate amplifiers for the high and low-frequency drivers, potentially resulting in a greater dynamic range and reduced distortion.

ELAC Carina BS243.4 Terminals
ELAC Carina BS243.4's Post terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring

ELAC Carina BS243.4 External Dimensions and Weight

ELAC Carina BS243.4 has external dimensions of (Height x Width x Depth) 12-5/8 x 8-1/16 x 9-11/16inch (321.0 x 205.0 x 247.0mm ).

Base Surface Area
Base surface area of a loudspeaker may become a determining factor when the space in your room or desk is limited. The base area of ELAC Carina BS243.4 is approximately 506.4cm2 / 78.5inch2.

To get a better perspective on the real life size of ELAC Carina BS243.4, let's compare it with a standard size Compact Disc which has a diameter of 4.7inch (120mm).

ELAC Carina BS243.4 Real Life Body Size Comparison
ELAC Carina BS243.4 Speaker Size Compared to a Compact Disc

Here we place the ELAC Carina BS243.4 virtually next to a standard width amplifier and turntable on a BDI Octave Media Cabinet to get a better idea about the size.

ELAC Carina BS243.4 placed next to an amplifier and turntable
ELAC Carina BS243.4 Speaker next to an amplifier and turntable

Weight

The ELAC Carina BS243.4 weighs 6.70kg / 14.7lbs per piece. Here is a comparison of how Carina BS243.4's weight compares with the average, max and min weights in its class.

Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
ELAC Carina BS243.4
Min
Average
Max
Weight
Bookshelf Speakers under $1500
ELAC Carina BS243.4
Min
Average
Max

Cabinet type and Materials

ELAC Carina BS243.4 has a Bass Reflex type cabinet and a MDF/Polymer finish. Bass Reflex type loudspeakers (aka Ported, Vented or Reflex Port) have enclosures that uses a port, hole or vent cut into the cabinet. Ported designs are generally more efficient than the Sealed designs.

ELAC Carina BS243.4  - Side View
ELAC Carina BS243.4 - Side View

Port Position

ELAC Carina BS243.4 is a bottom-firing port speaker

Available colors

ELAC Carina BS243.4 is available in Satin Black and Satin White.

Wall Mounting

Carina BS243.4 doesn't sport any built-in mounting bracket, so you need an external structure to mount it on walls.

What's in the Box of ELAC Carina BS243.4?

Here are the items that are included inside the box of Carina BS243.4:
  • 2 Bookshelf loudspeakers
  • 4 Jumper straps (pre-intalled)
  • Operating Instructions
  • Recommended Accessories

    Here is a list of accessories that we think you may need for the ELAC Carina BS243.4.

    • Speaker Cable and Connectors
      • Speaker Cables with Banana Plugs: If you know the lenght of the cable you need, this is the easier option to connect your speakers with your amp.
      • Speaker Cables without Connectors: If you are not sure about the lenght or need longer than standard cables with plugs, choose this option.
      • Banana Connectors and Plugs: If you chose the cables without connectors option or already have some cable around, pick the banana plugs separately.
    • Vibration Isolators: IsoAcoustics isolators more affordable options too.
    • Acoustic Panels and Treatments: Your room is as important as your stereo equipment so acoustic treatments goes a long way in improving the overall performance.
    • Speaker Stands: Stands bring your bookshelf speakers to ideal height (rule of thumb is to have the tweeter level with your ear in your listening position), helps stability and acoustical isolation.

    Warranty

    3 Years of parts warranty and 3 Years of labor warranty is generally provided by the manufacturer.

    ELAC Carina BS243.4 Alternatives in Passive Bookshelf Speakers
    Model Type Sensitivity Impedance Frequency
    KEF LS50
    Compare
    2-way 85 dB 8 ohms 79-28k Hz
    ELAC Uni-Fi UB5
    Compare
    3-way 85 dB 4 ohms 46-25k Hz
    Wharfedale EVO4.2
    Compare
    3-way 88 dB 8 ohms 54-22k Hz
    ELAC Uni-Fi Ref UBR62
    Compare
    3-way 85 dB 6 ohms 41-35k Hz
    ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2
    Compare
    2-way 87 dB 6 ohms 44-35k Hz
    Wharfedale EVO4.1
    Compare
    2-way 87 dB 8 ohms 64-22k Hz
    B&W 606
    Compare
    2-way 88 dB 8 ohms 52-28k Hz
    ELAC Debut Ref DBR62
    Compare
    2-way 86 dB 6 ohms 44-35k Hz
    Frequently Asked Questions about ELAC Carina BS243.4
    What is the External Dimensions of ELAC Carina BS243.4
    What is the Speaker Sensitivity of ELAC Carina BS243.4
    is the ELAC Carina BS243.4 an easy to drive speaker?

    ELAC Carina BS243.4 Detailed Specifications

    General
    BrandELAC
    Full Model NameELAC Carina BS243.4
    Speaker Type2-way Bookshelf
    Power Range30-100 watts
    Sensitivity85 dB
    Impedance6 ohms
    Frequency Response46-30k Hz
    DRIVERS
    Woofer Size5.25-inch
    Woofer CompositionAluminum
    Woofer SurroundRubber
    Tweeter Size1-inch
    Tweeter TypeJET AMT (Ribbon)
    Port Positionbottom

    CONNECTIONS
    Connector TypePost
    Biamp InputsYes
    Port Positionbottom
    PHYSICAL SPECS
    Height321.0mm ( 12-5/8-inch)
    Width205.0mm ( 8-1/16-inch)
    Depth247.0mm ( 9-11/16-inch)
    Height321.0mm ( 12-5/8-inch)
    Weight6.70kg ( 14.74 lbs)
    EnclosureBass Reflex
    FinishMDF/Polymer
    Available ColorsSatin Black,Satin White
    Mounting BracketNo
    Recommended Stand Height24-28
    Moisture ResistanceNo
    OTHER
    Handheld RemoteNo
    Parts Warranty3 Years
    Labor Warranty3 Years
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