ELAC Carina BS 243.4 Bookshelf Speakers

A JET Tweeter in a Foot-Tall Cabinet

The Carina BS 243.4 is a two-way standmount built around ELAC's JET folded-ribbon tweeter, the same air-motion design the company uses in its far more expensive speakers. Below it sits a 5.25-inch aluminum woofer with a compound-curvature cone.

Andrew Jones designed the Carina line, and it is the first of his ELAC speakers to use the JET tweeter. The curved aluminum cone pushes its breakup well above the crossover, which sits at 2.7 kHz. The port fires downward through the base.

Why the Port Points at the Floor

A down-firing port is less sensitive to what is behind the speaker, so the Carina is easier to place near a wall than most rear-ported designs. It also keeps port noise away from the listener.

The Numbers, and What They Ask of You

ELAC quotes 46 Hz to 30 kHz, 85 dB sensitivity at 2.83 volts and a 6 ohm nominal impedance with a 4.8 ohm minimum. Recommended amplifier power is 30 to 150 watts, with 100 watts peak handling. At 85 dB these want a capable amplifier rather than a small receiver.

How Much Room It Takes

Each cabinet is about 8.5 inches wide, 12.5 tall and 8 deep, and weighs 14.7 pounds. The side walls are not parallel, which breaks up internal reflections. Finishes are satin black or satin white.

What Reviewers Are Saying

Neil Gader reviewed the Carina BS243.4 for The Absolute Sound on March 13, 2020, describing "a sonic signature defined by a ripe, rich midrange laden with darker walnut overtones."

On the tweeter: "Critically, the JET tweeter never grows overly assertive." His one caveat was that in his room the Carina "tended on occasion to impart a thickness to the bass range," so give it space from the wall.

His close, weighing the whole package against its price class: "On a scale of sheer musicality and value, it rates very high in my book."

Who Is This Bookshelf Speaker Best For?

• You want a ribbon-style tweeter without the usual price — the JET is ELAC's signature driver, and this is the least expensive Andrew Jones speaker to carry it
• You listen for tone and ease — Gader heard a rich, slightly dark midrange and a treble that never gets aggressive, which suits long sessions
• Your speakers must sit near a wall — the down-firing port is far more forgiving of a shelf or a tight spot than a rear port
• You have a good amplifier — 85 dB and a 4.8 ohm minimum want a real integrated amplifier of 50 watts or more
• You play bass-heavy music loud in a small room — Gader found the midbass could thicken; pull them out from the wall or consider a larger, leaner speaker

How Do They Connect to Your System?

Speaker cable runs from your amplifier to a single pair of binding posts on each cabinet, red to red and black to black. These are passive speakers, so there is nothing else to power or configure.

Put them on stands so the tweeter is near ear height. Gader pulled his a couple of feet from the wall to keep the bass in balance; start there and move closer only if the bass sounds lean.

Pairs Well With

What finishes the setup. These are the categories most Carina owners shop next.

• Integrated amplifiers — 30 to 150 watts, comfortable into 4 ohms
• ELAC LS-80 speaker stands — ELAC's own 23-inch stands
• Music streamers — a clean source for a detailed tweeter
• Speaker cables — a sensible gauge for a 6 ohm load

Frequently Asked Questions

Are the Carina BS 243.4 sold as a pair?

Yes. The price is for two speakers, with grilles in the box.

How much amplifier do they need?

ELAC recommends 30 to 150 watts. Sensitivity is 85 dB and impedance dips to 4.8 ohms, so choose an amplifier that is happy into 4 ohms and budget 50 watts or more.

What is a JET tweeter?

A folded-ribbon design based on the air-motion transformer principle. A pleated film squeezes air out of its folds rather than pushing it like a dome. It moves very fast and with very little mass, which is where its speed and low distortion come from.

Can they go on a bookshelf?

Better than most. The port fires down through the base, so a wall behind them matters less. Leave the bottom of the cabinet clear so the port can breathe.

Do I need a subwoofer?

Not for music. The Carina reaches 46 Hz, and Gader was surprised by the low-end weight from a 5.25-inch driver. For film, a subwoofer adds the bottom octave.

What finishes are available?

Satin black and satin white. Both are painted finishes over a cabinet with non-parallel side walls.

See It in Action

Andrew Jones explains the Carina to Audio Advisor:

Jay's iyagi reviews the BS 243.4:

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