Short answer: the Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G. It ranks #12 of 63 bookshelf speakers by sound quality at $799; the Elac Carina BS243.4 ranks #14 and costs $1199, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
On the Elac Carina BS243.4 side: JET folded-ribbon tweeter - ELAC’s signature technology, normally reserved for its pricier lines - mounted over a 5.25” aluminum-cone woofer, a genuinely differentiated tweeter for a sub-$1,200/pair stand-mount. Watch for: On-axis deviation and listening-window smoothness (0.269) are middling for this batch - more ripple in the on-axis response than the pricier active options here.
The case for the Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G: The 7th generation C-CAM Gold Dome tweeter with UD Waveguide II and RST II mid bass driver produce a listening window smoothness score of 0.50 at an accessible price, earning a Hi-Fi News Outstanding Product Award. The tradeoff: The on axis response trends noticeably upward toward the treble (measured slope +0.50 per octave, the steepest of any speaker in this batch), which can read as bright on already bright recordings.
Buy the Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Elac Carina BS243.4 and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
Specifications Side By Side
| Elac Carina BS243.4 | Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,199.00 | $799 |
| Ranked | #14 of 63 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers | #12 of 63 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 41.5Hz (measured, spinorama.org) | 50.7Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 55.7Hz (measured, spinorama.org) | 87.9Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 8.5" x 12.6" x 9.6" (216 x 319 x 245 mm) (8.5 x 12.5 x 9.6 in) each | 11.1"H x 6.5"W x 10.7"D (282 x 165 x 272 mm) (11.125 x 6.5 x 10.375 in) |
| Impedance | 6 ohm nominal, 4.8 ohm minimum | 8 ohms nominal, 3.9 ohms minimum |
| Sensitivity | 85dB (2.83V/1m) | 86dB @ 2.83V/1m |
| Drivers | JET folded-ribbon tweeter, 5.25" aluminum cone woofer | 1" C-CAM Gold Dome tweeter, 5.25" C-CAM RST II mid bass driver |
| Weight | 14.8 lbs / 6.7 kg (14.7 lb) each | 12.3 lbs / 5.6 kg (12 lbs 6 oz) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | Bass reflex | - |
| Enclosure | - | ported |
| Max SPL | - | 104dB |
| Crossover Points | - | 2.6kHz |
| Port Tuning | - | 58Hz |
| Power Output (Watts) | - | 100W RMS handling, 40-100W recommended amplifier power |
| Warranty | - | Lifetime, parts and labor |
| Country | - | China |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- Revel M105 vs Wharfedale Diamond 12.1
- Revel M105 vs JBL Studio 530
- Revel M105 vs Klipsch RP-500M II
- Arendal Sound 1961 Bookshelf vs Elac Carina BS243.4
- Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G vs Wharfedale Super Denton
The Two Speakers In Full
Elac Carina BS243.4: $1,199.00 B&H Photo ELAC America
Pros: JET folded-ribbon tweeter - ELAC’s signature technology, normally reserved for its pricier lines - mounted over a 5.25” aluminum-cone woofer, a genuinely differentiated tweeter for a sub-$1,200/pair stand-mount. Positively reviewed by Stereophile and The Absolute Sound for fatigue-free treble detail.
Cons: On-axis deviation (aad_on_axis 0.525) and listening-window smoothness (0.269) are middling for this batch - more ripple in the on-axis response than the pricier active options here. Moderate 85dB sensitivity paired with a 4.8-ohm minimum impedance wants a reasonably powerful amp. Bass extension is average for a 5.25” 2-way at 55.7Hz (-3dB) / 41.5Hz (-10dB).
Full Elac Carina BS243.4 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 41.5Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 55.7Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Dimensions | 8.5" x 12.6" x 9.6" (216 x 319 x 245 mm) (8.5 x 12.5 x 9.6 in) each |
| Drivers | JET folded-ribbon tweeter, 5.25" aluminum cone woofer |
| Impedance | 6 ohm nominal, 4.8 ohm minimum |
| Sensitivity | 85dB (2.83V/1m) |
| Weight | 14.8 lbs / 6.7 kg (14.7 lb) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | Bass reflex |
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- Links
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- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G: $799 Crutchfield
Pros: The 7th generation C-CAM Gold Dome tweeter with UD Waveguide II and RST II mid bass driver produce a listening window smoothness score of 0.50 at an accessible price, earning a Hi-Fi News Outstanding Product Award. A HiVe II reflex port system is tuned to 58Hz for real bass weight from a compact 5.25 inch two way.
Cons: The on axis response trends noticeably upward toward the treble (measured slope +0.50 per octave, the steepest of any speaker in this batch), which can read as bright on already bright recordings. The sound power directivity index also has the widest standard deviation in this batch, 3.95, meaning off axis energy tracks the on axis response less consistently than the rest of this group. Bass extension is limited to a measured 87.9Hz at -3dB, so a subwoofer is recommended for full range use, and minimum impedance dips to 3.9 ohms at 250Hz.
Full Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 50.7Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 87.9Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Country | China |
| Crossover Points | 2.6kHz |
| Dimensions | 11.1"H x 6.5"W x 10.7"D (282 x 165 x 272 mm) (11.125 x 6.5 x 10.375 in) |
| Drivers | 1" C-CAM Gold Dome tweeter, 5.25" C-CAM RST II mid bass driver |
| Enclosure | ported |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal, 3.9 ohms minimum |
| Max SPL | 104dB |
| Port Tuning | 58Hz |
| Power Output (Watts) | 100W RMS handling, 40-100W recommended amplifier power |
| Sensitivity | 86dB @ 2.83V/1m |
| Warranty | Lifetime, parts and labor |
| Weight | 12.3 lbs / 5.6 kg (12 lbs 6 oz) each |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G vs Revel M105
- Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G vs Klipsch RP-500M II
- Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G vs Wharfedale Super Denton
- Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G vs Wharfedale Diamond 12.1
- Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G vs KEF LS50 Meta
- Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G vs KEF Q150
- Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G vs Wharfedale Diamond 220
- Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G vs Polk Audio XT15