Short answer: the ELAC Carina CC241.4. It ranks #73 of 131 center channel speakers by sound quality, rated 3.6/5, at $699. The Focal Theva Center ranks #82, rated 3.5/5, at $649, $50 cheaper, not enough of a saving to outweigh the sound-quality gap.
What the ELAC Carina CC241.4 does well: The center channel of ELAC’s Carina series, using the same JET folded ribbon tweeter as the measured ELAC Carina BS243.4 bookshelf (4.85 Spinorama preference score). Watch for: No independent measurements yet, so its tonal balance and directivity can’t be compared directly with measured speakers; the rating is estimated from the measured ELAC Carina BS243.4.
What the Focal Theva Center does well: Dual 6.5-inch Slatefiber woofers and 1-inch TNF inverted aluminum/magnesium dome tweeter. The catch: Horizontal 2-way MTM layout introduces acoustic lobing outside the primary viewing position.
Buy the ELAC Carina CC241.4. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $50 saving on the Focal Theva Center is not enough to make up the difference.
About the ratings: neither speaker has been measured yet, so both ratings are estimated from measured siblings and predecessors (likely ranges: ELAC Carina CC241.4 3.2 to 4.0; Focal Theva Center 3.3 to 3.7). Treat this verdict as provisional.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| ELAC Carina CC241.4 | Focal Theva Center | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $699.00 each | $649.00 |
| Ranked | #73 of 131 in Center Channel Speakers Estimated | #82 of 131 in Center Channel Speakers Estimated |
| Drivers | JET folded ribbon tweeter, 5.25” aluminum midrange, 5.25” aluminum woofer | 1” (25mm) TNF Al/Mg inverted dome tweeter, 2 x 6.5” (165mm) Slatefiber woofers |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 30kHz (manufacturer specified) | 59Hz - 28kHz (±3dB) |
| Sensitivity | 87dB (2.83V/1m, manufacturer specified) | 91dB (2.83V/1m) |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal, 4.8 ohms minimum (manufacturer specified) | 8 ohms nominal (3.8 ohms minimum) |
| Crossover Frequency | 100Hz, 3kHz | - |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, bottom | - |
| Dimensions | 8.3”H x 24.4”W x 7.8”D (212 x 620 x 198 mm) | 8.3”H x 20.9”W x 10.2”D (212 x 530 x 260 mm) |
| Weight | 22.5 lbs (10.2 kg) | 22 lbs (10.0 kg) |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | - | 59Hz (manufacturer specified) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How ELAC Carina CC241.4 compares with other leading options:
- Q Acoustics 5090 vs ELAC Carina CC241.4
- Arendal Sound 1961 Center vs ELAC Carina CC241.4
- Klipsch RP-504C II vs Focal Theva Center
- Focal Aria Evo X Center vs Focal Theva Center
- Polk Audio Reserve R350 vs Wharfedale EVO4.CS
Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Speakers In Full
ELAC Carina CC241.4: $699.00 each Estimated Amazon eBay
Same family: the ELAC Carina BS243.4 (bookshelf, rated 4.2/5) and the ELAC Carina FS247.4 (floorstanding, estimated 4.2/5).
Pros: The center channel of ELAC’s Carina series, using the same JET folded ribbon tweeter as the measured ELAC Carina BS243.4 bookshelf (4.85 Spinorama preference score). It is a 3-way, with a 5.25” aluminum midrange handing off to a separate 5.25” aluminum woofer at 100Hz, and a downward-firing port so it can sit on a shelf.
Cons: No independent measurements yet, so its tonal balance and directivity can’t be compared directly with measured speakers; the rating is estimated from the measured ELAC Carina BS243.4. Bass is rated to 50Hz, so a subwoofer is still needed, and the 4.8 ohm minimum impedance is a little demanding for budget receivers.
Full ELAC Carina CC241.4 review and specifications →
| Released | Aug 2019 (7 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Crossover Frequency | 100Hz, 3kHz |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 8.3”H x 24.4”W x 7.8”D (212 x 620 x 198 mm) |
| Drivers | JET folded ribbon tweeter, 5.25” aluminum midrange, 5.25” aluminum woofer |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 30kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal, 4.8 ohms minimum (manufacturer specified) |
| Sensitivity | 87dB (2.83V/1m, manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 22.5 lbs (10.2 kg) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, bottom |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- No independent measurement review is linked for this model; it is ranked from hands-on listening and comparison against similarly priced speakers.
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Focal Theva Center: $649.00 Estimated Amazon eBay
Same family: the Focal Theva N°1 (bookshelf, estimated 4/5), the Focal Theva N°2 (smaller floorstanding, estimated 4.4/5) and the Focal Theva N°3 (larger floorstanding, estimated 4.4/5). See every Focal Chora and Theva generation.
Pros: Dual 6.5-inch Slatefiber woofers and 1-inch TNF inverted aluminum/magnesium dome tweeter. High 91dB sensitivity and dynamic midbass authority reaching 59Hz (±3dB).
Cons: Horizontal 2-way MTM layout introduces acoustic lobing outside the primary viewing position. Impedance dips to 3.8 ohms minimum. Rating estimated based on Theva series testing.
Full Focal Theva Center review and specifications →
| Released | Jun 2025 (1 year ago) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 59Hz (manufacturer specified) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 8.3”H x 20.9”W x 10.2”D (212 x 530 x 260 mm) |
| Drivers | 1” (25mm) TNF Al/Mg inverted dome tweeter, 2 x 6.5” (165mm) Slatefiber woofers |
| Frequency Response | 59Hz - 28kHz (±3dB) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal (3.8 ohms minimum) |
| Sensitivity | 91dB (2.83V/1m) |
| Weight | 22 lbs (10.0 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- No independent measurement review is linked for this model; it is ranked from hands-on listening and comparison against similarly priced speakers.
- Head-to-Head Comparisons