Short answer: the Q Acoustics 5090. It ranks #62 of 131 center channel speakers by sound quality, rated 3.7/5, at $799. The ELAC Carina CC241.4 ranks #73, rated 3.6/5, at $699, $100 cheaper, which does not close the gap in sound quality.
The case for the Q Acoustics 5090: Dual 4.5-inch C3 Continuous Curved Cone woofers paired with high-performance Point-2-Point internal bracing. The tradeoff: Impedance drops to 3.2 ohms minimum at bass frequencies.
Why pick the ELAC Carina CC241.4: 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). The tradeoff: 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.
Buy the Q Acoustics 5090. It is rated higher for sound quality, and saving $100 with the ELAC Carina CC241.4 does not make up for the sound-quality gap.
About the ratings: neither speaker has been measured yet, so both ratings are estimated from measured siblings and predecessors (likely ranges: Q Acoustics 5090 3.5 to 3.9; ELAC Carina CC241.4 3.2 to 4.0). Treat this verdict as provisional.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Q Acoustics 5090 | ELAC Carina CC241.4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $799.00 | $699.00 each |
| Ranked | #62 of 131 in Center Channel Speakers Estimated | #73 of 131 in Center Channel Speakers Estimated |
| Drivers | 1” (25mm) decoupled dome tweeter, 2 x 4.5” (110mm) C3 cone woofers | JET folded ribbon tweeter, 5.25” aluminum midrange, 5.25” aluminum woofer |
| Frequency Response | 57Hz - 30kHz (-6dB) | 50Hz - 30kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| Sensitivity | 90.5dB (2.83V/1m) | 87dB (2.83V/1m, manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal (3.2 ohms minimum) | 6 ohms nominal, 4.8 ohms minimum (manufacturer specified) |
| Dimensions | 6.5”H x 16.9”W x 9.6”D (164 x 430 x 243 mm) | 8.3”H x 24.4”W x 7.8”D (212 x 620 x 198 mm) |
| Weight | 18.7 lbs (8.5 kg) | 22.5 lbs (10.2 kg) |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Crossover Frequency | - | 100Hz, 3kHz |
| Woofer Cabinet | - | ported, bottom |
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- ELAC Carina CC241.4 vs Focal Theva Center
- Q Acoustics 5090 vs Q Acoustics 5010
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
Q Acoustics 5090: $799.00 Estimated Amazon eBay
Same family: the Q Acoustics 5010 (smaller bookshelf, estimated 3.5/5), the Q Acoustics 5020 (larger bookshelf, rated 2.2/5), the Q Acoustics 5040 (smaller floorstanding, rated 4.1/5) and the Q Acoustics 5050 (larger floorstanding, estimated 4.3/5).
Pros: Dual 4.5-inch C3 Continuous Curved Cone woofers paired with high-performance Point-2-Point internal bracing. High 90.5dB sensitivity, low distortion, and deeper bass down to 57Hz.
Cons: Impedance drops to 3.2 ohms minimum at bass frequencies. 2-way horizontal geometry exhibits narrow off-axis sweet spot. Rating estimated based on Q Acoustics 5020 and Q Acoustics 5040 measurements.
Full Q Acoustics 5090 review and specifications →
| Released | Dec 2023 (2 years ago) |
|---|---|
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 6.5”H x 16.9”W x 9.6”D (164 x 430 x 243 mm) |
| Drivers | 1” (25mm) decoupled dome tweeter, 2 x 4.5” (110mm) C3 cone woofers |
| Frequency Response | 57Hz - 30kHz (-6dB) |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal (3.2 ohms minimum) |
| Sensitivity | 90.5dB (2.83V/1m) |
| Weight | 18.7 lbs (8.5 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
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