user76273
Novice Member
I am picking up a pair of ELAC Carina BS243.4 bookshelf speakers for my home office. I've hit the point of research fatigue and could use some guidance. I am worried about pairing the speakers with something underpowered as I have the same speakers on our main system and they sound amazing (powered by a Yamaha AVR).
System Use
This system will be used while working most likely streaming Spotify. I would like something that can easily switch between a standalone system, to using PC Audio as input, and maybe even headphones (though I doubt I can find anything that checks all those boxes).
Space
Currently office is a 10' x 10' bedroom, but will have more space when we move in ~1 year.
Space in my office is at a premium so I want to avoid some large AVR. This is what has me shying away from the Yamaha receivers like the R-N803 or R-A801, they are just really big.
Research so far
I have looked up and down the line at the following:
Speaker Specs
As far as I know, these speakers benefit from a good amp to power them. In case I am wrong, here are the specs from ELAC:
Budget
Ideally $500, but can justify up to $750-1000 USD if it's justified.
System Use
This system will be used while working most likely streaming Spotify. I would like something that can easily switch between a standalone system, to using PC Audio as input, and maybe even headphones (though I doubt I can find anything that checks all those boxes).
Space
Currently office is a 10' x 10' bedroom, but will have more space when we move in ~1 year.
Space in my office is at a premium so I want to avoid some large AVR. This is what has me shying away from the Yamaha receivers like the R-N803 or R-A801, they are just really big.
Research so far
I have looked up and down the line at the following:
- Yamaha receivers - seems ideal but they lack Airplay2, sounds like they may be updated soon? Lastly, they all share the roughly the same really big footprint.
- Peachtree nova150 - seems like overkill given they cost the same as the speakers do. Also I'd still need a streamer, RPi3, or something to work as a standalone system.
- Yamaha WXA-50 - Does not support Airplay2 and looks like it may be discontinued or updated soon? May be underpowered for the speakers I am pairing with it.
- Bluesound Powernode 2i - This was recommended by Crutchfield, but seems to just be a more expensive WXA-50 without brining much more to the table.
Speaker Specs
As far as I know, these speakers benefit from a good amp to power them. In case I am wrong, here are the specs from ELAC:
Type: 2-way Vented box
Woofer: 1 x Aluminum cone 5-1/4″
Tweeter: JET folded ribbon
Crossover frequency: 2.7kHz
Frequency range (IEC 268-5): 46Hz – 30kHz
Sensitivity: 85dB/2.83V/1m
Recommended amplifier power: 30 to 150 wpc
Peak power handling: 100W
Nominal | Minimum impedance: 6 Ohm / 4.8 Ohm
Dimensions (HxWxD): 12.54 x 08.06 x 8.54 (9.72 including speaker terminals)
Budget
Ideally $500, but can justify up to $750-1000 USD if it's justified.