In this review, we will be comparing Airmotiv B2+ and Airmotiv XB2, two Passive Bookshelf speakers by Emotiva.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Emotiva Airmotiv B2+ and Emotiva Airmotiv XB2 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Emotiva Airmotiv B2+ | Emotiva Airmotiv XB2 |
|---|
| Brand | Emotiva
United States · founded 2003 | Emotiva
United States · founded 2003 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 25×32 mm" folded ribbon | 25×32 mm" folded ribbon |
|---|
| Woofer | 6.25" woven fiber cone | 6" woven fiber cone |
|---|
| Frequency response | 40-28k Hz | 55 Hz – 27 kHz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 86 dB | 86 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 4 ohms | 4 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | Up to 125 watts | Up to 125 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 7.10kg / 15.6lbs | 8.16kg / 18lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 12-3/4" x 8-1/2" x 11-1/2"
324.0 x 216.0 x 293.0mm | 12.8" x 8.5" x 11.5"
325 x 216 x 292 mm |
|---|
What size room are the Emotiva Airmotiv B2+ and Emotiva Airmotiv XB2 speakers good for?
The size of the room in which you are planning to use these loudspeakers is an important decision
factor. Here we have compared their suitability to various sizes of environments considering their size
and max power parameters:
| Listening Environment* |
Emotiva Airmotiv B2+ |
Emotiva Airmotiv XB2 |
| Near-field |
Average |
Poor |
| Small Room |
Good |
Average |
| Mid-size Room |
Average |
Good |
| Large Room |
Poor |
Average |
| Very Large Room |
Bad |
Poor |
(* Approximate Room sizes: Small < 100sq. ft / 9 m2,
Mid-size: 100-220 sq. ft / 9-20 m2, Large 220-400 sq. ft / 20-36 m2, Very Large: >
400 sq. ft / 36 m2.
Average Floor Height: 9" / 2.7m. Typical room sizes differ from country to country, and the actual
listening experience changes depending on floor height, room shape, surface materials, listening
position, speaker locations, etc.)
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
Drivers
Both Airmotiv B2+ and Airmotiv XB2 are 2-way speakers.
Emotiva Airmotiv B2+Emotiva Airmotiv XB2
Woofer
Front view, drawn to scale - cabinets and drivers share one scale, so sizes are directly comparable. Hover a driver for its size.
| Driver |
Emotiva Airmotiv B2+ |
Emotiva Airmotiv XB2 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
25×32 mm-inch
|
25×32 mm-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 6.25-inch
|
1 x 6-inch
|
Airmotiv B2+ features a 25×32 mm" folded ribbon Tweeter and 1 x 6.25" woven fiber cone Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2000Hz. On the other hand, the Airmotiv XB2 features a 25×32 mm" folded ribbon Tweeter and 1 x 6" woven fiber cone Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2600Hz.
Frequency Response
Airmotiv B2+ has a frequency range of 40-28k Hz whereas Airmotiv XB2 has a frequency range of 55 Hz – 27 kHz. With a minimum frequency of 40Hz, the Airmotiv B2+ can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Airmotiv XB2's min frequency of 55Hz.
The graph below depicts how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average Low Frequency values of other speakers in the Bookshelf class in our database.
Low Frequency
Bookshelf Speakers
Neither pair reaches down to 20Hz, the usual definition of full-range, which is normal for speakers of this size. If you want the bottom octave for movies or bass-heavy music, add a subwoofer to whichever you choose. Visit our Powered Subwoofers section to find out more about the available options.
Impedance and Sensitivity
Airmotiv B2+ and Airmotiv XB2 have the same Impedance of 4 ohms and their sensitivity is also same at 86 dB.
One thing to keep in mind that the lower impedance speakers, especially the ones that are rated at 4 ohms may put more pressure on the amplifier unit comared to higher impedance speakers especially at high volume levels, so make sure the amp you pair with the Airmotiv B2+ and the Airmotiv B2+ can provide this impedance level.
Sensitivity
Bookshelf Speakers
Power Range
Power
range is the range of input power in watts RMS that a loudspeaker is designed to handle. Staying
within that range gives nominal performance; driving the speaker beyond its maximum wattage can damage it.
Airmotiv B2+ and Airmotiv XB2 have the same power range of Up to 125 watts.
Note that higher power handling does not make a speaker louder: that depends mainly on
sensitivity and impedance. The calculator below shows how loud each of these actually plays
on a real amplifier.
Which plays louder on your amplifier?
Starting with a popular amplifier - change it to the one you own, or any you are
considering, and watch both numbers move.
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
Both Airmotiv B2+ and Airmotiv XB2 features dual binding post speaker terminals for bi-amping or bi-wiring.
Emotiva Airmotiv B2+'s Binding post terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring
Emotiva Airmotiv XB2's Binding post terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Both Airmotiv B2+ and Airmotiv XB2 have rear firing ports. Rear ported speakers generally need more room between the backside of the speaker and the wall compared to sealed and front/bottom ported speakers. Placing the speakers too close to the walls may cause the bass to sound boomy.
If you are limited in space and can't get the speakers away from the backwall, check our Speakers with Front Firing Ports page.
Emotiva Airmotiv B2+ Port
Physical Specs
The size of a speaker can sometimes be an important decision factor due to space constraints or in some cases purely for esthetic reasons. In this section, we are going to compare Emotiva Airmotiv B2+'s and Emotiva Airmotiv XB2's external dimensions. Emotiva Airmotiv B2+ has external dimensions of 324.0 x 216.0 x 293.0mm (12-3/4-inch x 8-1/2-inch x 11-1/2-inch) whereas Emotiva Airmotiv XB2 has external dimensions of 325 x 216 x 292 mm (12.8” x 8.5” x 11.5”).
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Emotiva Airmotiv B2+ and Emotiva Airmotiv XB2 in scale.
Comparison image of Emotiva Airmotiv B2+ and Emotiva Airmotiv XB2 Size and External Dimensions
Base Surface Area Comparison
Base surface area of a loudspeaker may become a determining factor when the space in your room or desk is limited.
The base surface area of the Emotiva Airmotiv B2+ is approximately 632.9cm2 / 98.1inch2 and base area of the Emotiva Airmotiv XB2 is approximately 630.7cm2 / 97.8inch2. The Airmotiv B2+ requires 0% more surface area than the Airmotiv XB2 which gives it a small disadvantage on placement in tight spaces.
Here is another comparison that shows both speakers on a BDI Octave Media Cabinet, next to a standard size amplifier and turntable in scale:
Size Comparison image of Emotiva Airmotiv B2+ and Emotiva Airmotiv XB2 on a Media Console
Weight Comparison The weight of a loudspeaker can become an important factor if you need to move and reposition the unit often. Weight of a speaker can also "sometimes" be an indicator of the rigidity of the enclosure and the quality of the internal components used. The Emotiva Airmotiv B2+ weighs 7.10kg / 15.6lbs and the Emotiva Airmotiv XB2 weighs 8.16kg / 18lbs. This makes the Airmotiv XB2 15% heavier than the Airmotiv B2+.
Here is a comparison of how Airmotiv B2+ and Airmotiv XB2's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Bookshelf class.
Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
 Woofer Size |
6.25 inches
vs
6 inches
|
Larger woofer |
|
Low Frequency Response |
40 Hz
vs
55 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
28k Hz
vs
27k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
324mm
vs
325mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Price per pair* |
499USD
vs
549USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Base Surface Area |
630cm2
vs
632cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
| General |
Emotiva Airmotiv B2+ |
Emotiva Airmotiv XB2 |
| Brand |
Emotiva |
Emotiva |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
| Power Range |
Up to 125 watts |
Up to 125 watts |
| Sensitivity |
86 dB |
86 dB |
| Impedance |
4 ohms |
4 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
40-28k Hz |
55 Hz – 27 kHz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
6.25" |
6" |
| Woofer Composition |
woven fiber cone |
woven fiber cone |
| Woofer Surround Material |
SBR |
SBR |
| Tweeter Size |
25×32 mm" |
25×32 mm" |
| Tweeter Type |
folded ribbon |
folded ribbon |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
2000Hz |
2600Hz |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
324.0mm (12.8") |
325.0mm (12.8") |
| Width |
216.0mm (8.5") |
216.0mm (8.5") |
| Depth |
293.0mm (11.5") |
292.0mm (11.5") |
| Weight |
7.10kg (15.6lbs) |
8.16kg (18lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass reflex |
Bass reflex |
| Finish |
HDF |
n/a |
| Available Colors |
Black |
Black |
| Mounting Bracket |
No |
|
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
Yes |
Yes |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
A generation apart: Emotiva Airmotiv XB2 is the newer design, against a 2020 model. Newer is not automatically better, but the older one is more likely to be discounted or near run-out.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | A | Emotiva Airmotiv B2+ digs deeper - 40Hz against 55Hz. |
| Amplifier needs | evenly matched | Similar sensitivity (86dB vs 86dB) - both want much the same power. |
| Headroom | evenly matched | Similar power handling (125W vs 125W). |
| Size | depends | Similar cabinet size - neither is easier to fit. |
| Expandability | depends | Emotiva Airmotiv B2+: bi-amping; Emotiva Airmotiv XB2: bi-amping. |
| Price | evenly matched | Much the same money ($499 vs $549 a pair). |
A Emotiva Airmotiv B2+ B Emotiva Airmotiv XB2
depends neither is better in the abstract - it turns on your room, your system or how you will use them. Only specs published for both speakers are judged; anything missing on either side is left out rather than guessed.
Which should you choose?
Emotiva Airmotiv B2+ has the edge on paper, though the margin is not large. The rows marked "depends" may matter more to you than the score does. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 55Hz anyway, so judge these on the other rows instead. Match it to your room: we rate Emotiva Airmotiv B2+ the better fit for near-field listening and a small room, and Emotiva Airmotiv XB2 for a mid-size room and a large room.
And remember what a spec sheet cannot show: how each looks in your room and whether the finish suits it, what dealer support and warranty are like where you live, and how they actually sound to you. If you can hear them first - ideally with your own music - that will tell you more than any number above.