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Emotiva Airmotiv C1+ vs PSB Alpha C10 Comparison

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Emotiva Airmotiv C1+

Passive Center Channel | 50 Hz – 28 kHz

Emotiva Airmotiv C1+
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PSB Alpha C10

Passive Center Channel | 55-21k Hz

PSB Alpha C10
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Emotiva Airmotiv C1+ Emotiva Airmotiv C1+
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PSB Alpha C10 PSB Alpha C10
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Emotiva Airmotiv C1+
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PSB Alpha C10
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Emotiva Airmotiv C1+ vs PSB Alpha C10 Speaker Comparison

In this review, we will be comparing Airmotiv C1+ and Alpha C10, two Passive Center Channel speakers from Emotiva and PSB.

Let's have a brief look at the main features of Emotiva Airmotiv C1+ and PSB Alpha C10 first before getting into our more detailed comparison.

Emotiva Airmotiv C1+ Key Specs

  • 3-way Design
  • 25×32 mm" folded ribbon Tweeter
  • 3" Midrange
  • 2 x 5.25" woven fiber cone Woofer
  • 50 Hz – 28 kHz Frequency Response
  • 89 dB Sensitivity
  • Impedance: 4ohms
  • Power Range:Up to 120watts
  • Weight:8.45kg
  • Dimensions (H x W x D): 197.0" x 20-1/2" x 8-1/4"( 197.0 x 521.0 x 210.0mm )

PSB Alpha C10 Key Specs

  • 2-way Design
  • 3/4" dome with front waveguide Tweeter
  • 2 x 5.25" textured polypropylene Woofer
  • 55-21k Hz Frequency Response
  • 90 dB Sensitivity
  • Impedance: 8ohms
  • Power Range:15-120watts
  • Weight:7.73kg
  • Dimensions (H x W x D): 172.0" x 17-3/4" x 10"( 172.0 x 451.0 x 254.0mm )

What size room are the Emotiva Airmotiv C1+ and PSB Alpha C10 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 C1+ PSB Alpha C10
Near-field Poor Poor
Small Room Average Average
Mid-size Room Good Good
Large Room Average Average
Very Large Room Poor 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.)

In the following sections, we will get into more detail in order to better understand how the Emotiva Airmotiv C1+ and PSB Alpha C10 compare and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one of these loudspeakers is the better choice for you.


**This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.


Drivers

One of the fundamental differences between these two speakers is that Airmotiv C1+ is a 3-way design whereas the Alpha C10 is a 2-way speaker. 3-way designs utilize a midrange driver in addition to the tweeter and woofer on 2-way designs. Designing a crossover for a 3-way speaker is a complicated process and generally increases the overall cost of the speaker.

Driver Emotiva Airmotiv C1+ PSB Alpha C10
Driver Setup 3-way 2-way
Tweeter 25×32 mm-inch 3/4-inch
Midrange 1 x 3-inch -
Woofer 2 x 5.25-inch 2 x 5.25-inch

Airmotiv C1+ features a 25×32 mm" folded ribbon Tweeter , a 3" Midrange and 2 x 5.25" woven fiber cone Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 550 Hz and 2600Hz. On the other hand, the Alpha C10 features a 3/4" anodized aluminum dome with front waveguide Tweeter and 2 x 5.25" textured polypropylene Woofer .

Frequency Response

Airmotiv C1+ has a frequency range of 50 Hz – 28 kHz whereas Alpha C10 has a frequency range of 55-21k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 50Hz, the Airmotiv C1+ can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Alpha C10's min frequency of 55Hz.

Below graphs depict how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average values of the Min and Max Frequencies of other speakers in the Center Channel class in our database.

Low Frequency

Center Channel Speakers

Airmotiv C1+
Alpha C10
Min
Average
Max
High Frequency

Center Channel Speakers

Emotiva Airmotiv C1+
PSB Alpha C10
Min
Average
Max

None of these speakers achieves full range experience which is commonly agreed as 20Hz-20kHz. In order to achieve lower lows / deeper bass, we recommend you pair these with a subwoofer. Visit our Powered Subwoofers section to find out more about the available options.

Impedance and Sensitivity

Airmotiv C1+ is a 4 ohms speaker compared to the Alpha C10 which has a nominal impedance of 8 ohms. Lower impedance speakers, especially the ones that are rated at 4 ohms may put more pressure on the amplifier unit especially when played at high volume levels, so make sure the amp you pair with the Airmotiv C1+ can provide this impedance level.

These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. Airmotiv C1+ sensitivity is rated at 89 dB and the Alpha C10's is rated at 90 dB. This 1 dB difference makes the PSB Alpha C10 a more sensitive speaker compared to Emotiva Airmotiv C1+, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.

Sensitivity

Center Channel Speakers

Airmotiv C1+
Alpha C10
Min
Average
Max

Power Range

Power range is the range of input power in watts RMS that a loudspeaker is designed to handle. While using an amplifier within this range ensures the nominal performance , inputting a power that is higher than the max wattage can result in a damaged speaker.

Keep in mind that a higher max power handling value doesn't necessarily make that a louder speaker compared to a lower max handling speaker. Loudness or the sound level is also impacted by parameters such as Impedance, sensitivity and system efficiencies.

Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring

Airmotiv C1+ features Binding post posts which make bi-amping or bi-wiring possible. Alpha C10 has a 5-Way post which doesn't feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.

Emotiva Airmotiv C1+ Terminals
Emotiva Airmotiv C1+'s Binding post terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring

PSB Alpha C105-Way post Terminals
PSB Alpha C10's 5-Way post terminals

Physical Specs

Size of a speaker can sometimes become 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 C1+'s and PSB Alpha C10's external dimensions. Emotiva Airmotiv C1+ has external dimensions of 197.0 x 521.0 x 210.0mm ( 7-3/4 x 20-1/2 x 8-1/4inch) whereas PSB Alpha C10 has external dimensions of 172.0 x 451.0 x 254.0mm ( 6-3/4 x 17-3/4 x 10inch) .

PSB Alpha C10 is 70mm narrower and 25mm shorter than Emotiva Airmotiv C1+ but it is also 44mm deeper.

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 C1+ is approximately 1094.1cm2 / 169.6inch2 and base area of the PSB Alpha C10 is approximately 1145.5cm2 / 177.6inch2. The Airmotiv C1+ requires 4% less surface area than the Alpha C10 which gives it a small advantage on placement in tight spaces.

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 C1+ weighs 8.45kg / 18.6lbs and the PSB Alpha C10 weighs 7.73kg / 17lbs. This makes the Airmotiv C1+ 9% heavier than the Alpha C10.

Here is a comparison of how Airmotiv C1+ and Alpha C10's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Center Channel class.

Weight
All Center Channel Speakers
Emotiva Airmotiv C1+
PSB Alpha C10
Min
Average
Max

What's in the Box of PSB Alpha C10?

Here are the items that come with the Alpha C10:
  • Center-channel loudspeaker
  • Grille
  • 4 Self-adhesive rubber feet
  • Quick Start Guide
  • Warranty Card

  • Reasons to choose Emotiva Airmotiv C1+ over PSB Alpha C10
    Driver Setup 3-way vs 2-way Have a dedicated mid-range driver
    Low Frequency Response 50 Hz vs 55 Hz Generates deeper bass
    High Frequency Response 28k Hz vs 21k Hz Generates higher frequency
    Base Surface Area 1094cm2 vs 1145cm2 Takes less floor space
    Price per pair* 299USD vs 449USD costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time)

    Reasons to choose PSB Alpha C10 over Emotiva Airmotiv C1+

    Sensitivity 90 dB vs 89 dB Play louder with same amount of amplification power
    Nominal Impedance 8 ohms vs 4 ohms Less selective with amplifiers
    Height 172mm vs 197mm Easier to fit in smaller spaces
    Emotiva Airmotiv C1+ vs PSB Alpha C10 Specs Table
    Detailed comparison of specifications
    General Emotiva Airmotiv C1+ PSB Alpha C10
    Brand Emotiva PSB
    Speaker Type Center channel speaker Center channel speaker
    Power Range Up to 120 watts 15-120 watts
    Sensitivity 89 dB 90 dB
    Impedance 4 ohms 8 ohms
    Frequency Response 50 Hz – 28 kHz 55-21k Hz
    Drivers
    Woofer Quantity 2 2
    Woofer Size 5.25" 5.25"
    Woofer Composition woven fiber cone textured polypropylene
    Woofer Surround Material n/a rubber
    Tweeter Size 25×32 mm" 3/4"
    Tweeter Type folded ribbon dome with front waveguide
    Aimable Tweeter No No
    Midrange Driver 3" No
    Crossover Frequency 550 Hz and 2600Hz n/a
    Firing Direction rear n/a
    Physical Specs
    Height 197.0mm (7.8") 172.0mm (6.8")
    Width 521.0mm (20.5") 451.0mm (17.8")
    Depth 210.0mm (8.3") 254.0mm (10")
    Weight 8.45kg (18.6lbs) 7.73kg (17lbs)
    Enclosure Bass reflex Bass Reflex
    Finish HDF n/a
    Available Colors Black Walnut
    Grille Yes Yes
    Moisture Resistancy No No
    Connections
    Biamp Inputs Yes n/a
    Other
    Parts Warranty 5 Years 5 Years
    Labor Warranty 5 Years 5 Years

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