SpeakerDecision
  • SPEAKERS by TYPE
    • Passive Bookshelf Speakers
    • Passive Floor-standing Speakers
    • Passive Center Channel Speakers
    • Passive In-wall Speakers
    • All Passive Speakers
    • Powered Subwoofers
    • Powered Stereo Speakers
  • AMPLIFIERS
  • SMART FIND

Emotiva Airmotiv C1+ vs SVS Prime Center Comparison

x
Speaker to replace
Change

Emotiva Airmotiv C1+

Passive Center Channel | 50 Hz – 28 kHz

Emotiva Airmotiv C1+
CHECK PRICE
Change
    
SVS Prime Center

Passive Center Channel | 48-25k Hz

SVS Prime Center
CHECK PRICE
Emotiva Airmotiv C1+ Emotiva Airmotiv C1+
See at AMAZON
SVS Prime Center SVS Prime Center
See at AMAZON
Emotiva Airmotiv C1+
See at AMAZON
SVS Prime Center
See at AMAZON
Emotiva Airmotiv C1+ vs SVS Prime Center Speaker Comparison

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

Let's have a brief look at the main features of Emotiva Airmotiv C1+ and SVS Prime Center 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 )

SVS Prime Center Key Specs

  • 3-way Design
  • 1" dome Tweeter
  • 3-1/2" Midrange
  • 2 x 5.25" polypropylene Woofer
  • 3-1/2" Midrange
  • 48-25k Hz Frequency Response
  • 86 dB Sensitivity
  • Impedance: 8ohms
  • Power Range:20-200watts
  • Weight:9.18kg
  • Dimensions (H x W x D): 196.0" x 18-11/16" x 9-1/8"( 196.0 x 475.0 x 232.0mm )

What size room are the Emotiva Airmotiv C1+ and SVS Prime Center 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+ SVS Prime Center
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 SVS Prime Center 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

Both Airmotiv C1+ and Prime Center are 3-way speakers.

Driver Emotiva Airmotiv C1+ SVS Prime Center
Driver Setup 3-way 3-way
Tweeter 25×32 mm-inch 1-inch
Midrange 1 x 3-inch 1 x 3-1/2-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 Prime Center features a 1" aluminum dome Tweeter , a 3-1/2" Midrange and 2 x 5.25" polypropylene Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 350Hz and 2400Hz.

Frequency Response

Airmotiv C1+ has a frequency range of 50 Hz – 28 kHz whereas Prime Center has a frequency range of 48-25k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 48Hz, the Prime Center can go slightly deeper then the Airmotiv C1+'s min frequency of 50Hz.

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+
Prime Center
Min
Average
Max
High Frequency

Center Channel Speakers

Emotiva Airmotiv C1+
SVS Prime Center
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 Prime Center 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 Prime Center's is rated at 86 dB. This 3 dB difference makes the Emotiva Airmotiv C1+ a more sensitive speaker compared to SVS Prime Center, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.

Sensitivity

Center Channel Speakers

Airmotiv C1+
Prime Center
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.

Airmotiv C1+ can handle a max power of 200 watts RMS from the amp the whereas Airmotiv C1+ has a max power handling value of 120 watts RMS , 80 watts less than the Prime Center.

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. Prime Center 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

SVS Prime Center5-Way post Terminals
SVS Prime Center's 5-Way post terminals

Cabinet Type and Port Position

Both Airmotiv C1+ and Prime Center 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.

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 SVS Prime Center'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 SVS Prime Center has external dimensions of 196.0 x 475.0 x 232.0mm ( 7-11/16 x 18-11/16 x 9-1/8inch) .

SVS Prime Center is 46mm narrower and 1mm shorter than Emotiva Airmotiv C1+ but it is also 22mm 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 SVS Prime Center is approximately 1102.0cm2 / 170.8inch2. The Airmotiv C1+ requires 1% less surface area than the Prime Center 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 SVS Prime Center weighs 9.18kg / 20.2lbs. This makes the Prime Center 9% heavier than the Airmotiv C1+.

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

Weight
All Center Channel Speakers
Emotiva Airmotiv C1+
SVS Prime Center
Min
Average
Max

What's in the Box of SVS Prime Center?

Here are the items that come with the Prime Center:
  • Center channel loudspeaker
  • Grille (pre-installed)
  • 4 Self-adhesive rubber bumpers
  • Owners Manual
  • SVS brochure
  • Online Product Registration Card

  • Reasons to choose Emotiva Airmotiv C1+ over SVS Prime Center
    Sensitivity 89 dB vs 86 dB Play louder with same amount of amplification power
    High Frequency Response 28k Hz vs 25k Hz Generates higher frequency
    Base Surface Area 1094cm2 vs 1102cm2 Takes less floor space
    Price per pair* 299USD vs 399USD costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time)

    Reasons to choose SVS Prime Center over Emotiva Airmotiv C1+

    Max Input Power 200 watts vs 120 watts Handle more power from your amplifier
    Nominal Impedance 8 ohms vs 4 ohms Less selective with amplifiers
    Low Frequency Response 48 Hz vs 50 Hz Generates deeper bass
    Height 196mm vs 197mm Easier to fit in smaller spaces
    Emotiva Airmotiv C1+ vs SVS Prime Center Specs Table
    Detailed comparison of specifications
    General Emotiva Airmotiv C1+ SVS Prime Center
    Brand Emotiva SVS
    Speaker Type Center channel speaker Center channel speaker (Premium Black Ash)
    Power Range Up to 120 watts 20-200 watts
    Sensitivity 89 dB 86 dB
    Impedance 4 ohms 8 ohms
    Frequency Response 50 Hz – 28 kHz 48-25k Hz
    Drivers
    Woofer Quantity 2 2
    Woofer Size 5.25" 5.25"
    Woofer Composition woven fiber cone polypropylene
    Tweeter Size 25×32 mm" 1"
    Tweeter Type folded ribbon dome
    Aimable Tweeter No No
    Midrange Driver 3" 3-1/2"
    Crossover Frequency 550 Hz and 2600Hz 350Hz and 2400Hz
    Firing Direction rear rear
    Physical Specs
    Height 197.0mm (7.8") 196.0mm (7.7")
    Width 521.0mm (20.5") 475.0mm (18.7")
    Depth 210.0mm (8.3") 232.0mm (9.1")
    Weight 8.45kg (18.6lbs) 9.18kg (20.2lbs)
    Enclosure Bass reflex Bass Reflex
    Finish HDF n/a
    Available Colors Black Black
    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

    Most Popular Speakers
    Klipsch Reference R-51M
    Klipsch R-51M
    2-way | 93 dB | 8 ohms
    Wharfedale Elysian 2
    Wharfedale Elysian 2
    3-way | 89 dB | 4 ohms
    ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2
    ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2
    2-way | 87 dB | 6 ohms
    Bowers & Wilkins 606 S2 Anniversary Edition
    B&W 606 S2
    2-way | 88 dB | 8 ohms
    KEF Q150
    KEF Q150
    2-way | 86 dB | 8 ohms
    Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-500M
    Klipsch RP-500M
    2-way | 93 dB | 8 ohms
    Wharfedale EVO4.1
    Wharfedale EVO4.1
    2-way | 87 dB | 8 ohms
    Bowers & Wilkins 606
    B&W 606
    2-way | 88 dB | 8 ohms
    Copyright © 2025 by SpeakerDecision
    About Privacy Contact US Camera Decision

    Report a Correction