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Emotiva Airmotiv C2+ vs JBL HDI-4500 Comparison

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Emotiva Airmotiv C2+

Passive Center Channel | 45 Hz – 28 kHz

Emotiva Airmotiv C2+
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JBL HDI-4500

Passive Center Channel | 50-30k Hz

JBL HDI-4500
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Emotiva Airmotiv C2+ Emotiva Airmotiv C2+
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JBL HDI-4500 JBL HDI-4500
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Emotiva Airmotiv C2+
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JBL HDI-4500
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Emotiva Airmotiv C2+ vs JBL HDI-4500 Speaker Comparison

In this review, we will be comparing Airmotiv C2+ and HDI-4500, two Passive Center Channel speakers from Emotiva and JBL.

Let's have a brief look at the main features of Emotiva Airmotiv C2+ and JBL HDI-4500 first before getting into our more detailed comparison.

Emotiva Airmotiv C2+ Key Specs

  • 3-way Design
  • 25×32 mm" folded ribbon Tweeter
  • 3" Midrange
  • 2 x 6.5" woven fiber cone Woofer
  • 45 Hz – 28 kHz Frequency Response
  • 92 dB Sensitivity
  • Impedance: 4ohms
  • Power Range:Up to 150watts
  • Weight:16.40kg
  • Dimensions (H x W x D): 220.0" x 31-15/16" x 10-1/2"( 220.0 x 812.0 x 267.0mm )

JBL HDI-4500 Key Specs

  • 2-way Design
  • 1" horn-loaded high-frequency compression Tweeter
  • 4 x 5.25" Advanced Aluminum Matrix cone Woofer
  • 50-30k Hz Frequency Response
  • 90 dB Sensitivity
  • Impedance: 4ohms
  • Power Range:20-250watts
  • Weight:20.15kg
  • Dimensions (H x W x D): 197.0" x 33-1/8" x 12-3/16"( 197.0 x 842.0 x 310.0mm )

What size room are the Emotiva Airmotiv C2+ and JBL HDI-4500 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 C2+ JBL HDI-4500
Near-field Poor Poor
Small Room Average Poor
Mid-size Room Good Good
Large Room Average Good
Very Large Room Poor Average

(* 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 C2+ and JBL HDI-4500 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 C2+ is a 3-way design whereas the HDI-4500 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 C2+ JBL HDI-4500
Driver Setup 3-way 2-way
Tweeter 25×32 mm-inch 1-inch
Midrange 2 x 3-inch -
Woofer 2 x 6.5-inch 4 x 5.25-inch

Airmotiv C2+ features a 25×32 mm" folded ribbon Tweeter , a 3" Midrange and 2 x 6.5" woven fiber cone Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 350 Hz and 3200Hz. On the other hand, the HDI-4500 features a 1" horn-loaded high-frequency compression Tweeter and 4 x 5.25" Advanced Aluminum Matrix cone Woofer .

Frequency Response

Airmotiv C2+ has a frequency range of 45 Hz – 28 kHz whereas HDI-4500 has a frequency range of 50-30k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 45Hz, the Airmotiv C2+ can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the HDI-4500'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 C2+
HDI-4500
Min
Average
Max
High Frequency

Center Channel Speakers

Emotiva Airmotiv C2+
JBL HDI-4500
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 C2+ and HDI-4500 have the same Impedance of 4 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. Airmotiv C2+ sensitivity is rated at 92 dB and the HDI-4500's is at 90 dB. This 2 dB difference makes the Emotiva Airmotiv C2+ a more sensitive speaker compared to JBL HDI-4500, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.

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 C2+ and the Airmotiv C2+ can provide this impedance level.

Sensitivity

Center Channel Speakers

Airmotiv C2+
HDI-4500
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 C2+ can handle a max power of 250 watts RMS from the amp the whereas Airmotiv C2+ has a max power handling value of 150 watts RMS , 100 watts less than the HDI-4500.

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 C2+ features Binding post posts which make bi-amping or bi-wiring possible. HDI-4500 has a 5-Way post which doesn't feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.

Emotiva Airmotiv C2+ Terminals
Emotiva Airmotiv C2+'s Binding post terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring

JBL HDI-45005-Way post Terminals
JBL HDI-4500's 5-Way post terminals

Cabinet Type and Port Position

Both Airmotiv C2+ and HDI-4500 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 C2+  Port
Emotiva Airmotiv C2+ Port

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 C2+'s and JBL HDI-4500's external dimensions. Emotiva Airmotiv C2+ has external dimensions of 220.0 x 812.0 x 267.0mm ( 8-5/8 x 31-15/16 x 10-1/2inch) whereas JBL HDI-4500 has external dimensions of 197.0 x 842.0 x 310.0mm ( 7-3/4 x 33-1/8 x 12-3/16inch) .

Emotiva Airmotiv C2+ is 30mm narrower and 43mm less deeper than JBL HDI-4500 but it is also 23mm taller.

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 C2+ is approximately 2168.0cm2 / 336.0inch2 and base area of the JBL HDI-4500 is approximately 2610.2cm2 / 404.6inch2. The Airmotiv C2+ requires 17% less surface area than the HDI-4500 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 C2+ weighs 16.40kg / 36.1lbs and the JBL HDI-4500 weighs 20.15kg / 44.3lbs. This makes the HDI-4500 23% heavier than the Airmotiv C2+.

Here is a comparison of how Airmotiv C2+ and HDI-4500's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Center Channel class.

Weight
All Center Channel Speakers
Emotiva Airmotiv C2+
JBL HDI-4500
Min
Average
Max

What's in the Box of JBL HDI-4500?

Here are the items that come with the HDI-4500:
  • Center-channel loudspeaker
  • Grille
  • 2 Jumper-straps (pre-installed)
  • Owners Manual

  • Reasons to choose Emotiva Airmotiv C2+ over JBL HDI-4500
    Driver Setup 3-way vs 2-way Have a dedicated mid-range driver
    Sensitivity 92 dB vs 90 dB Play louder with same amount of amplification power
    Woofer Size 6.5 inches vs 5.25 inches Larger woofer
    Low Frequency Response 45 Hz vs 50 Hz Generates deeper bass
    Bi-Amping and Bi-Wiring Yes vs No Allows bi-amping and bi-wiring connections
    Base Surface Area 2168cm2 vs 2610cm2 Takes less floor space
    Price per pair* 499USD vs 1925USD costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time)

    Reasons to choose JBL HDI-4500 over Emotiva Airmotiv C2+

    Max Input Power 250 watts vs 150 watts Handle more power from your amplifier
    Number of Woofers 4 vs 2 More woofers
    High Frequency Response 30k Hz vs 28k Hz Generates higher frequency
    Height 197mm vs 220mm Easier to fit in smaller spaces
    Emotiva Airmotiv C2+ vs JBL HDI-4500 Specs Table
    Detailed comparison of specifications
    General Emotiva Airmotiv C2+ JBL HDI-4500
    Brand Emotiva JBL
    Speaker Type Center channel speaker Center channel speaker
    Power Range Up to 150 watts 20-250 watts
    Sensitivity 92 dB 90 dB
    Impedance 4 ohms 4 ohms
    Frequency Response 45 Hz – 28 kHz 50-30k Hz
    Drivers
    Woofer Quantity 2 4
    Woofer Size 6.5" 5.25"
    Woofer Composition woven fiber cone Advanced Aluminum Matrix cone
    Tweeter Size 25×32 mm" 1"
    Tweeter Type folded ribbon horn-loaded high-frequency compression
    Aimable Tweeter No No
    Midrange Driver 3" N/A"
    Crossover Frequency 350 Hz and 3200Hz n/a
    Firing Direction rear rear
    Physical Specs
    Height 220.0mm (8.7") 197.0mm (7.8")
    Width 812.0mm (32") 842.0mm (33.1")
    Depth 267.0mm (10.5") 310.0mm (12.2")
    Weight 16.40kg (36.1lbs) 20.15kg (44.3lbs)
    Enclosure Bass reflex Bass Reflex
    Finish HDF n/a
    Available Colors Black Walnut
    Grille Yes Yes
    Moisture Resistancy No No
    Connections
    Biamp Inputs Yes No
    Other
    Parts Warranty 5 Years 5 Years
    Labor Warranty 5 Years 5 Years

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