In this review, we will be comparing Airmotiv C2+ and Premier 600C, two Passive Center Channel speakers from Emotiva and Paradigm. Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Emotiva Airmotiv C2+ and Paradigm 600C first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
What size room are the Emotiva Airmotiv C2+ and Paradigm 600C 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:
In the following sections, we will get into more detail in order to better understand how the Emotiva Airmotiv C2+ and Paradigm 600C compare and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one of these loudspeakers is the better choice for you.
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Drivers
Both Airmotiv C2+ and Premier 600C are 3-way speakers.
| Driver |
Emotiva Airmotiv C2+ |
Paradigm 600C |
|
Driver Setup
|
3-way
|
3-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
25×32 mm-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
2 x 3-inch |
1 x 4-inch |
|
Woofer
|
2 x 6.5-inch
|
4 x 6.5-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 Premier 600C features a 1" aluminum X-PAL dome with PPA (Perforated Phase-Aligning) lens Tweeter , a 4" Midrange and 4 x 6.5" carbon-infused polypropylene Woofer .
Frequency Response
Airmotiv C2+ has a frequency range of 45 Hz – 28 kHz whereas Premier 600C has a frequency range of 60-25k 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 Premier 600C's min frequency of 60Hz.
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
High Frequency
Center Channel Speakers
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+ is a 4 ohms speaker compared to the Premier 600C 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 C2+ can provide this impedance level.
These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. Airmotiv C2+ sensitivity is rated at 92 dB and the Premier 600C's is rated at 94 dB. This 2 dB difference makes the Paradigm 600C a more sensitive speaker compared to Emotiva Airmotiv C2+, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
Sensitivity
Center Channel Speakers
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 180 watts RMS from the amp the whereas Airmotiv C2+ has a max power handling value of 150 watts RMS , 30 watts less than the Premier 600C.
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. Premier 600C has a Binding post which doesn't feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Emotiva Airmotiv C2+'s Binding post terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring
Paradigm 600C's Binding post terminals
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 Paradigm 600C'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 Paradigm 600C has external dimensions of 208.0 x 907.0 x 348.0mm ( 8-3/16 x 35-11/16 x 13-11/16inch) .
Emotiva Airmotiv C2+ is 95mm narrower and 81mm less deeper than Paradigm 600C but it is also 12mm 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 Paradigm 600C is approximately 3156.4cm2 / 489.2inch2. The Airmotiv C2+ requires 31% less surface area than the Premier 600C 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 Paradigm 600C weighs 19.55kg / 43lbs. This makes the Premier 600C 19% heavier than the Airmotiv C2+.
Here is a comparison of how Airmotiv C2+ and Premier 600C's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Center Channel class.
Weight
All Center Channel Speakers
What's in the Box of Paradigm 600C?
Here are the items that come with the Premier 600C:
Center-channel loudspeakerGrille2 Binding-post jumpers (pre-installed)4 Rubber feetOwners ManualOnline Registration CardCenter Channel Elevation Gauge
 Low Frequency Response |
45 Hz
vs
60 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
28k Hz
vs
25k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Base Surface Area |
2168cm2 (812x267mm)
vs
3156cm2 (907x348mm)
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
499USD
vs
1099USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Max Input Power |
180 watts
vs
150 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Sensitivity |
94 dB
vs
92 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Nominal Impedance |
8 ohms
vs
4 ohms
|
Less selective with amplifiers |
| Number of Woofers |
4
vs
2
|
More woofers |
 Height |
208mm
vs
220mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
| General |
Emotiva Airmotiv C2+ |
Paradigm Premier 600C |
| Brand |
Emotiva |
Paradigm |
| Speaker Type |
Center channel speaker |
Center channel speaker |
| Power Range |
Up to 150 watts |
15-180 watts |
| Sensitivity |
92 dB |
94 dB |
| Impedance |
4 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
45 Hz – 28 kHz |
60-25k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
4 |
| Woofer Size |
6.5" |
6.5" |
| Woofer Composition |
woven fiber cone |
carbon-infused polypropylene |
| Tweeter Size |
25×32 mm" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
folded ribbon |
X-PAL dome with PPA (Perforated Phase-Aligning) lens |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
3" |
4" |
| Crossover Frequency |
350 Hz and 3200Hz |
n/a |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
n/a |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
220.0mm (8.7") |
208.0mm (8.2") |
| Width |
812.0mm (32") |
907.0mm (35.7") |
| Depth |
267.0mm (10.5") |
348.0mm (13.7") |
| Weight |
16.40kg (36.1lbs) |
19.55kg (43lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass reflex |
Passive Radiator |
| Finish |
HDF |
n/a |
| Available Colors |
Black |
Gloss White |
| 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 |