In this review, we will be comparing Airmotiv C3+ and Silver C250 7G, two Passive Center Channel speakers from Emotiva and Monitor Audio . Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Emotiva Airmotiv C3+ and Monitor Audio Silver C250 7G first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
What size room are the Emotiva Airmotiv C3+ and Monitor Audio Silver C250 7G 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 C3+ and Monitor Audio Silver C250 7G 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 C3+ and Silver C250 7G are 3-way speakers. Airmotiv C3+ features a 25×32 mm" folded ribbon Tweeter , a 5.25" Midrange and 4 x 6.5" woven fiber cone Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 350 Hz and 2800Hz. On the other hand, the Silver C250 7G features a 1" gold dome C-CAM Tweeter , a 3" Midrange and 2 x 5.25" C-CAM with Rigid Surface Technology (RST) Woofer .
Frequency Response
Airmotiv C3+ has a frequency range of 40 Hz – 28 kHz whereas Silver C250 7G has a frequency range of 65-35k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 40Hz, the Airmotiv C3+ can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Silver C250 7G's min frequency of 65Hz.
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
Monitor Audio Silver C250 7G
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 C3+ is a 4 ohms speaker compared to the Silver C250 7G 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 C3+ can provide this impedance level.
These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. Airmotiv C3+ sensitivity is rated at 92 dB and the Silver C250 7G's is rated at 88.5 dB. This 3 dB difference makes the Emotiva Airmotiv C3+ a more sensitive speaker compared to Monitor Audio Silver C250 7G, 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.
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 C3+ features Binding post posts which make bi-amping or bi-wiring possible. Silver C250 7G has a Binding post which doesn't feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Emotiva Airmotiv C3+'s Binding post terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring
Monitor Audio Silver C250 7G's Binding post terminals
Emotiva Airmotiv C3+ double 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 C3+'s and Monitor Audio Silver C250 7G's external dimensions. Emotiva Airmotiv C3+ has external dimensions of 220.0 x 1391.0 x 312.0mm ( 8-5/8-inch x 54-3/4-inch x 12-1/4-inch) whereas Monitor Audio Silver C250 7G has external dimensions of 205.0 x 482.0 x 274.0mm ( 8-1/16 x 18-15/16 x 10-3/4inch) .
Emotiva Airmotiv C3+ is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 909mm wider, 15mm taller and 38mm deeper than Monitor Audio Silver C250 7G.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Emotiva Airmotiv C3+ and Monitor Audio Silver C250 7G in scale.
Comparison image of Emotiva Airmotiv C3+ and Monitor Audio Silver C250 7G 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 C3+ is approximately 4339.9cm2 / 672.7inch2 and base area of the Monitor Audio Silver C250 7G is approximately 1320.7cm2 / 204.7inch2. The Airmotiv C3+ requires 229% more surface area than the Silver C250 7G which gives it a small disadvantage 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 C3+ weighs 26.80kg / 59lbs and the Monitor Audio Silver C250 7G weighs 10.63kg / 23.4lbs. This makes the Airmotiv C3+ 152% heavier than the Silver C250 7G.
Here is a comparison of how Airmotiv C3+ and Silver C250 7G's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Center Channel class.
Weight
All Center Channel Speakers
Monitor Audio Silver C250 7G
What's in the Box of Monitor Audio Silver C250 7G?
Here are the items that come with the Silver C250 7G:
Center-channel loudspeakersGrille2 Jumpers (pre-installed)4 Rubber feetHex-keyOwners ManualImportant Safety Instructions
 Sensitivity |
92 dB
vs
89 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Woofer Size |
6.5 inches
vs
5.25 inches
|
Larger woofer |
| Number of Woofers |
4
vs
2
|
More woofers |
| Low Frequency Response |
40 Hz
vs
65 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Price per pair* |
899USD
vs
1100USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Nominal Impedance |
8 ohms
vs
4 ohms
|
Less selective with amplifiers |
 High Frequency Response |
35k Hz
vs
28k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
205mm
vs
220mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1320cm2 (482x274mm)
vs
4339cm2 (1391x312mm)
|
Takes less floor space |
| General |
Emotiva Airmotiv C3+ |
Monitor Audio Silver C250 7G |
| Brand |
Emotiva |
Monitor Audio |
| Speaker Type |
Center channel speaker |
Center channel speaker |
| Power Range |
Up to 200 watts |
80-200 watts |
| Sensitivity |
92 dB |
88.5 dB |
| Impedance |
4 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
40 Hz – 28 kHz |
65-35k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
4 |
2 |
| Woofer Size |
6.5" |
5.25" |
| Woofer Composition |
woven fiber cone |
C-CAM with Rigid Surface Technology (RST) |
| Tweeter Size |
25×32 mm" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
folded ribbon |
gold dome C-CAM |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
5.25" |
3" |
| Crossover Frequency |
350 Hz and 2800Hz |
n/a |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
n/a |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
220.0mm (8.7") |
205.0mm (8.1") |
| Width |
1391.0mm (54.8") |
482.0mm (19") |
| Depth |
312.0mm (12.3") |
274.0mm (10.8") |
| Weight |
26.80kg (59lbs) |
10.63kg (23.4lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass reflex |
Acoustic Suspension |
| Finish |
HDF |
n/a |
| Available Colors |
Black |
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 |