In this review, we will be comparing Airmotiv T2+ and Imagine X2T, two Passive Floor-standing speakers from Emotiva and PSB.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Emotiva Airmotiv T2+ and PSB Imagine X2T first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Emotiva Airmotiv T2+ | PSB Imagine X2T |
|---|
| Brand | Emotiva
United States · founded 2003 | PSB
Canada · founded 1972 |
|---|
| Design | 3-way | 3-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 25×32 mm" folded ribbon | 1" Dome |
|---|
| Midrange | 5.25" | 5.25" |
|---|
| Woofer | 2 x 8" woven fiber cone | 2 x 6.2" Clay/Ceramic/Poly |
|---|
| Frequency response | 35 Hz – 28 kHz | 30-23k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 91 dB | 90 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 4 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | Up to 200 watts | 20-200 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 25.90kg / 57lbs | 23.60kg / 51.9lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 42-11/16" x 12-3/16" x 17-1/4"
1085.0 x 310.0 x 439.0mm | 40-1/8" x 9" x 16-3/4"
1020.0 x 229.0 x 426.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the Emotiva Airmotiv T2+ and PSB Imagine X2T 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 T2+ |
PSB Imagine X2T |
| Near-field |
Bad |
Bad |
| Small Room |
Poor |
Poor |
| Mid-size Room |
Good |
Good |
| Large Room |
Good |
Good |
| 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.)
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
Drivers
Both Airmotiv T2+ and Imagine X2T are 3-way speakers.
Emotiva Airmotiv T2+PSB Imagine X2T
TweeterMidrangeWoofer
Front view, drawn to scale - cabinets and drivers share one scale, so sizes are directly comparable. Hover a driver for its size.
| Driver |
Emotiva Airmotiv T2+ |
PSB Imagine X2T |
|
Driver Setup
|
3-way
|
3-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
25×32 mm-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
1 x 5.25-inch |
1 x 5.25-inch |
|
Woofer
|
2 x 8-inch
|
2 x 6.2-inch
|
Airmotiv T2+ features a 25×32 mm" folded ribbon Tweeter, a 5.25" Midrange and 2 x 8" woven fiber cone Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 350 Hz and 3200Hz. On the other hand, the Imagine X2T features a 1" titanium with neodymium magnets Dome Tweeter, a 5.25" Midrange and 2 x 6.2" Clay/Ceramic/Poly Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 500Hz and 2200Hz.
Frequency Response
Airmotiv T2+ has a frequency range of 35 Hz – 28 kHz whereas Imagine X2T has a frequency range of 30-23k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 30Hz, the Imagine X2T can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Airmotiv T2+'s min frequency of 35Hz.
The graph below depicts how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average Low Frequency values of other speakers in the Floor-standing class in our database.
Low Frequency
Floor-standing Speakers
Neither pair reaches down to 20Hz, the usual definition of full-range, which is normal for speakers of this size. If you want the bottom octave for movies or bass-heavy music, add a subwoofer to whichever you choose. Visit our Powered Subwoofers section to find out more about the available options.
Impedance and Sensitivity
Airmotiv T2+ is a 4 ohms speaker compared to the Imagine X2T 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 T2+ can provide this impedance level.
These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. Airmotiv T2+ sensitivity is rated at 91 dB and the Imagine X2T's is rated at 90 dB. This 1 dB difference makes the Emotiva Airmotiv T2+ a more sensitive speaker compared to PSB Imagine X2T, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
Sensitivity
Floor-standing Speakers
Power Range
Power
range is the range of input power in watts RMS that a loudspeaker is designed to handle. Staying
within that range gives nominal performance; driving the speaker beyond its maximum wattage can damage it.
Both handle the same maximum of 200 watts RMS, though Airmotiv T2+ is rated Up to 200 watts and Imagine X2T 20-200 watts.
Note that higher power handling does not make a speaker louder: that depends mainly on
sensitivity and impedance. The calculator below shows how loud each of these actually plays
on a real amplifier.
Which plays louder on your amplifier?
Starting with a popular amplifier - change it to the one you own, or any you are
considering, and watch both numbers move.
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
Both Airmotiv T2+ and Imagine X2T features dual binding post speaker terminals for bi-amping or bi-wiring.
Emotiva Airmotiv T2+'s Binding post terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring
PSB Imagine X2T's 5-Way post terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Airmotiv T2+ has a rear firing port whereas Imagine X2T has a front firing ports. PSB Imagine X2T's front-firing port gives more flexibility in placement in regards to proximity to walls compared to Emotiva Airmotiv T2+ with its rear-firing port.
Physical Specs
The size of a speaker can sometimes be 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 T2+'s and PSB Imagine X2T's external dimensions. Emotiva Airmotiv T2+ has external dimensions of 1085.0 x 310.0 x 439.0mm (42-11/16 x 12-3/16 x 17-1/4inch) whereas PSB Imagine X2T has external dimensions of 1020.0 x 229.0 x 426.0mm (40-1/8 x 9 x 16-3/4inch).
Emotiva Airmotiv T2+ is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 81mm wider, 65mm taller and 13mm deeper than PSB Imagine X2T.
Size, drawn to scale
Both speakers and both views share one scale, so everything here is directly comparable. Hover a box for its dimensions.
One scale for both, standing on the same surface and pushed back to the same wall, so the deeper one visibly sticks out further.
Emotiva Airmotiv T2+ needs about 40% more floor or shelf area. Emotiva Airmotiv T2+ is 65mm 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 T2+ is approximately 1360.9cm2 / 210.9inch2 and base area of the PSB Imagine X2T is approximately 975.5cm2 / 151.2inch2. The Airmotiv T2+ requires 40% more surface area than the Imagine X2T 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 T2+ weighs 25.90kg / 57lbs and the PSB Imagine X2T weighs 23.60kg / 51.9lbs. This makes the Airmotiv T2+ 10% heavier than the Imagine X2T.
Here is a comparison of how Airmotiv T2+ and Imagine X2T's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Floor-standing class.
Weight
All Floor-standing Speakers
What's in the Box of PSB Imagine X2T?
Here are the items that come with the Imagine X2T:
- Floor-standing speaker
- Grille
- 4 Rubber feet
- 4 Spiked Feet
- Wrench
- Quick Start Guide
- Warranty Card
 Sensitivity |
91 dB
vs
90 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Woofer Size |
8 inches
vs
6.2 inches
|
Larger woofer |
 High Frequency Response |
28k Hz
vs
23k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Price per pair* |
1099USD
vs
1500USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Nominal Impedance |
8 ohms
vs
4 ohms
|
Less selective with amplifiers |
|
Low Frequency Response |
30 Hz
vs
35 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Port Position |
Front
vs
Rear
|
Gives more flexibility placing close to walls |
 Height |
1020mm
vs
1085mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
975cm2
vs
1360cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
| General |
Emotiva Airmotiv T2+ |
PSB Imagine X2T |
| Brand |
Emotiva |
PSB |
| Speaker Type |
Floor-standing speaker |
Floor-standing speaker |
| Power Range |
Up to 200 watts |
20-200 watts |
| Sensitivity |
91 dB |
90 dB |
| Impedance |
4 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
35 Hz – 28 kHz |
30-23k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
2 |
| Woofer Size |
8" |
6.2" |
| Woofer Composition |
woven fiber cone |
Clay/Ceramic/Poly |
| Woofer Surround Material |
n/a |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
25×32 mm" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
folded ribbon |
Dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
5.25" |
5.25" |
| Crossover Frequency |
350 Hz and 3200Hz |
500Hz and 2200Hz |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
1085.0mm (42.7") |
1020.0mm (40.2") |
| Width |
310.0mm (12.2") |
229.0mm (9") |
| Depth |
439.0mm (17.3") |
426.0mm (16.8") |
| Weight |
25.90kg (57lbs) |
23.60kg (51.9lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
HDF |
MDF/Wood-grain |
| Available Colors |
Black |
Black |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
Yes |
Yes |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
A generation apart: Emotiva Airmotiv T2+ is the newer design, against a 2013 model. Newer is not automatically better, but the older one is more likely to be discounted or near run-out.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | B | PSB Imagine X2T digs deeper - 30Hz against 35Hz. A subwoofer would even that out. |
| Amplifier needs | evenly matched | Similar sensitivity (91dB vs 90dB) - both want much the same power. |
| Amplifier match | B | PSB Imagine X2T is the easier load at 8 ohms; the other is 4 ohms and wants an amplifier rated for it. |
| Headroom | evenly matched | Similar power handling (200W vs 200W). |
| Size | depends | PSB Imagine X2T is easier to place; Emotiva Airmotiv T2+ is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Expandability | depends | Emotiva Airmotiv T2+: bi-amping; PSB Imagine X2T: bi-amping. Emotiva Airmotiv T2+ sits in a wider range (9 models), so a matched surround system is easier later. |
| Price | A | Emotiva Airmotiv T2+ is cheaper - $1,099 against $1,500, about 27% less. |
A Emotiva Airmotiv T2+ B PSB Imagine X2T
depends neither is better in the abstract - it turns on your room, your system or how you will use them. Only specs published for both speakers are judged; anything missing on either side is left out rather than guessed.
Which should you choose?
The usual trade-off: PSB Imagine X2T measures better, Emotiva Airmotiv T2+ costs about about 36% more% less. Whether that gap is worth the money is the call only you can make - and in a normal room it is often smaller than the numbers suggest. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 35Hz anyway, which makes the cheaper Emotiva Airmotiv T2+ much easier to justify. In a large or open-plan room, Emotiva Airmotiv T2+ has the cabinet volume to fill it more easily; in a small room, near a wall or at desk distance, PSB Imagine X2T is the easier speaker to get right.
And remember what a spec sheet cannot show: how each looks in your room and whether the finish suits it, what dealer support and warranty are like where you live, and how they actually sound to you. If you can hear them first - ideally with your own music - that will tell you more than any number above.