In this review, we will be comparing Airmotiv XB2 and Prime Bookshelf, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from Emotiva and SVS.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Emotiva Airmotiv XB2 and SVS Prime Bookshelf first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Emotiva Airmotiv XB2 | SVS Prime Bookshelf |
|---|
| Brand | Emotiva
United States · founded 2003 | SVS
United States · founded 1998 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 25×32 mm" folded ribbon | 1" Hard-Dome |
|---|
| Woofer | 6" woven fiber cone | 6.5" |
|---|
| Frequency response | 55 Hz – 27 kHz | 48-25k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 86 dB | 87 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 4 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | Up to 125 watts | 25-150 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 8.16kg / 18lbs | 7.03kg / 15.5lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 12.8" x 8.5" x 11.5"
325 x 216 x 292 mm | 13.2" x 8.0" x 10.2"
337.8 x 203.2 x 261.6mm |
|---|
What size room are the Emotiva Airmotiv XB2 and SVS Prime Bookshelf 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 XB2 |
SVS Prime Bookshelf |
| 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.)
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
Drivers
Both Airmotiv XB2 and Prime Bookshelf are 2-way speakers.
Emotiva Airmotiv XB2SVS Prime Bookshelf
TweeterWoofer
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 XB2 |
SVS Prime Bookshelf |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
25×32 mm-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 6-inch
|
1 x 6.5-inch
|
Airmotiv XB2 features a 25×32 mm" folded ribbon Tweeter and 1 x 6" woven fiber cone Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2600Hz. On the other hand, the Prime Bookshelf features a 1" aluminum Hard-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 6.5" Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2300Hz.
Frequency Response
Airmotiv XB2 has a frequency range of 55 Hz – 27 kHz whereas Prime Bookshelf has a frequency range of 48-25k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 48Hz, the Prime Bookshelf can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Airmotiv XB2's min frequency of 55Hz.
The graph below depicts how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average Low Frequency values of other speakers in the Bookshelf class in our database.
Low Frequency
Bookshelf 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 XB2 is a 4 ohms speaker compared to the Prime Bookshelf 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 XB2 can provide this impedance level.
These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. Airmotiv XB2 sensitivity is rated at 86 dB and the Prime Bookshelf's is rated at 87 dB. This 1 dB difference makes the SVS Prime Bookshelf a more sensitive speaker compared to Emotiva Airmotiv XB2, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
Sensitivity
Bookshelf 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.
Prime Bookshelf can handle a max power of 150 watts RMS, whereas Airmotiv XB2 has a max power handling value of 125 watts RMS, 25 watts less than the Prime Bookshelf.
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
Airmotiv XB2 features Binding post posts which make bi-amping or bi-wiring possible. Prime Bookshelf has a 5-way post which doesn't feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Emotiva Airmotiv XB2's Binding post terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring
SVS Prime Bookshelf's 5-way post terminals
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Both Airmotiv XB2 and Prime Bookshelf 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
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 XB2's and SVS Prime Bookshelf's external dimensions. Emotiva Airmotiv XB2 has external dimensions of 325 x 216 x 292 mm (12.8” x 8.5” x 11.5”) whereas SVS Prime Bookshelf has external dimensions of 337.8 x 203.2 x 261.6mm (13.2 x 8.0 x 10.2inch).
SVS Prime Bookshelf is 12.8mm narrower and 30.4mm less deeper than Emotiva Airmotiv XB2 but it is also 12.8mm taller.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Emotiva Airmotiv XB2 and SVS Prime Bookshelf in scale.
Comparison image of Emotiva Airmotiv XB2 and SVS Prime Bookshelf 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 XB2 is approximately 630.7cm2 / 97.8inch2 and base area of the SVS Prime Bookshelf is approximately 531.6cm2 / 82.4inch2. The Airmotiv XB2 requires 19% more surface area than the Prime Bookshelf which gives it a small disadvantage on placement in tight spaces.
Here is another comparison that shows both speakers on a BDI Octave Media Cabinet, next to a standard size amplifier and turntable in scale:
Size Comparison image of Emotiva Airmotiv XB2 and SVS Prime Bookshelf on a Media Console
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 XB2 weighs 8.16kg / 18lbs and the SVS Prime Bookshelf weighs 7.03kg / 15.5lbs. This makes the Airmotiv XB2 16% heavier than the Prime Bookshelf.
Here is a comparison of how Airmotiv XB2 and Prime Bookshelf's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Bookshelf class.
Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
What's in the Box of SVS Prime Bookshelf?
Here are the items that come with the Prime Bookshelf:
- 2 Bookshelf loudspeakers
- 2 Grilles (pre-installed)
- 8 Self-adhesive rubber bumpers
- Owners Manual SVS brochure
- Online Product Registration Card
 High Frequency Response |
27k Hz
vs
25k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Bi-Amping and Bi-Wiring |
Yes
vs
No
|
Allows bi-amping and bi-wiring connections |
 Height |
325mm
vs
337mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Price per pair* |
549USD
vs
600USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Max Input Power |
150 watts
vs
125 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Sensitivity |
87 dB
vs
86 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Nominal Impedance |
8 ohms
vs
4 ohms
|
Less selective with amplifiers |
 Woofer Size |
6.5 inches
vs
6 inches
|
Larger woofer |
|
Low Frequency Response |
48 Hz
vs
55 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Base Surface Area |
531cm2
vs
630cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
| General |
Emotiva Airmotiv XB2 |
SVS Prime Bookshelf |
| Brand |
Emotiva |
SVS |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
| Power Range |
Up to 125 watts |
25-150 watts |
| Sensitivity |
86 dB |
87 dB |
| Impedance |
4 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
55 Hz – 27 kHz |
48-25k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
6" |
6.5" |
| Woofer Composition |
woven fiber cone |
|
| Woofer Surround Material |
SBR |
Polypropylene |
| Tweeter Size |
25×32 mm" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
folded ribbon |
Hard-Dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
2600Hz |
2300Hz |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
325.0mm (12.8") |
337.8mm (13.3") |
| Width |
216.0mm (8.5") |
203.2mm (8") |
| Depth |
292.0mm (11.5") |
261.6mm (10.3") |
| Weight |
8.16kg (18lbs) |
7.03kg (15.5lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
n/a |
MDF/Wood-grain vinyl |
| Available Colors |
Black |
Black Ash,Piano Gloss Black |
| Mounting Bracket |
|
No |
| Recommended Stand Height |
n/a |
24-28" |
| 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 |
A generation apart: Emotiva Airmotiv XB2 is the newer design, against a 2015 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 | SVS Prime Bookshelf digs deeper - 48Hz against 55Hz. A subwoofer would even that out. |
| Amplifier needs | evenly matched | Similar sensitivity (86dB vs 87dB) - both want much the same power. |
| Amplifier match | B | SVS Prime Bookshelf 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 (125W vs 150W). |
| Size | depends | Similar cabinet size - neither is easier to fit. |
| Expandability | A | Emotiva Airmotiv XB2: bi-amping. |
| Price | evenly matched | Much the same money ($549 vs $600 a pair). |
A Emotiva Airmotiv XB2 B SVS Prime Bookshelf
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?
SVS Prime Bookshelf has the edge on paper, though the margin is not large. The rows marked "depends" may matter more to you than the score does. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 55Hz anyway, so judge these on the other rows instead. If your amplifier is modest, vintage or valve-based, SVS Prime Bookshelf is the safer partner - the other will want more current or more watts to sound its best.
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.