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Emotiva Airmotiv XC1 vs Emotiva Airmotiv C1+ Comparison

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Emotiva Airmotiv XC1

Passive Floor-standing | 50 Hz – 27 kHz

Emotiva Airmotiv XC1
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Emotiva Airmotiv C1+

Passive Center Channel | 50 Hz – 28 kHz

Emotiva Airmotiv C1+
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Emotiva Airmotiv XC1 Emotiva Airmotiv XC1
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Emotiva Airmotiv C1+ Emotiva Airmotiv C1+
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Emotiva Airmotiv XC1
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Emotiva Airmotiv C1+
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Emotiva Airmotiv XC1 vs Emotiva Airmotiv C1+ Speaker Comparison

In this review, we will be comparing Airmotiv XC1 and Airmotiv C1+, two Passive Center Channel speakers by Emotiva

Let's have a brief look at the main features of Emotiva Airmotiv XC1 and Emotiva Airmotiv C1+ first before getting into our more detailed comparison.

Emotiva Airmotiv XC1 Key Specs

  • 3-way Design
  • 25×32 mm" folded ribbon Tweeter
  • 4.5" Midrange
  • 2 x 5.25" woven fiber cone Woofer
  • 50 Hz – 27 kHz Frequency Response
  • 88 dB Sensitivity
  • Impedance: 4ohms
  • Power Range:Up to 120watts
  • Weight:11.30kg
  • Dimensions (H x W x D): 190.0" x 26" x 9.5"( 190 x 660 x 241 mm )

Emotiva Airmotiv C1+ Key Specs

  • 3-way Design
  • 25×32 mm" folded ribbon Tweeter
  • 3" Midrange
  • 2 x 5.25" woven fiber cone Woofer
  • 3" Midrange
  • 50 Hz – 28 kHz Frequency Response
  • 89 dB Sensitivity
  • Impedance: 4ohms
  • Power Range:Up to 120watts
  • Weight:8.45kg
  • Dimensions (H x W x D): 197.0" x 20-1/2" x 8-1/4"( 197.0 x 521.0 x 210.0mm )

What size room are the Emotiva Airmotiv XC1 and Emotiva Airmotiv C1+ 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 XC1 Emotiva Airmotiv C1+
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.)

In the following sections, we will get into more detail in order to better understand how the Emotiva Airmotiv XC1 and Emotiva Airmotiv C1+ 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

Both Airmotiv XC1 and Airmotiv C1+ are 3-way speakers.

Driver Emotiva Airmotiv XC1 Emotiva Airmotiv C1+
Driver Setup 3-way 3-way
Tweeter 25×32 mm-inch 25×32 mm-inch
Midrange 1 x 4.5-inch 1 x 3-inch
Woofer 2 x 5.25-inch 2 x 5.25-inch

Airmotiv XC1 features a 25×32 mm" folded ribbon Tweeter , a 4.5" Midrange and 2 x 5.25" woven fiber cone Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 620 Hz, 3.1 kHz. On the other hand, the Airmotiv C1+ features a 25×32 mm" folded ribbon Tweeter , a 3" Midrange and 2 x 5.25" woven fiber cone Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 550 Hz and 2600Hz.

Frequency Response

Airmotiv XC1 has a frequency range of 50 Hz – 27 kHz whereas Airmotiv C1+ has a frequency range of 50 Hz – 28 kHz.

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 XC1
Airmotiv C1+
Min
Average
Max
High Frequency

Center Channel Speakers

Emotiva Airmotiv XC1
Emotiva Airmotiv C1+
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 XC1 and Airmotiv C1+ have the same Impedance of 4 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. Airmotiv XC1 sensitivity is rated at 88 dB and the Airmotiv C1+'s is at 89 dB. This 1 dB difference makes the Emotiva Airmotiv C1+ a more sensitive speaker compared to Emotiva Airmotiv XC1, 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 XC1 and the Airmotiv XC1 can provide this impedance level.

Sensitivity

Center Channel Speakers

Airmotiv XC1
Airmotiv C1+
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 XC1 and Airmotiv C1+ has the same power range of Up to 120 watts.

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

Both Airmotiv XC1 and Airmotiv C1+ features dual binding post speaker terminals for bi-amping or bi-wiring.

Emotiva Airmotiv XC1 Terminals
Emotiva Airmotiv XC1's Binding post terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring

Emotiva Airmotiv C1+ Terminals
Emotiva Airmotiv C1+'s Binding post terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring

Cabinet Type and Port Position

Both Airmotiv XC1 and Airmotiv C1+ 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

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 XC1's and Emotiva Airmotiv C1+'s external dimensions. Emotiva Airmotiv XC1 has external dimensions of 190 x 660 x 241 mm ( 7.5” x 26” x 9.5”) whereas Emotiva Airmotiv C1+ has external dimensions of 197.0 x 521.0 x 210.0mm ( 7-3/4 x 20-1/2 x 8-1/4inch) .

Emotiva Airmotiv C1+ is 139mm narrower and 31mm less deeper than Emotiva Airmotiv XC1 but it is also 7mm 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 XC1 is approximately 1590.6cm2 / 246.5inch2 and base area of the Emotiva Airmotiv C1+ is approximately 1094.1cm2 / 169.6inch2. The Airmotiv XC1 requires 45% more surface area than the Airmotiv C1+ which gives it a small disadvantage on placement in tight spaces.


Reasons to choose Emotiva Airmotiv XC1 over Emotiva Airmotiv C1+
Height 190mm vs 197mm Easier to fit in smaller spaces

Reasons to choose Emotiva Airmotiv C1+ over Emotiva Airmotiv XC1

Sensitivity 89 dB vs 88 dB Play louder with same amount of amplification power
High Frequency Response 28k Hz vs 27k Hz Generates higher frequency
Base Surface Area 1094cm2 vs 1590cm2 Takes less floor space
Price per pair* 299USD vs 399USD costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time)
Emotiva Airmotiv XC1 vs Emotiva Airmotiv C1+ Specs Table
Detailed comparison of specifications
General Emotiva Airmotiv XC1 Emotiva Airmotiv C1+
Brand Emotiva Emotiva
Speaker Type Center channel speaker Center channel speaker
Power Range Up to 120 watts Up to 120 watts
Sensitivity 88 dB 89 dB
Impedance 4 ohms 4 ohms
Frequency Response 50 Hz – 27 kHz 50 Hz – 28 kHz
Drivers
Woofer Quantity 2 2
Woofer Size 5.25" 5.25"
Woofer Composition woven fiber cone woven fiber cone
Woofer Surround Material SBR n/a
Tweeter Size 25×32 mm" 25×32 mm"
Tweeter Type folded ribbon folded ribbon
Aimable Tweeter No No
Midrange Driver 4.5" 3"
Crossover Frequency 620 Hz, 3.1 kHz 550 Hz and 2600Hz
Firing Direction rear rear
Physical Specs
Height 190.0mm (7.5") 197.0mm (7.8")
Width 660.0mm (26") 521.0mm (20.5")
Depth 241.0mm (9.5") 210.0mm (8.3")
Weight 11.30kg (24.9lbs) 8.45kg (18.6lbs)
Enclosure Bass reflex Bass reflex
Finish n/a HDF
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

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