In this review, we will be comparing two different type of speakers . Emotiva Airmotiv XC3 is a Center Channel speaker whereas the Alpha T20 is a Floor-standing speaker.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Emotiva Airmotiv XC3 and PSB Alpha T20 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
What size room are the Emotiva Airmotiv XC3 and PSB Alpha T20 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 XC3 and PSB Alpha T20 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
One of the fundamental differences between these two speakers is that Airmotiv XC3 is a 3-way design whereas the Alpha T20 is a 2-way speaker. 3-way designs utilize a midrange driver in addition to the tweeter and woofer on 2-way designs. Designing a crossover for a 3-way speaker is a complicated process and generally increases the overall cost of the speaker.
| Driver |
Emotiva Airmotiv XC3 |
PSB Alpha T20 |
|
Driver Setup
|
3-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
25×32 mm-inch
|
0.75-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
2 x 5.25-inch |
- |
|
Woofer
|
4 x 6-inch
|
2 x 5.25-inch
|
Airmotiv XC3 features a 25×32 mm" folded ribbon Tweeter , a 5.25" Midrange and 4 x 6" woven fiber cone Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 370 Hz, 2.8 kHz. On the other hand, the Alpha T20 features a 0.75" anodized aluminum with front waveguide Dome Tweeter and 2 x 5.25" Polypropylene Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2500Hz.
Frequency Response
Airmotiv XC3 has a frequency range of 45 Hz – 27 kHz whereas Alpha T20 has a frequency range of 36-21k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 36Hz, the Alpha T20 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Airmotiv XC3's min frequency of 45Hz.
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 XC3 is a 4 ohms speaker compared to the Alpha T20 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 XC3 can provide this impedance level.
On the other hand, they have the same sensitivity of 90 dBdB.
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 XC3 can handle a max power of 250 watts RMS from the amp the whereas Alpha T20 has a max power handling value of 120 watts RMS, 130 watts less than the Airmotiv XC3.
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 XC3 and Alpha T20 features dual binding post speaker terminals for bi-amping or bi-wiring.
Emotiva Airmotiv XC3's Binding post terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring
PSB Alpha T20's 5-Way post terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Both Airmotiv XC3 and Alpha T20 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 XC3's and PSB Alpha T20's external dimensions. Emotiva Airmotiv XC3 has external dimensions of 235 x 1302 x 305 mm ( 9.25″ x 51.25″ x 12″) whereas PSB Alpha T20 has external dimensions of 869.0 x 212.0 x 250.0mm ( 34-3/16 x 8-5/16 x 9-13/16inch) .
PSB Alpha T20 is 1090mm narrower and 55mm less deeper than Emotiva Airmotiv XC3 but it is also 634mm taller.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Emotiva Airmotiv XC3 and PSB Alpha T20 in scale.
Comparison image of Emotiva Airmotiv XC3 and PSB Alpha T20 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 XC3 is approximately 3971.1cm2 / 615.5inch2 and base area of the PSB Alpha T20 is approximately 530.0cm2 / 82.2inch2. The Airmotiv XC3 requires 649% more surface area than the Alpha T20 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 XC3 weighs 29.00kg / 63.8lbs and the PSB Alpha T20 weighs 11.89kg / 26.2lbs. This makes the Airmotiv XC3 144% heavier than the Alpha T20.
Here is a comparison of how Airmotiv XC3 and Alpha T20's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Floor-standing class.
Weight
All Center Channel Speakers
What's in the Box of PSB Alpha T20?
Here are the items that come with the Alpha T20:
2 Floorstanding loudspeakers2 Grilles8 Rubber feet8 Spike feet8 Hex-nutsQuick Start GuideWarranty Card
 Max Input Power |
250 watts
vs
120 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Driver Setup |
3-way
vs
2-way
|
Have a dedicated mid-range driver |
 Woofer Size |
6 inches
vs
5.25 inches
|
Larger woofer |
| Number of Woofers |
4
vs
2
|
More woofers |
 High Frequency Response |
27k Hz
vs
21k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
235mm
vs
869mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Nominal Impedance |
8 ohms
vs
4 ohms
|
Less selective with amplifiers |
| Low Frequency Response |
36 Hz
vs
45 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Base Surface Area |
530cm2 (212x250mm)
vs
3971cm2 (1302x305mm)
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
799USD
vs
899USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
Emotiva Airmotiv XC3 |
PSB Alpha T20 |
| Brand |
Emotiva |
PSB |
| Speaker Type |
Center channel speaker |
Floor-standing speaker |
| Power Range |
Up to 250 watts |
15-120 watts |
| Sensitivity |
90 dB |
90 dB |
| Impedance |
4 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
45 Hz – 27 kHz |
36-21k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
4 |
2 |
| Woofer Size |
6" |
5.25" |
| Woofer Composition |
woven fiber cone |
Polypropylene |
| Woofer Surround Material |
SBR |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
25×32 mm" |
0.75" |
| Tweeter Type |
folded ribbon |
Dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
5.25" |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
370 Hz, 2.8 kHz |
2500Hz |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
235.0mm (9.3") |
869.0mm (34.2") |
| Width |
1302.0mm (51.3") |
212.0mm (8.3") |
| Depth |
305.0mm (12") |
250.0mm (9.8") |
| Weight |
29.00kg (63.8lbs) |
11.89kg (26.2lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
n/a |
MDF, Wood-grain vinyl |
| 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 |