In this review, we will be comparing Theva Center and Airmotiv C1+, two Passive Center Channel speakers from Focal and Emotiva.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Focal Theva Center and Emotiva Airmotiv C1+ first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Focal Theva Center | Emotiva Airmotiv C1+ |
|---|
| Brand | Focal
France · founded 1979 | Emotiva
United States · founded 2003 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 3-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" inverted dome | 25×32 mm" folded ribbon |
|---|
| Midrange | — | 3" |
|---|
| Woofer | 2 x 6.5" Slatefiber | 2 x 5.25" woven fiber cone |
|---|
| Frequency response | 59-28kHz | 50 Hz – 28 kHz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 91 dB | 89 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 4 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 40-200 watts | Up to 120 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 10.00kg / 22lbs | 8.45kg / 18.6lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 8-1/4" x 20-7/8" x 10"
210.0 x 531.0 x 254.0mm | 7-3/4" x 20-1/2" x 8-1/4"
197.0 x 521.0 x 210.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the Focal Theva Center 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* |
Focal Theva Center |
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.)
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
Drivers
One of the fundamental differences between these two speakers is that Theva Center is a 2-way design whereas the Airmotiv C1+ is a 3-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.
Focal Theva CenterEmotiva Airmotiv C1+
TweeterMidrangeWoofer
Front view, drawn to scale - cabinets and drivers share one scale, so sizes are directly comparable. Hover a driver for its size.
| Driver |
Focal Theva Center |
Emotiva Airmotiv C1+ |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
3-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
25×32 mm-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
1 x 3-inch |
|
Woofer
|
2 x 6.5-inch
|
2 x 5.25-inch
|
Theva Center features a 1" TNF Al/Mg inverted dome Tweeter and 2 x 6.5" Slatefiber Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2100 Hz. 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
Theva Center has a frequency range of 59-28kHz whereas Airmotiv C1+ has a frequency range of 50 Hz – 28 kHz. With a minimum frequency of 50Hz, the Airmotiv C1+ can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Theva Center's min frequency of 59Hz.
The graph below depicts how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average Low Frequency values of other speakers in the Center Channel class in our database.
Low Frequency
Center Channel 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
Theva Center is a 8 ohms speaker compared to the Airmotiv C1+ which has a nominal impedance of 4 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 C1+ can provide this impedance level.
These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. Theva Center sensitivity is rated at 91 dB and the Airmotiv C1+'s is rated at 89 dB. This 2 dB difference makes the Focal Theva Center a more sensitive speaker compared to Emotiva Airmotiv C1+, 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. Staying
within that range gives nominal performance; driving the speaker beyond its maximum wattage can damage it.
Theva Center can handle a max power of 200 watts RMS, whereas Airmotiv C1+ has a max power handling value of 120 watts RMS, 80 watts less than the Theva Center.
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 Theva Center and Airmotiv C1+ features dual binding post speaker terminals for bi-amping or bi-wiring.
Emotiva Airmotiv C1+'s Binding post terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring
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 Focal Theva Center's and Emotiva Airmotiv C1+'s external dimensions. Focal Theva Center has external dimensions of 210.0 x 531.0 x 254.0mm (81/4 x 207/8 x 10) 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).
Focal Theva Center is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 10mm wider, 13mm taller and 44mm deeper than Emotiva Airmotiv C1+.
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.
Focal Theva Center needs about 23% more floor or shelf area. Focal Theva Center is 44mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. Focal Theva Center is 13mm 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 Focal Theva Center is approximately 1348.7cm2 / 209.0inch2 and base area of the Emotiva Airmotiv C1+ is approximately 1094.1cm2 / 169.6inch2. The Theva Center requires 23% more surface area than the Airmotiv C1+ 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 Focal Theva Center weighs 10.00kg / 22lbs and the Emotiva Airmotiv C1+ weighs 8.45kg / 18.6lbs. This makes the Theva Center 18% heavier than the Airmotiv C1+.
Here is a comparison of how Theva Center and Airmotiv C1+'s weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Center Channel class.
Weight
All Center Channel Speakers
 Max Input Power |
200 watts
vs
120 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Sensitivity |
91 dB
vs
89 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
5.25 inches
|
Larger woofer |
 Driver Setup |
3-way
vs
2-way
|
Have a dedicated mid-range driver |
|
Low Frequency Response |
50 Hz
vs
59 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Height |
197mm
vs
210mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1094cm2
vs
1348cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
299USD
vs
649USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
Focal Theva Center |
Emotiva Airmotiv C1+ |
| Brand |
Focal |
Emotiva |
| Speaker Type |
Center channel speaker |
Center channel speaker |
| Power Range |
40-200 watts |
Up to 120 watts |
| Sensitivity |
91 dB |
89 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
4 ohms |
| Impedance |
3.8 ohms |
n/a |
| Frequency Response |
59-28kHz |
50 Hz – 28 kHz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
2 |
| Woofer Size |
6.5" |
5.25" |
| Woofer Composition |
Slatefiber |
woven fiber cone |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
n/a |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
25×32 mm" |
| Tweeter Type |
inverted dome |
folded ribbon |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
3" |
| Crossover Frequency |
2100 Hz |
550 Hz and 2600Hz |
| Firing Direction |
n/a |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
210.0mm (8.3") |
197.0mm (7.8") |
| Width |
531.0mm (20.9") |
521.0mm (20.5") |
| Depth |
254.0mm (10") |
210.0mm (8.3") |
| Weight |
10.00kg (22lbs) |
8.45kg (18.6lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Acoustic Suspension |
Bass reflex |
| Finish |
n/a |
HDF |
| Available Colors |
Black High Gloss,Dark Wood,Light Wood |
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 |
These sit in different price classes - Focal Theva Center costs roughly 2.2x what Emotiva Airmotiv C1+ does. Expect it to lead on paper; the question is whether the gap is audible enough in your room to be worth it.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | B | Emotiva Airmotiv C1+ digs deeper - 50Hz against 59Hz. A subwoofer would even that out. |
| Amplifier needs | A | Focal Theva Center is more sensitive (91dB vs 89dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier. |
| Amplifier match | A | Focal Theva Center is the easier load at 8 ohms; the other is 4 ohms and wants an amplifier rated for it. |
| Headroom | A | Focal Theva Center takes more power (200W vs 120W) - more in hand in a big room. |
| Size | depends | Emotiva Airmotiv C1+ is easier to place; Focal Theva Center is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Cabinet | depends | Sealed vs Ported. Sealed is tighter and happier near a wall; ported digs lower but wants space behind it. |
| Expandability | depends | Focal Theva Center: bi-amping; Emotiva Airmotiv C1+: bi-amping. Emotiva Airmotiv C1+ sits in a wider range (9 models), so a matched surround system is easier later. |
| Price | B | Emotiva Airmotiv C1+ is cheaper - $299 against $649, about 54% less; arguably a different class. |
A Focal Theva Center B Emotiva Airmotiv C1+
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: Focal Theva Center measures better, Emotiva Airmotiv C1+ costs about about 117% 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 59Hz anyway, so judge these on the other rows instead. If your amplifier is modest, vintage or valve-based, Focal Theva Center 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.