In this review, we will be comparing Reference 4 Meta and Airmotiv C1+, two Passive Center Channel speakers from KEF and Emotiva. Let's have a brief look at the main features
of KEF Reference 4 Meta and Emotiva Airmotiv C1+ first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
What size room are the KEF Reference 4 Meta 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:
In the following sections, we will get into more detail in order to better understand how the KEF Reference 4 Meta 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.
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Drivers
Both Reference 4 Meta and Airmotiv C1+ are 3-way speakers.
| Driver |
KEF Reference 4 Meta |
Emotiva Airmotiv C1+ |
|
Driver Setup
|
3-way
|
3-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
25×32 mm-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
1 x 5-inch |
1 x 3-inch |
|
Woofer
|
4 x 6.5-inch
|
2 x 5.25-inch
|
Reference 4 Meta features a 1" aluminium dome with MAT Tweeter , a 5" Midrange and 4 x 6.5" aluminium cone Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 450Hz and 2100Hz. 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
Reference 4 Meta has a frequency range of 48-35k Hz whereas Airmotiv C1+ has a frequency range of 50 Hz – 28 kHz. With a minimum frequency of 48Hz, the Reference 4 Meta can go slightly deeper then the Airmotiv C1+'s min frequency of 50Hz.
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
Reference 4 Meta and Airmotiv C1+ have the same Impedance of 4 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. Reference 4 Meta 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 KEF Reference 4 Meta, 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 Reference 4 Meta and the Reference 4 Meta can provide this impedance level.
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.
Reference 4 Meta can handle a max power of 400 watts RMS from the amp the whereas Airmotiv C1+ has a max power handling value of 120 watts RMS, 280 watts less than the Reference 4 Meta.
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 Reference 4 Meta and Airmotiv C1+ features dual binding post speaker terminals for bi-amping or bi-wiring.
KEF Reference 4 Meta's Custom 5-way bi-wire tool-less binding posts terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring
Emotiva Airmotiv C1+'s Binding post terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Both Reference 4 Meta 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 KEF Reference 4 Meta's and Emotiva Airmotiv C1+'s external dimensions. KEF Reference 4 Meta has external dimensions of 205 x 1090 x 463 mm ( 8.1 x 42.9 x 18.2 in.) 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) .
KEF Reference 4 Meta is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 569mm wider, 8mm taller and 253mm deeper than Emotiva Airmotiv C1+.
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 KEF Reference 4 Meta is approximately 5046.7cm2 / 782.2inch2 and base area of the Emotiva Airmotiv C1+ is approximately 1094.1cm2 / 169.6inch2. The Reference 4 Meta requires 361% 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 KEF Reference 4 Meta weighs 45.20kg / 99.4lbs and the Emotiva Airmotiv C1+ weighs 8.45kg / 18.6lbs. This makes the Reference 4 Meta 435% heavier than the Airmotiv C1+.
Here is a comparison of how Reference 4 Meta 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 |
400 watts
vs
120 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Woofer Size |
6.5 inches
vs
5.25 inches
|
Larger woofer |
| Number of Woofers |
4
vs
2
|
More woofers |
| Low Frequency Response |
48 Hz
vs
50 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
35k Hz
vs
28k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Sensitivity |
89 dB
vs
88 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Height |
197mm
vs
205mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1094cm2 (521x210mm)
vs
5046cm2 (1090x463mm)
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
299USD
vs
8000USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
KEF Reference 4 Meta |
Emotiva Airmotiv C1+ |
| Brand |
KEF |
Emotiva |
| Speaker Type |
Center channel speaker |
Center channel speaker |
| Power Range |
50-400 watts |
Up to 120 watts |
| Sensitivity |
88 dB |
89 dB |
| Impedance |
4 ohms |
4 ohms |
| Impedance |
3.2 ohms |
n/a |
| Frequency Response |
48-35k Hz |
50 Hz – 28 kHz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
4 |
2 |
| Woofer Size |
6.5" |
5.25" |
| Woofer Composition |
aluminium cone |
woven fiber cone |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
n/a |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
25×32 mm" |
| Tweeter Type |
aluminium dome with MAT |
folded ribbon |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
5" |
3" |
| Crossover Frequency |
450Hz and 2100Hz |
550 Hz and 2600Hz |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
205.0mm (8.1") |
197.0mm (7.8") |
| Width |
1090.0mm (42.9") |
521.0mm (20.5") |
| Depth |
463.0mm (18.2") |
210.0mm (8.3") |
| Weight |
45.20kg (99.4lbs) |
8.45kg (18.6lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass reflex |
| Finish |
n/a |
HDF |
| Available Colors |
High-Gloss White/Blue, High-Gloss White/Champagne, High-Gloss Black/ Grey, High-Gloss Black/Copper, Satin Walnut/Silver |
Black |
| Grille |
n/a |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
Yes |
Yes |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 years |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 years |
5 Years |