In this review, we will be comparing Platinum C250 3G and Airmotiv C3+, two Passive Center Channel speakers from Monitor Audio and Emotiva. Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Monitor Audio Platinum C250 3G and Emotiva Airmotiv C3+ first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
Monitor Audio Platinum C250 3G Key Specs
- 3-way Design
- 1" Tweeter
- 2.5" Midrange
- 2 x 5" RDT III Woofer
- 30-60k Hz Frequency Response
- 88dB Sensitivity
- Impedance: 4ohms
- Power Range:up to 300watts
- Weight:25.40kg
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 225.0" x 24.8" x 12.8"( 225 x 630 x 325.7 mm )
Emotiva Airmotiv C3+ Key Specs
- 3-way Design
- 25×32 mm" folded ribbon Tweeter
- 5.25" Midrange
- 4 x 6.5" woven fiber cone Woofer
- 5.25" Midrange
- 40 Hz – 28 kHz Frequency Response
- 92 dB Sensitivity
- Impedance: 4ohms
- Power Range:Up to 200watts
- Weight:26.80kg
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 220.0" x 54-3/4" x 12-1/4"( 220.0 x 1391.0 x 312.0mm )
What size room are the Monitor Audio Platinum C250 3G and Emotiva Airmotiv C3+ 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* |
Monitor Audio Platinum C250 3G |
Emotiva Airmotiv C3+ |
| Near-field |
Poor |
Poor |
| Small Room |
Poor |
Average |
| Mid-size Room |
Good |
Good |
| Large Room |
Good |
Average |
| Very Large Room |
Average |
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 Monitor Audio Platinum C250 3G and Emotiva Airmotiv C3+ 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 Platinum C250 3G and Airmotiv C3+ are 3-way speakers.
| Driver |
Monitor Audio Platinum C250 3G |
Emotiva Airmotiv C3+ |
|
Driver Setup
|
3-way
|
3-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
25×32 mm-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
1 x 2.5-inch |
2 x 5.25-inch |
|
Woofer
|
2 x 5-inch
|
4 x 6.5-inch
|
Platinum C250 3G features a 1" MPD III Tweeter , a 2.5" Midrange and 2 x 5" RDT III Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 850 Hz - 3500 Hz. On the other hand, the Airmotiv C3+ features a 25×32 mm" folded ribbon Tweeter , a 5.25" Midrange and 4 x 6.5" woven fiber cone Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 350 Hz and 2800Hz.
Frequency Response
Platinum C250 3G has a frequency range of 30-60k Hz whereas Airmotiv C3+ has a frequency range of 40 Hz – 28 kHz. With a minimum frequency of 30Hz, the Platinum C250 3G can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Airmotiv C3+'s min frequency of 40Hz.
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
Monitor Audio Platinum C250 3G
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
Platinum C250 3G and Airmotiv C3+ have the same Impedance of 4 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. Platinum C250 3G sensitivity is rated at 88dB and the Airmotiv C3+'s is at 92 dB. This 4 dB difference makes the Emotiva Airmotiv C3+ a more sensitive speaker compared to Monitor Audio Platinum C250 3G, 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 Platinum C250 3G and the Platinum C250 3G 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.
Platinum C250 3G can handle a max power of 300 watts RMS from the amp the whereas Airmotiv C3+ has a max power handling value of 200 watts RMS, 100 watts less than the Platinum C250 3G.
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 Platinum C250 3G and Airmotiv C3+ features dual binding post speaker terminals for bi-amping or bi-wiring.
Monitor Audio Platinum C250 3G's Binding post terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring
Emotiva Airmotiv C3+'s Binding post terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring
Monitor Audio Platinum C250 3G Port
Emotiva Airmotiv C3+ double Port
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 Monitor Audio Platinum C250 3G's and Emotiva Airmotiv C3+'s external dimensions. Monitor Audio Platinum C250 3G has external dimensions of 225 x 630 x 325.7 mm ( 8.8 x 24.8 x 12.8-inch) whereas Emotiva Airmotiv C3+ has external dimensions of 220.0 x 1391.0 x 312.0mm ( 8-5/8-inch x 54-3/4-inch x 12-1/4-inch) .
Emotiva Airmotiv C3+ is 5mm shorter and 14mm less deeper than Monitor Audio Platinum C250 3G but it is also 761mm wider.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Monitor Audio Platinum C250 3G and Emotiva Airmotiv C3+ in scale.
Comparison image of Monitor Audio Platinum C250 3G and Emotiva Airmotiv C3+ 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 Monitor Audio Platinum C250 3G is approximately 2053.8cm2 / 318.3inch2 and base area of the Emotiva Airmotiv C3+ is approximately 4339.9cm2 / 672.7inch2. The Platinum C250 3G requires 53% less surface area than the Airmotiv C3+ which gives it a small advantage 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 Monitor Audio Platinum C250 3G weighs 25.40kg / 55.9lbs and the Emotiva Airmotiv C3+ weighs 26.80kg / 59lbs. This makes the Airmotiv C3+ 6% heavier than the Platinum C250 3G.
Here is a comparison of how Platinum C250 3G and Airmotiv C3+'s weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Center Channel class.
Weight
All Center Channel Speakers
Monitor Audio Platinum C250 3G