In this review, we will be comparing Prime Elevation and Airmotiv XA2, two Passive Surround speakers from SVS and Emotiva.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of SVS Prime Elevation and Emotiva Airmotiv XA2 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | SVS Prime Elevation | Emotiva Airmotiv XA2 |
|---|
| Brand | SVS
United States · founded 1998 | Emotiva
United States · founded 2003 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1.0" Hard-Dome | 25×32 mm" folded ribbon |
|---|
| Woofer | 4.5" | 5.25" woven fiber cone |
|---|
| Frequency response | 55-25k Hz | 75 Hz – 27 kHz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 87 dB | 86 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 4 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | — | Up to 80 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 3.54kg / 7.8lbs | 10.00kg / 22lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 9-5/16" x 5-1/2" x 7-7/8"
236.5 x 139.7 x 200.0mm | 12.5" x 7.15" x 8.5"
317 x 182 x 216 mm |
|---|
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
Drivers
Both Prime Elevation and Airmotiv XA2 are 2-way speakers.
SVS Prime ElevationEmotiva Airmotiv XA2
TweeterWoofer
Front view, drawn to scale - cabinets and drivers share one scale, so sizes are directly comparable. Hover a driver for its size.
| Driver |
SVS Prime Elevation |
Emotiva Airmotiv XA2 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1.0-inch
|
25×32 mm-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 4.5-inch
|
1 x 5.25-inch
|
Prime Elevation features a 1.0" Hard-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 4.5" Woofer. On the other hand, the Airmotiv XA2 features a 25×32 mm" folded ribbon Tweeter and 1 x 5.25" woven fiber cone Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 3200Hz.
Frequency Response
Prime Elevation has a frequency range of 55-25k Hz whereas Airmotiv XA2 has a frequency range of 75 Hz – 27 kHz. With a minimum frequency of 55Hz, the Prime Elevation can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Airmotiv XA2's min frequency of 79Hz.
The graph below depicts how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average Low Frequency values of other speakers in the Surround class in our database.
Low Frequency
Surround 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
Prime Elevation is a 8 ohms speaker compared to the Airmotiv XA2 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 XA2 can provide this impedance level.
These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. Prime Elevation sensitivity is rated at 87 dB and the Airmotiv XA2's is rated at 86 dB. This 1 dB difference makes the SVS Prime Elevation a more sensitive speaker compared to Emotiva Airmotiv XA2, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
Sensitivity
Surround Speakers
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
Prime Elevation features Binding post type posts and Airmotiv XA2 has a Binding post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Emotiva Airmotiv XA2's Binding post terminals
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 SVS Prime Elevation's and Emotiva Airmotiv XA2's external dimensions. SVS Prime Elevation has external dimensions of 236.5 x 139.7 x 200.0mm () whereas Emotiva Airmotiv XA2 has external dimensions of 317 x 182 x 216 mm (12.5” x 7.15” x 8.5”).
Emotiva Airmotiv XA2 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 42.3mm wider, 80.5mm taller and 16mm deeper than SVS Prime Elevation.
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.
Emotiva Airmotiv XA2 needs about 41% more floor or shelf area. Emotiva Airmotiv XA2 is 16mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. Emotiva Airmotiv XA2 is 81mm 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 SVS Prime Elevation is approximately 279.4cm2 / 43.3inch2 and base area of the Emotiva Airmotiv XA2 is approximately 393.1cm2 / 60.9inch2. The Prime Elevation requires 29% less surface area than the Airmotiv XA2 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 SVS Prime Elevation weighs 3.54kg / 7.8lbs and the Emotiva Airmotiv XA2 weighs 10.00kg / 22lbs. This makes the Airmotiv XA2 182% heavier than the Prime Elevation.
Here is a comparison of how Prime Elevation and Airmotiv XA2's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Surround class.
Weight
All Surround Speakers
 Sensitivity |
87 dB
vs
86 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Nominal Impedance |
8 ohms
vs
4 ohms
|
Less selective with amplifiers |
 Low Frequency Response |
55 Hz
vs
79 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Height |
236mm
vs
317mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
279cm2
vs
393cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
|
Woofer Size |
5.25 inches
vs
4.5 inches
|
Larger woofer |
 High Frequency Response |
27k Hz
vs
25k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Price per pair* |
499USD
vs
550USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
SVS Prime Elevation |
Emotiva Airmotiv XA2 |
| Brand |
SVS |
Emotiva |
| Speaker Type |
Surround speaker |
Surround speaker |
| Sensitivity |
87 dB |
86 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
4 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
55-25k Hz |
75 Hz – 27 kHz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
4.5" |
5.25" |
| Woofer Composition |
|
woven fiber cone |
| Woofer Surround Material |
n/a |
SBR |
| Tweeter Size |
1.0" |
25×32 mm" |
| Tweeter Type |
Hard-Dome |
folded ribbon |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
n/a |
3200Hz |
| Firing Direction |
n/a |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
236.5mm (9.3") |
317.0mm (12.5") |
| Width |
139.7mm (5.5") |
182.0mm (7.2") |
| Depth |
200.0mm (7.9") |
216.0mm (8.5") |
| Weight |
3.54kg (7.8lbs) |
10.00kg (22lbs) |
| Enclosure |
|
Bass reflex |
| Finish |
MDF/Wood-grain vinyl |
n/a |
| Available Colors |
Black Ash |
Black |
| Grille |
n/a |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
A generation apart: Emotiva Airmotiv XA2 is the newer design, against a 2017 model. Newer is not automatically better, but the older one is more likely to be discounted or near run-out.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | A | SVS Prime Elevation digs deeper - 55Hz against 79Hz. |
| Amplifier needs | evenly matched | Similar sensitivity (87dB vs 86dB) - both want much the same power. |
| Amplifier match | A | SVS Prime Elevation is the easier load at 8 ohms; the other is 4 ohms and wants an amplifier rated for it. |
| Size | depends | SVS Prime Elevation is easier to place; Emotiva Airmotiv XA2 is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Price | evenly matched | Much the same money ($550 vs $499 a pair). |
A SVS Prime Elevation B Emotiva Airmotiv XA2
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?
SVS Prime Elevation has the edge on paper, though the margin is not large. The rows marked "depends" may matter more to you than the score does. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 79Hz anyway, so judge these on the other rows instead. In a large or open-plan room, Emotiva Airmotiv XA2 has the cabinet volume to fill it more easily; in a small room, near a wall or at desk distance, SVS Prime Elevation is the easier speaker to get right.
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.