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Emotiva Airmotiv C1+ Review
Emotiva Airmotiv C1+

Main Features

  • 25×32 mm" folded ribbon Tweeter
  • 3" woven fiber Midrange
  • 2 x 5.25" woven fiber cone Woofer
  • 50 Hz – 28 kHz Frequency Response
  • 89 dB Sensitivity
  • Impedance: 4ohms
  • Power Range: Up to 120watts
  • Weight:18.60 lbs / 8.45 kg
  • Dimensions(HxWxD): 7-3/4"x20-1/2"x8-1/4" / 197.0 x 521.0 x 210.0mm

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Emotiva Airmotiv C1+ Review

Emotiva Airmotiv C1+ is a 3-way Passive Bass reflex Center Channel speaker by Emotiva. Center channel speaker is an important component of a home theater system set-up as it delivers the listener significant part of the on-screen dialogue from your television. It features a 25×32 mm" folded ribbon Tweeter, 1 x 3" Midrange and 2 x 5.25" woven fiber cone Woofer. The speaker has a frequency range of 50 Hz – 28 kHz and a sensitivity of 89 dB. Emotiva Airmotiv C1+ has an MSRP of 299$.

What size of room is the Emotiva Airmotiv C1+ speaker good for?

The size of the room in which you are planning to use the Emotiva Airmotiv C1+ is an important decision factor. Here we have evaluated its suitability to various sizes of environments considering its size and max power parameters:

Listening Environment* Suitability
Near-fieldPoor
Small RoomAverage
Mid-size RoomGood
Large RoomAverage
Very Large RoomPoor

(* 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.)

What are the speakers in Emotiva's Airmotiv Series?

Airmotiv C1+ is a member of Emotiva's Airmotiv series of Passive speakers. Below you can see the main specs of these speakers.

Emotiva Airmotiv Series Speakers
Model Frequency SensitivityImpedance Woofer
Emotiva Airmotiv B1+
Compare
48-28k Hz 86 dB8Ω 1 x 5.25"
Emotiva Airmotiv B2+
Compare
40-28k Hz 86 dB4Ω 1 x 6.25"
Emotiva Airmotiv T3+
Compare
29-28k Hz 91 dB4Ω 3 x 8"
Emotiva Airmotiv T-Zero+
Compare
48-28k Hz 87 dB4Ω 2 x 5.25"
Emotiva Airmotiv C3+
Compare
40-28k Hz 92 dB4Ω 4 x 6.5"
Emotiva Airmotiv C1+
50-28k Hz 89 dB4Ω 2 x 5.25"
Emotiva Airmotiv C2+
Compare
45-28k Hz 92 dB4Ω 2 x 6.5"
Emotiva Airmotiv T1+
Compare
37-28k Hz 88 dB4Ω 2 x 6"
Emotiva Airmotiv T2+
Compare
35-28k Hz 91 dB4Ω 2 x 8"


**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.

What is the Frequency Response of the Emotiva Airmotiv C1+ speaker?

Emotiva Airmotiv C1+ has a Frequency response range of 50 Hz – 28 kHz at ±3dB and Power Range of Up to 120 watts. Here we have a comparison of how Airmotiv C1+'s Low and High frequency values compare with the average, max and min Low and High frequency values in its class.

Low Frequency
Center Channel Speakers
Emotiva Airmotiv C1+
Min
Average
Max
High Frequency
Center Channel Speakers
Emotiva Airmotiv C1+
Min
Average
Max


Emotiva Airmotiv C1+ Tweeter
Emotiva Airmotiv C1+'s folded ribbon Tweeter

What is the Crossover frequency of Emotiva Airmotiv C1+?

Airmotiv C1+ is a 3-way speaker and its crossover frequency between the woofer and the midrange set to 550Hz and the Crossover frequency between the midrange and the tweeter is set to 2600Hz.

Emotiva Airmotiv C1+ Crossover
Emotiva Airmotiv C1+ Crossover is set to 550 Hz and 2600Hz

What are the Impedance and Sensitivity of the Emotiva Airmotiv C1+? Is it an easy-to-drive speaker?

Emotiva Airmotiv C1+'s nominal impedance level is 4 ohms and has a sensitivity of 89 dB.

Sensitivity
Center Channel Speakers
Emotiva Airmotiv C1+
Min
Average
Max

Nominal Impedance of 4 Ohms means that the Emotiva Airmotiv C1+ is a difficult to drive speaker from nominal Impedance perspective, make sure that you choose an amplifier than can provide 4 Ohms for this speaker.
Many AVRs (audio/video receiver) in the market may have difficulty when the speakers dip below the 4 Ohms levels (this may cause clipping or even physical damage), so we recommend to not pair the Emotiva Airmotiv C1+ with an AVR but use an Integrated Amplifier instead.

Sensitivity

89dB of Emotiva Airmotiv C1+ is an average sensitivity for stereo speaker so it is neither easy nor difficult to drive Sensitivity wise.

Check the amplifiers that are in a similar price range to the Emotiva Airmotiv C1+:

  • All Integrated Amplifiers

Input Type

Airmotiv C1+ has Binding post type connectors and lets bi-amping/bi-wiring. Bi-wiring can provide improvements in the overall transparency of your loudspeakers by running separate speaker wires to the low & high frequency drivers from a single amplifier. Bi-amping allows the use of separate amplifiers for the high & low frequency drivers of your loudspeaker which may result in greater dynamic range & lower distortion.

Emotiva Airmotiv C1+ Back View
Emotiva Airmotiv C1+ Back View

Emotiva Airmotiv C1+ Terminals
Emotiva Airmotiv C1+'s Binding post terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring

Emotiva Airmotiv C1+ External Dimensions and Weight

Emotiva Airmotiv C1+ has external dimensions of (Height x Width x Depth) 7-3/4 x 20-1/2 x 8-1/4inch (197.0 x 521.0 x 210.0mm ).

Base Surface Area
Base surface area of a loudspeaker may become a determining factor when the space in your room or desk is limited. The base area of Emotiva Airmotiv C1+ is approximately 1094.1cm2 / 169.6inch2.

Weight

The Emotiva Airmotiv C1+ weighs 8.45kg / 18.6lbs per piece. Here is a comparison of how Airmotiv C1+'s weight compares with the average, max and min weights in its class.

Weight
All Center Channel Speakers
Emotiva Airmotiv C1+
Min
Average
Max
Weight
Center Channel Speakers under $300
Emotiva Airmotiv C1+
Min
Average
Max

How does the Emotiva Airmotiv C1+ compare to the Emotiva Airmotiv C2+?

One of the natural alternative to the Emotiva Airmotiv C1+ is the which is located one step higher in Emotiva's Passive Center Channel selection.

Check the Detailed Comparison of Emotiva Airmotiv C1+ vs for more details.

Cabinet type and Materials

Emotiva Airmotiv C1+ has a Bass reflex type cabinet and a HDF finish.

Speaker Feet

Emotiva Airmotiv C1+ comes with shock absorbing rubber bottom pad which you can use to secure your loudspeaker on the surface that you are putting on.

It is always recommended to use some kind of feet under all types of speakers. Besides limiting the movement of the speakers, it also compensates for non-flat surfaces and limits the contact surface area of the speaker. Rubber based feet also help isolating the vibrations within certain frequency ranges.

Port Position

Emotiva Airmotiv C1+ is a rear-firing port speaker so you have to make sure you leave enough space between the back of the speaker and wall or bookshelf so that it has room to breathe.

Available colors

Emotiva Airmotiv C1+ is available in Black.

Does the Emotiva Airmotiv C1+ come with a Grille?

Airmotiv C1+ comes with magnetic grilles in black color choices. The purpose of the grille is to protect the delicate driver elements from external impacts while still allowing the sound to pass as clearly as possible. Since the included grille of the Airmotiv C1+ is magnetic type, it is very easy to put it on and off.

Emotiva Airmotiv C1+  with Grille
Emotiva Airmotiv C1+ with Grille

User's Manual

For more information about how to setup, use and maintain the Emotiva Airmotiv C1+, use the direct link below to download the official manual document:
Download User Manual for Emotiva Airmotiv C1+

Official Product Page

Official manufacturer's product page for the Emotiva Airmotiv C1+ speaker can be found below:
Official Product Page for Emotiva Airmotiv C1+

Warranty

5 Years of parts warranty and 5 Years of labor warranty is generally provided by the manufacturer.

Emotiva Airmotiv C1+ Alternatives in Passive Center Channel Speakers
Model Type Sensitivity Impedance Frequency
Polk ES35
Compare
2-way 89 dB 8 ohms 66-40k Hz
Sony SS-CS8
Compare
2-way 86 dB 6 ohms 55-25k Hz
Polk XT35
Compare
2-way 87 dB 8 ohms 57-40k Hz
Polk ES30
Compare
2-way 89 dB 8 ohms 55-40k Hz
Wharfedale Diamond 12.C
Compare
2-way 90 dB 8 ohms 90-20k Hz
Emotiva Airmotiv C2+
Compare
3-way 92 dB 4 ohms 45 Hz – 28 kHz
Klipsch RP-500C II
Compare
2-way 96 dB 8 ohms 60-25k Hz
Klipsch RP-600C
Compare
2-way 97 dB 8 ohms 58-25k Hz
JBL Stage A135C
Compare
2-way 90 dB 6 ohms 75-40k Hz
Polk XT30
Compare
2-way 89 dB 8 ohms 55-40k Hz
Frequently Asked Questions about Emotiva Airmotiv C1+
What is the External Dimensions of Emotiva Airmotiv C1+
What is the Speaker Sensitivity of Emotiva Airmotiv C1+
is the Emotiva Airmotiv C1+ an easy to drive speaker?



Emotiva Airmotiv C1+ Detailed Specifications

General
BrandEmotiva
Full Model NameEmotiva Airmotiv C1+
Speaker Type3-way Center Channel
Power RangeUp to 120 watts
Sensitivity89 dB
Impedance4 ohms
Frequency Response50 Hz – 28 kHz
DRIVERS
Woofer Size5.25-inch
Woofer Compositionwoven fiber cone
Tweeter Size25×32 mm-inch
Tweeter Typefolded ribbon
Midrange Size3-inch
Crossover freq550 Hz and 2600Hz
Port Positionrear

CONNECTIONS
Connector TypeBinding post
Biamp InputsYes
Port Positionrear
PHYSICAL SPECS
Height197.0mm ( 7-3/4-inch)
Width521.0mm ( 20-1/2-inch)
Depth210.0mm ( 8-1/4-inch)
Height197.0mm ( 7-3/4-inch)
Weight8.45kg ( 18.60 lbs)
EnclosureBass reflex
FinishHDF
Available ColorsBlack
GrilleYes
Moisture ResistanceNo
OTHER
Handheld RemoteNo
Parts Warranty5 Years
Labor Warranty5 Years
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