Emotiva Airmotiv XC1 is a 3-way Passive Bass reflex Center Channel speaker by Emotiva. It was released in February 2024. 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 4.5" Midrange and 2 x 5.25" woven fiber cone Woofer. The speaker has a frequency range of 50 Hz – 27 kHz and a sensitivity of 88 dB. Emotiva Airmotiv XC1 has an MSRP of 399$.
Room Size Suitability
The size of the room where you plan to use the Emotiva Airmotiv XC1 is a crucial factor in your decision. We have assessed its suitability for various room sizes based on its dimensions and maximum power output:
| Listening Environment* |
Suitability |
| Near-field | Poor |
| Small Room | Average |
| Mid-size Room | Good |
| Large Room | Average |
| Very Large Room | 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.)
Emotiva replaced the older Airmotiv C1+ with this model. Follow the link to read our detailed comparison of these models:
Compare Emotiva Airmotiv XC1 vs Emotiva Airmotiv C1+
Emotiva's Airmotiv X Series of Loudspeakers
Airmotiv XC1 is a member of Emotiva's Airmotiv X series of Passive speakers. The Airmotiv X range are Emotiva's affordable passive bookshelf and tower speakers. Below you can see the main specs of these speakers.
See all 9 Emotiva Airmotiv X models compared »
Emotiva Airmotiv X Series Speakers
Emotiva Airmotiv X Series Speakers
Frequency Response of the Emotiva Airmotiv XC1 Speaker
Emotiva Airmotiv XC1 has a Frequency response range of 50 Hz – 27 kHz and Power Range of Up to 120 watts.
Here we have a comparison of how Airmotiv XC1's Low frequency value compares with the average, max and min Low frequency values in its class.
Low Frequency
Center Channel Speakers
Emotiva Airmotiv XC1's folded ribbon Tweeter
Crossover frequency of the Emotiva Airmotiv XC1?
Airmotiv XC1 is a 3-way speaker and its crossover frequency between the woofer and the midrange is set to 620 Hz and the crossover frequency between the midrange and the tweeter is set to 3100 Hz.
Impedance and Sensitivity
Emotiva Airmotiv XC1's nominal impedance level is
4 ohms and has a sensitivity of
88 dB.
Sensitivity
Center Channel Speakers
Nominal Impedance of the 4 Ohms means that the Emotiva Airmotiv XC1 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 XC1 with an AVR but use an Integrated Amplifier instead.
Sensitivity
88dB of the Emotiva Airmotiv XC1 is an average sensitivity for stereo speaker so it is neither easy nor difficult to drive Sensitivity wise. Work out how loud the Emotiva Airmotiv XC1 plays in your room →
Running more than one pair from a single amplifier? Check the load it would present →
What amplifier does the Emotiva Airmotiv XC1 need?
At normal listening levels in a medium room, about
24–120 W
per channel into 4 ohms.
Set your own conditions and we will rank every amplifier we cover.
Prefer to browse? Integrated amplifiers under $500, or every amplifier we cover.
Input Type
Airmotiv XC1 has Binding post type connectors and lets bi-amping/bi-wiring. Bi-wiring can enhance the overall transparency of your loudspeakers by using separate speaker wires for the low and high-frequency drivers from a single amplifier. Bi-amping, on the other hand, involves using separate amplifiers for the high and low-frequency drivers, potentially resulting in a greater dynamic range and reduced distortion.
Work out what gauge speaker cable this run needs →
Emotiva Airmotiv XC1 Back View
Emotiva Airmotiv XC1 External Dimensions and Weight
Emotiva Airmotiv XC1 has external dimensions of (Height x Width x Depth) 7.5” x 26” x 9.5” (190 x 660 x 241 mm ).
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 XC1 is approximately 1590.6cm2 / 246.5inch2.
To get a better perspective on the real life size of Emotiva Airmotiv XC1, let's compare it with a standard size Compact Disc which has a diameter of 4.7inch (120mm).
Emotiva Airmotiv XC1 Speaker Size Compared to a Compact Disc
Find speakers that fit your shelf or alcove →
WeightThe Emotiva Airmotiv XC1 weighs 11.30kg / 24.9lbs per piece. Here is a comparison of how Airmotiv XC1's weight compares with the average, max and min weights in its class.
Weight
All Center Channel Speakers
Weight
Center Channel Speakers under $500
Cabinet type and Materials
Emotiva Airmotiv XC1 has a
Bass reflex type cabinet.
Port Position
Emotiva Airmotiv XC1 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 XC1 is available in Black.
Does the Emotiva Airmotiv XC1 come with a Grille?
Airmotiv XC1 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 XC1 is magnetic type, it is very easy to put it on and off.
Emotiva Airmotiv XC1 with Grille
Recommended Accessories
Here is a list of accessories that we think you may need for the Emotiva Airmotiv XC1.
User's Manual
For more information about how to setup, use and maintain the Emotiva Airmotiv XC1, use the direct link below to download the official manual document:
Download User Manual for Emotiva Airmotiv XC1
Official Product Page
Official manufacturer's product page for the Emotiva Airmotiv XC1 speaker can be found below:
Official Product Page for Emotiva Airmotiv XC1
Warranty
5 Years of parts warranty and 5 Years of labor warranty is generally provided by the manufacturer.