The Emotiva Airmotiv T2 floor-standing tower speakers and the matching Airmotiv C2 center channel speaker will surprise you from the moment you open the boxes. The Emotiva Airmotiv (pronounced “Air-Motive”) T2 floor-standing loudspeakers and their matching C2 center channel speaker aren’t that large (and, in fact, are significantly smaller than I expected), but they are so solid that I’d have guessed that each of the T2 towers weighed more than 100 pounds. Getting the speakers out of their boxes required some serious grunt. I was surprised to find that the actual weight of each T2 tower is only 57 pounds. The C2 center channel is similarly dense for its size.
FLOOR STANDING LOUDSPEAKERS
Three-way, floor-standing tower loudspeaker
Single rear port
1 x High frequency driver: 25×32 mm Airmotiv folded ribbon tweeter
1 x Midrange driver: 5.25” woven fiber cone in a separate, damped compartment
2 x Low frequency drivers: 8” woven fiber cones
91 decibels @ 1w/1m (2.83v/1m)
91 decibels @ 1w/1m (2.83v/1m)
200 watts continuous, 400 watts peak
100w – 500w/channel
4 ohms
35Hz – 28KHz (+3 dB)
3200Hz (12-18dB/octave)
350Hz (12dB/octave)
Dual speaker terminals for bi-amping or bi-wiring
42.1” x 10.7” x 12.25” (HxWxD)
47.5” x 15.75” x 17.25” (HxWxD)
56.9lbs or 71.3lbs (boxed)
Removable, adjustable spiked footers or rubber feet (both included)
Black cloth over a rigid frame, attaches with magnets for easy removal
$999/pair via direct internet sale or distributors worldwide
5-years, non-transferrable
30 days
CENTER CHANNEL SPEAKER
Three-way center-channel loudspeaker
Rear port
1 x high-frequency driver: 25×32 mm Airmotiv folded ribbon tweeter
1 x midrange driver: 3” woven fiber cone
2 x low-frequency drivers: 6.5” woven fiber cones
92dB @ 1w/1m (2.83v/1m)
150 watts continuous, 300 watts peak
75 – 350 watts
4 ohms
45Hz – 28KHz (+3dB)
3200Hz (12-18dB/octave)
350Hz (12dB/octave)
Dual speaker terminals for bi-amping or bi-wiring
8.63” x 31.9” x 10.5” (HxWxD) or 15” x 36.5” x 14” (HxWxD – boxed)
36.1lbs or 48lbs (boxed)
Shelf or stand with shock absorbing rubber bottom pad (included)
Black cloth over a rigid frame – attaches with magnets for easy removal
$369 via direct internet sale or distributors worldwide
5-years, non-transferrable
30 days
Emotiva, Floor-standing speaker review, Center-channel speaker review, Airmotiv, three-way, review, 2018, Glenn Young, Price, Value, Loudspeaker Review 2018
The prolific Emotiva company, based in Franklin Tennessee, is owned and operated by the Laufman family. It is best known for electronics and self-powered studio monitor speakers. Its products (particularly amplifiers) have the reputation for offering high value for the money. I came to this review with the preconception that any electronics company would have great difficulty surviving in the highly-competitive loudspeaker market. Was I wrong? Read on…
In preparation for my review of the Emotiva Airmotiv T2 floor standing loudspeakers and the Emotiva C2 center channel speaker, I had the opportunity to interview Mr. Dan Laufman, President of Emotiva. One of the first questions I asked was how the Emotiva Airmotiv T2 speakers differed from their award-winning T1 predecessors. The answer was that the design goals for the T2 included lower bass extension and slam with higher volume capability.
Another question I asked concerned the use of the “folded ribbon” (actually air-motion-transformer) tweeters. Mr. Laufman stated that the Airmotiv tweeters (used on both the T2 towers and the C2 center) achieve low distortion by having a large surface area and little to no high-frequency resonances or ringing (the plague of dome tweeters).
The front baffles on the T2 and C2 speakers are a laminate of high-density fiberboard (HDF) and other materials. The HDF was selected over the (far) less expensive and more common MDF (medium-density fiberboard) for its better structural integrity and its greater acoustical inertness. All driver mounts on the speakers are fitted with T-nuts and machine screws so that there are no wood screws used as driver mounts. This ensures better tightness, fewer rattles over the life of the speaker, and the ability to change drivers, if needed, without weakening the mountings. The separate midrange-tweeter compartment is also treated with a mastic coating to control vibration and resonance.
Laufman is also a fan of bi-wiring or bi-amplifying, particularly if speaker-wire lengths exceed 10 to 12 feet. Should the speakers be used with a subwoofer, a crossover point of 50 to 60Hz, with a high-pass filter, is recommended.
When I pointed out to Mr. Laufman that Emotiva is considered primarily an electronics company, and that there may be market resistance to the idea of buying speakers from a company focused elsewhere, the reply was that:
As mentioned earlier, getting the Emotiva T2 floor standing loudspeakers and even the C2 center channel speaker out of their boxes takes some doing. All speakers are heavy and compact, and one can install either the carpet-spikes or smooth-floor rubber-feet (both included) before leveling the towers. The C2 is smaller, slightly lighter, and easier to set up. Both the T2s and the C2 sport dual binding posts for bi-amplification or bi-wiring. I agree that the speakers sound (slightly) better with bi-wiring. Approximately half of my listening was done with the stock jumpers installed, and the other half with bi-wiring.
And now to the negatives… The Emotiva Airmotiv T2 and C2 speakers are available in any color you want – so long as it’s industrial black. If you are one who admires the blacked-out, “high-tech” look of a futuristic baffle design with woven-fiber drivers, then these are the speakers for you. But if you are expecting something to blend in with the furniture from a visual standpoint, then you’re out of luck. This trio of dual T2s and a C2 center could make a decorator’s dream room look like a sound mixing booth. This goes double if you have black (Emotiva?) components on the equipment stand.
So, considering their (probably) negative appearance-acceptance-factor, it might be best to have the “but they look UGLY” discussion in advance of springing the purchase on your significant other.
There’s yet another drawback to the “blackout” appearance. And that is the speaker terminals are labeled plus and minus by only raised symbols on the black plastic terminal plate. These are hard to see when squatting behind the speaker for hookup. The binder ferrules have red and black stripes, but these are equally difficult to see in low light situations. So, plan on bringing a flashlight for hookup!
So how do the Emotiva T2 floor standing speakers and the C2 center channel speaker sound? Let me first discuss the T2 towers used in stereo mode with no subwoofer.
The T2’s bass filled my 3500-cubic-foot living room with a low frequency response that went so deep that I could have sworn my subwoofer was engaged (it wasn’t). Not only that, but the T2s could play far louder than I wanted to listen. While doing so, the T2s never lost their poise, sounded “chuffy,” or became anything less than perfectly articulate. And this high-volume performance could be achieved with any amplifier that I tried.
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Another thing that impressed me about the T2s was the smooth integration between drivers. There is no audible clue as to where one driver hands off to another. In other words, there is no audible “speed difference” between the drivers. I am particularly impressed with the transition from the cone midrange to the ribbon tweeter. I had expected that the fast tweeter would be audibly distinguishable from the (theoretically) slower midrange cone, but I was mistaken. They seem to blend perfectly.
I was also surprised by the tweeter itself. I have heard a version of this Emotiva ribbon tweeter before in one of the company’s powered studio monitors. The studio monitor’s tweeter sounded to me as though it “homogenized the treble sounds.” Yet the same type of ribbon tweeter in the T2 speakers has none of that “sameness” evident. Treble sounds are clean, articulate, and pop from the background music just as a triangle “floats” above the sound of a live orchestra. Why the difference? I don’t know – it could be that the tweeter has been revised, that the crossover frequency is different (the powered monitors were two-way speakers, not three-ways like the T2s), or something else. But for whatever reason, the T2’s ribbon tweeters are a pleasure to listen to.
I also briefly listened to the Emotiva T2 floor-standing tower speakers in 2.1 stereo mode with my PowerSound Audio S3601 dual-18-inch subwoofer review. With the subwoofer in the mix (high and low-pass crossovers set to 50Hz), the T2 speakers developed additional authority and extension. Freed from the need to produce so much excursion below 50Hz, the T2 speakers also sounded far more open. A win all the way around!
As to whether the T2s are the “best $1,000 speakers in audio,” I’d have to say, “I don’t know – I haven’t heard the competition.” There are likely to be equivalent bargains out there (the Andrew Jones designed ELACs? the Golden Ears? others?), but of the speakers I have heard in my room, the T2s are definitely the best for their price so far. In fact, I’d have to say that (in my room and to my ears) I prefer the sound of the inexpensive T2s over every other speaker I’ve tried, regardless of price.
Using the Emotiva Airmotiv C2 center channel speaker with the T2s in 3.1, 5.1, and 7.1 formats, the sound field was not only coherent from side to side, but center-channel dialogue was crystal clear. The three-way C2 could also play far more loudly without breakup than a typical two-way center channel speaker. The fact that the C2 had the same tweeter as the T2 towers seemed to make a huge difference in improving coherency.
The C2 is not a small-sized center channel speaker. In fact, it looks even larger in the room than it does in its photos. But with that size, you not only get higher sensitivity, but more resistance to overload (and subsequent distortion) too. Mr. Laufman claimed that the C2 could even be run full-range without overloading (try THAT with any two-way center channel speaker!). I believe him. The C2 is a very good center channel speaker.
One of the first songs I played (T2 towers only in stereo 2.0 mode) was Béla Fleck and the Flecktones playing “Cosmic Hippo.” Its rolling bass gives lesser speakers the heebeejeebies – (That’s a technical term implying gross bass insufficiencies resulting in audible distortion). (also known as the willies, ed.) The T2 towers didn’t even blink.
The T2 specs claim a -3dB down point of 35Hz, but in my room, the speakers’ extension sounded as if it went at least 10Hz lower. Now that said, my room is “bass friendly,” and may well have given an acoustical boost to the T2 towers that would not be typical of most rooms. But an audio amigo who came to listen to the T2s was thoroughly convinced that the subwoofer was active, even when it wasn’t.
This level of low bass (speaking of bass frequency extension, not amplitude relative to the rest of the audio spectrum) could well be a problem in a smaller room, overloading the room with bass. For smaller rooms, I’d normally recommend the smaller T1 speakers. But if you’re crossing over to a subwoofer, then you could cross over at a higher frequency (perhaps 80 to 100 Hz.) and then cut back the bass at the sub to compensate for the room reinforcement. Otherwise, reducing the low frequency extension of the speaker (normally by restricting the port) can be employed. My favorite method is to restrict the port’s function by inserting a pair of socks. This certainly isn’t recommended, but it can sometimes be effective.
The larger woofers on the T2 (8” diameter vs. 6.5” on the T1 speakers) should have less excursion for a given loudness, and thus (theoretically) lower distortion.
Another favorite played on the T2 towers only was Sara Tavares “Balance” from the album of the same name. Sara’s voice is wonderful to listen to, and the T2 towers presented it with full depth and nuance.
For 5.1, I played the Hybrid SACD version of “John Coltrane and Johnny Hartman.” The C2 center channel provided as clear and smooth a transition to the T2s as any other speaker combo I’ve yet auditioned. So to throw a monkey wrench into all of this success (and to deliberately see if I could trip up the speakers)…
I queued up “La La Land” on 4K-UHD, HDR, and Dolby Atmos in all its hard-to-mix-down glory. I’ve noticed that previously, when mixing this or any other Dolby Atmos soundtrack down to two or even five channels via my OPPO disc player, that the dialogue was seriously damaged. Is this an artifact of the Dolby Atmos standard, a mixdown issue with my OPPO player, or an artifact of two-way center channel speakers? I’m not sure, but on “La La Land” as well as on “Hacksaw Ridge” and “Bladerunner 2049,” mixdowns have previously sounded funny. But with the C2 center channel in service, all the Dolby Atmos soundtracks’ dialogue sounded perfectly clear and as natural sounding as I’ve ever heard. I’ve tried the same mixes with my RBH HT speakers and subwoofer in service, but the Emotiva Airmotiv gear just sounded audibly better.
I compared the T2 speakers (in stereo mode with no subwoofer) to three other speaker pairs. One was the $2500-per-pair, highly-regarded, Tekton Pendragons. This pair of Pendragons included a crossover-capacitor upgrade, outriggers, and grills.
Since my Tekton Pendragons have been my reference speakers for the past few years, it seems only fair to compare and contrast the Emotiva T2 speakers with the Pendragons:
The T2s do not embarrass the Pendragons. The Pendragons are also really good speakers. They have some advantages over the T2s. Those I can think of include:
You can drive the 8-ohm Tektons with SET (single-ended triode) tube amplifiers with next to no watts – the 4-ohm T2s require more current.
You can annoy the neighbors with the Tektons – their ultimate loudness level is almost absurd. The T2s compress more and won’t play as loudly toward the top of their volume range.
The Tektons “wake up” and sound dynamic at a lower volume than the T2s.
But the T2s also have some advantages over the Tektons:
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The T2s have an audibly flatter frequency response than the Tektons (the dispersion of the 10” Tekton woofers seems to narrow in the crossover range).
The T2s image a lot better than the Tektons, and almost as well as the Thiel 1.6 speakers.
The T2s sound more transparent to the source than the Tektons.
I also compared the T2 speakers to the Thiel 1.6 two-way, 6.5” loudspeakers. The T2s image every bit as well as the $1990/pair Thiels, that are famous for their imaging. The T2s, however, can do so with far less amplifier power.
I also compared the T2 and C2 speakers (no subwoofer used) to a set of RBH bookshelf speakers with their RBH 10” subwoofer and RBH (two-way) center channel. Even with the subwoofer in the system, the RBH system failed to present the detail or the bass extension of the Emotiva Airmotiv components.
Other equipment used in this review included:
OPPO UDP-205 disc player & DAC
Mytek Liberty DAC & headphone amplifier
Schiit Saga passive preamp & tube buffer
Carver Premiere 5-channel THX power amplifier
Emotiva BasX A300 stereo power amplifier
Emotiva XPA-2, Generation 3 stereo power amplifier
Yamaha A-S2000 balanced integrated amplifier
Interconnects by Straightwire
Speaker wires by AudioQuest (T2), BlueJeans Cable, and Monster Cable
Note that in every case, the Emotiva Airmotiv T2 speakers (costing half or less, in most cases) outperformed the other available competitors.
The following measurements were made one meter from the front of the Emotiva Airmotiv T2 floor standing speakers:
The following measurements were made one meter from the front of the Emotiva Airmotiv C2 center channel speaker:
In both measurements, note how flat and extended the frequency response is. These are exceptionally good measurements for any loudspeaker.
Even when compared to products costing multiples of their price, the Emotiva Airmotiv T2 tower speakers and C2 center channel speaker hold their own without excuse. If you’re an audiophile who wants to maximize the value of your audio investments, consider listening to Emotiva’s Airmotiv speakers. Emotiva offers a 30-day, in-home trial period. During that interval, you can opt to keep the speakers or to return them to Emotiva at your expense for a full refund.
When you consider Emotiva’s home trial period, five-year warranty, sound quality, and inexpensive pricing, these T2 and C2 speakers are bargains. Even a decade ago, loudspeaker performance at this level was hard to come by at any price. Emotiva offers a winner yet again in their T2 tower and C2 center-channel speakers!
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View Comments
Hi kevon27 -
Perhaps some compromises had to be made to offer the high level of performance for the attractive price? I think that, had I bought a pair (and I SERIOUSLY thought about it...), I'd hand-paint some patterns on the black background to increase the "fun factor" of the appearance. I could also have covered the black vinyl with some wood-grain stick-on veneer. The nice thing about painting or covering is that the magnetic grills would still work perfectly. So some "do it yourself" would be required to improve the appearance, but it should be easily (and inexpensively) doable.
Cordially - Glenn Young
Hey Glenn,
I really enjoyed the review, so much so I would have liked to had read your review a few months ago before I had purchased my system set-up of SVS's Prime line of their speakers. I think that I probably would have order a set with the Center and gave them a try with what I like a "30 day trail period" in-which SVS has the fully 45 day trail period but with free return. But that said that for the price at a thousand dollars which they have 8 inch woofers where SVS has only 6 & 1/2 inch probably does make quite a difference of the sound, oh don't take this wrong SVS Towers are wonderful and I studied a lot of speaker lines in that $1000. dollar range before deciding upon SVS. Like wrote I wish this line would have been out a few months ago to review then, I believe it would have been hard to have chosen between Emotiva and the SVS. I'm going to have to find a show room around the Nashville area or Memphis, TN. area to go take a listen, since I have already purchased 2, SVS Prime Tower’s 3-½-Way, Prime Center 3-Way, along with 4, Prime 2-way Satellite’s speakers and of course a SVS PC13-ULTRA Sub-Woofer I would have to go audition them in person to be wowed by them in which from your great review I more than likely would be hard pressed to not buy them.
Glenn do they really as you wrote give your set of Tekton Pendragons that much of a run as you say? Here you have the Emotiva's with 8 inch woofer's compared to Pendragons 10 inch woofer and you think what Emotiva has is more in the ball park of higher priced and build quality to them. Glenn you have me rethinking my choice in my decision of speakers and man that's not good because I did my studying long and hard before buying. Also Glenn I'm one from old school before Sub's were the normal in the very late 60's and all thru the 70's which you had your big 12 inch Woofer's from great speaker builders and a lot coming out of Japan, England, Germany, Canada to name a few where also you had your 3-way, 4-way and if I'm thinking right wasn't it AR that had a 5-way speaker? But back before you didn’t even have a Center speaker as today. You think as I have come to believe that speakers and their cross-over’s & builds are so much better today than 40 years ago? I have to ask Glenn, if you haven't reviewed the SVS Prime Tower's & their Center I would appreciate that you would and give us your take on them because their the under a $1000. dollar line also that I would believe a lot of your readers like me have to live with that $1000. dollar limit. I almost mortgaged the house for a higher priced set but at least I was able to find a line that fell into what a lot of your "Real" readers can afford, I don't mind saying hey man I can't afford that set of $8000. dollar speakers that I wish I could but having a person such as yourself to help us readers with another speaker line to chose from that most can afford is wonderful. Like wrote if these would have been out I don't know if I wouldn't have tried them from just your review.
Glenn thanks for the GREAT ! review and keep it up for the average Joe that can afford just what you reviewed it's great to get facts from an experienced audio Guru like yourself ! HA! to help people as myself.
old ones much more uglier to me...
Your review is spot on and very detailed. I was considering the JBL 590s when they were on sale for $1,000/pr. However, after reading your review along with doing some other research, I took a gamble and went with the Emotiva T2s. I had a friend who owns 4 or 5 As well as a buddy who has 4 pairs of towers all over $2k
He says T2 better than all, not sure on his Polk LSiM705, but said they probably Polks a little better but it would be close, he thought T2 deeper lows, but one area Polks better- mids
Everything else he said pretty even...take it for what its worth. He said would need to listen more to really decide. Keep in mind the Polks are 3K/pair
The C2 is a beast, truly an awesome center
Hi Mike -
I also share your friend's opinion that the T2 Emotiva's bat at about 3x their price in the current market. You might get better depth with a pair of $3.5K Magnepans, but ONLY if you have the right room for them. The T2 design is more forgiving of asymmetrical placements, and images well (almost) no matter where the speakers are placed. I've found an old pair of Wharfdale Evolution 40 speakers (kevlar drivers and $2K / pair when new) that I think the Emotiva speakers would spank. And the Wharfdales are not, by any measure, a bad set of speakers! Polk speakers have a reputation for being exceptional values also, so maybe a closer fight there, but as you point out The LSiM705 Polks ARE $3,000 a pair speakers.
Other than their stark looks, I've not yet found any competition for the Emotiva T2s at anywhere near their price, but I'm hoping to review a $1K pair of JBL towers soon, and they also have a reputation for performance above their price point. Interesting times for audiophiles on realistic budgets!
Glenn Young
Pretty awesome that you are so high on the T2s. I have yet to find a 3 way-- with dual 8 inch drivers for less than $1k ....ribbon tweeter is also a huge +++
Thanks again for this review, helped made my decision to get the T2s
Be sure to post your impressions once they arrive. I'm betting you'll be pleased.
I've had them about 2 mos
I freakin love them
Imaging/Soundstage very good, Soundstage is wide both vertical/horizontal
Mids work well same with highs
Lows really surprise me
That ribbon tweeter very good
But always bad.....some people dont like the looks I like very much
If you crank louder than normal...like really loud 110db++ they fall apart to some degree
But I never ever go that loud
On my Marantz I'm at 55db and they are so dynamic on/off axis sounds like subs on sometimes....with movies at 70db, and trust me it is superb.
I have absolutely no complaints.
My last speakers very well regarded Chanes A2.4
I like how neutral these are...
Again, let me stress this PLEASE FIND ME BETTER VALUE TOWERS WITH DUAL 8 inch TOWERS under 1k ?? LOL They don't exist!!!
Cheers
Hi Mike -
So glad you're happy with the purchase. I'm still looking around at the sub-$1K speaker market, and so far, the T2 Emotivas rule the price-point. Please DON'T run ANY speakers at anywhere near 110 decibels - it'll ruin your hearing (really)!
What is the brand of the Audo shelving in the picture?
Thanks!
The shelving is Sanus Euro.
You also tested the Martin Logan Motion 40 right? Do you think these are better? At half the price that would be a feat!
No - The Martin Logans I tested were electrostatic floor-standers. However, I've heard both the ML Motion 40s and 60s at my local Magnolia kiosk. And I'll stick my neck out and say that I DO think that the Emotiva T2 speakers are the full equals of the ML speakers. In fact, the T2s are so good I'm regretting having sent them back.
I have the ML40 now. Have always wondered if it was worth selling them and getting either the T2 or Chane A5.4 and pocketing some cash.
Emotiva offers a 30 day "try it" - do some side-by-side comparisons and then make your decision.
THe Chane's A5.4 vs Emotiva T2s be interesting comparison
I'm not familiar with the Chanes - wouldn't know.
And I've both owned and reviewed a host of other speakers since these T2s and STILL have yet to find anything I like better. I'm honestly considering selling my beloved Thiel 1.6 speakers (and my dual subwoofers) and then buying myself a T2 pair. Some of the speakers through my room have been in the six thousand dollar range. They LOOK fancier and are probably better made, but in terms of performance, the T2 has held its own against them all. I just don't think that one can better the Emotiva T2s at any reasonable price. The straw that would break this particular camel's back would be if Emotiva offered the T2s in any finish other than black.
What do you think about the T2s vs Tekton DI's? Worth going there? My buddy is looking for Towers under 3K
Right now, down to Tekton DI, Dynaudio X38, Monster Audio Silver 500, I didnt even recommend T2s because he is set on 3k speakers lol
I turned on the T2s with my NEW 2019 JTR 118 HTs and he said OMG thats way too much bass
your house gonna cave in LOL
I would get the DIs for him to listen if worth it to pay shipping back of (300) if they dont match up to the T2s?? And I'll pass on half to him for next pair...lol he has no clue what he is doing
Tell him the T2s cost $3K and have him evaluate them that way. Then tell him you've saved him $2K and he owes you a BIG Christmas gift! LOL
In a small room, the T2s can have too much bass (I firmly believe that those who have written that the speakers sound "Boomy" are listening to them in too small a room.
The bass can be easily attenuated in several ways:
1. Put the speakers on small stands (getting them off the floor)
2. Get the speakers away from the walls (walls reinforce the bass)
3. Use some DSP (room correction) to flatten the response or
4. Use the tone controls (cough, cough) to tame the bass.
For small-room use, though, I'd definitely recommend the Emotiva T1 or T-Zero models instead of the T2s.
I've not heard the Tekton DI, the Dynaudio X38, or the Monster Audio Silver 500, so I can't comment on them. I did, however have some Tekton Pendragons, and even in my (relatively) large room, those had too much bass.
Cheers & Merry Christmas - Glenn Young
I am excited about these speakers but am worried that my Onkyo TX-NR818 wouldn't drive these with their 4 ohm impedence....
Only a portion of the frequency spectrum falls to four ohms. The remainder of the speaker's range has higher impedance. I'd be surprised if your Onkyo had any problem. The only exception I can imagine is if you want to play at stadium volumes (you don't, do you - it's definitely bad for your ears!). I'd predict no worries, and if the Onkyo won't handle the speakers, you can return them for a refund.