Emotiva Airmotiv Speakers Preview

Emotiva has made their name offering products that tickle high-end ear bones at modest prices.  For CES 2016, Emotiva will be unveiling a complete line of passive speakers under the Airmotiv label built around their trademark folded ribbon tweeters.  All models feature modern elegant black faceted baffles, with critically braced high quality MDF cabinets and magnetically attached grills.

Emotiva Airmotiv T1, $349 each (left pic); Emotiva Airmotiv LCR, $199 each

Emotiva Airmotiv, Emersa, and XPA Gen 3 Interview with Dan Laufman at CES 2016

New Airmotiv introductions for 2016 include: 

Airmotiv T1 (MSRP: $349 ea.): A three-way tower loudspeaker with Airmotiv™ folded-ribbon tweeter. Featuring 3-way ported design with dual 6.5” woven Kevlar® woofers, one 5.25” woven Kevlar® mid-woofer, and one 25mm x 32mm Airmotiv™ tweeter. The T1 has inserts for removable spikes, and dual speaker terminals for bi-amping or bi-wiring. 

Airmotiv LCR (MSRP: $199 ea.): A two-way low profile MTM which can be used as matching LCR front channels or side/back surround channels.  Their shallow depth makes them easy to place near a wall without being obtrusive.  The LCR sports dual 4.25” woven Kevlar® woofer, and 25mm x 25mm Airmotiv™ tweeter. It also has are dual speaker terminals for bi-amping or bi-wiring.

Airmotiv B1 ($299 pr.): A two-way bookshelf loudspeaker with Airmotiv™ folded-ribbon tweeter. The B1 features 2-way ported design with 5.25” woven Kevlar® woofer, and 25mm x 32mm Airmotiv™ tweeter. It also has are dual speaker terminals for bi-amping or bi-wiring. 

Airmotiv C1 ($249 ea.): Three-way center channel loudspeaker with Airmotiv™ folded-ribbon tweeter. The C1 features a 3-way ported design, dual 5.25” woven Kevlar® woofers, one 3” woven Kevlar® midrange, and one 25mm x 32mm Airmotiv™ tweeter. 

Airmotiv E1 ($249 pr.): A two-way direct-firing side surround or rear-surround loudspeaker with Airmotiv™ folded-ribbon tweeter. Features a 2-way ported design with 4.5” woven Kevlar® woofers, and 25mm x 25mm Airmotiv™ tweeters. 

Airmotiv SB1 ($499 ea.): A two-way LCR (three-channel) sound bar with Airmotiv™ folded-ribbon tweeters, the SB1 has three independent M-T-M speakers for Left/Center/Right in a 3.0 or 3.1 system. Each speaker utilizes six 4” woven Kevlar® woofers, and three 25mm x 25mm Airmotiv™ tweeters. 

Airmotiv S10 ($499): A powered subwoofer with a cast frame, 10” long throw woofer, and a 10” passive radiator. The S10 has a 350-watt RMS Class A/B amplifier with balanced and unbalanced inputs, and a toroidal power supply. With onboard controls for gain, crossover frequency, phase, the S10 automatically switches on when signal is detected. 

Airmotiv S12 ($699): A 12” powered subwoofer with a cast frame, long throw 12” woofer, and a 12” passive radiator. The S12 has a 500-watt Class A/B amplifier with balanced and unbalanced inputs, toroidal power supply, as well as onboard controls for gain, crossover frequency, phase, and automatic signal detection and switching.

Emotiva Airmotiv SB1

Conclusion

In our testing, Airmotiv powered studio monitors were favorably received, though best suited for nearfield listening.  We're very excited to hear what a passive system tuned for multiple use scenarios will sound like in our main theater room.  One thing's for sure, at these prices, it's all but a given that the Emotiva Airmotiv will continue to be a high-value hit.  We'll be checking these out on the CES floor, so make sure you stay tuned for all of our CES 2016 coverage here on audioholics.com and on our facebook page.

Airmotiv will be available exclusively at Emotiva dealers and direct from the company at www.emotiva.com.

Unless otherwise indicated, this is a preview article for the featured product. A formal review may or may not follow in the future.