Short answer: the Triangle Borea BR03, if you are buying new. The Emotiva Airmotiv B2+ ranks higher than it (#107 vs #113 of 134 bookshelf speakers, 3.0/5 vs 2.8/5) but is discontinued, so only consider it used; the Triangle Borea BR03 is still sold new at $398.
Buy the Triangle Borea BR03 if you want one new; the Emotiva Airmotiv B2+ is discontinued, so only look for it used.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Emotiva Airmotiv B2+ | Triangle Borea BR03 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $449 per pair Discontinued | $398.00 per pair |
| Ranked | #107 of 134 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #113 of 134 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 43Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 42Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 66Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 57Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 86dB (measured average, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 87.5dB (measured at 2.83V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | 6.5” woven-fiber woofer, 32 x 25mm folded-ribbon tweeter | 6.5” natural cellulose midwoofer, 1” (25mm) EFS silk dome tweeter |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (manufacturer specified) | 8 ohms nominal (manufacturer spec), 4.2 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | ported, dual front ports |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.60 | 4.03 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.96 | 6.38 |
| Dimensions | 12.8”H x 8.5”W x 11.5”D (324 x 216 x 293 mm) | 14.96”H x 8.11”W x 12.36”D |
| Weight | 15.7 lbs (7.1 kg) each | 13.2 lbs (6 kg) each |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Crossover Frequency | - | 3600Hz |
| Recommended Power | - | 100W |
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Prices on this page were last checked October 2, 2026 at 10:18 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Speakers In Full
Emotiva Airmotiv B2+: $449 per pair Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the Emotiva Airmotiv XB2, ranked higher, rated 4.2/5.
Pros: Erin measured a useful 86dB average sensitivity and strong midbass punch around 120Hz. The folded-ribbon tweeter provides very broad upper-treble radiation, and the speaker can create a spacious presentation when positioned carefully. Response and directivity remain reasonably orderly below the roughly 2kHz crossover region. The 6.5-inch woofer offers more output capability than compact 5-inch competitors, while F3/F10 of 66/43Hz leave adequate overlap for a conventional 80Hz subwoofer crossover. Horizontal directivity data makes the broad baffle-step trend amenable to partial EQ below the crossover. Measured bass extension of 66Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 86dB.
Cons: The replacement B2+ did not deliver the neutral upgrade Erin expected. A baffle-step loss around 500Hz depresses the lower midrange while the AMT’s much wider radiation above crossover injects excess room energy, yielding a bright, forward balance and false impression of cymbal detail. The directivity discontinuity near 2kHz cannot be completely equalized. Erin measured F3 at 66Hz and F10 at 43Hz, so meaningful kick-drum fundamentals and low bass still need a subwoofer. Vertical listening tolerance is roughly +/-10 degrees, with best results between the top of the woofer and tweeter axes. Broad lateral treble energy may require careful toe-out and sidewall absorption. Despite a large cabinet, it offers limited deep-bass advantage and was not Erin’s hoped-for successor to the more linear B1+. Discontinued.
Full Emotiva Airmotiv B2+ review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 43Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 66Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 12.8”H x 8.5”W x 11.5”D (324 x 216 x 293 mm) |
| Drivers | 6.5” woven-fiber woofer, 32 x 25mm folded-ribbon tweeter |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (manufacturer specified) |
| Sensitivity | 86dB (measured average, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.60 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.96 |
| Weight | 15.7 lbs (7.1 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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Triangle Borea BR03: $398.00 per pair Amazon eBay
Pros: Bass output is genuinely decent for the price: measured extension reaches F3 57Hz/F10 42Hz, which the reviewer had no real complaints about. Dual front-firing ports and a well-stuffed, well-braced cabinet. Solid build quality overall. Measured bass extension of 57Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 87.5dB.
Cons: A noticeable mid-range suckout, most pronounced in the upper mid-range/lower treble, that the reviewer attributes to cabinet resonances and driver breakup rather than a deliberate voicing choice: it makes vocals and instruments sound recessed and thin rather than warm. Sibilance in the 4-8kHz region shows up on every track the reviewer tried. Measured minimum impedance dips to about 4.2 ohms (with an even lower EPDR), despite the speaker and its own rear panel being labeled 8 ohms: worth knowing if you’re planning to drive these with a receiver/AVR that assumes an 8-ohm nominal load. The reviewer is upfront that this speaker has a devoted following among other reviewers, but says he specifically doesn’t hear what they hear and wants people who own it to trust their own ears rather than assume something’s wrong with their hearing if they don’t love it either.
Full Triangle Borea BR03 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 42Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 57Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Crossover Frequency | 3600Hz |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 14.96”H x 8.11”W x 12.36”D |
| Drivers | 6.5” natural cellulose midwoofer, 1” (25mm) EFS silk dome tweeter |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal (manufacturer spec), 4.2 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Recommended Power | 100W |
| Sensitivity | 87.5dB (measured at 2.83V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.03 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.38 |
| Weight | 13.2 lbs (6 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, dual front ports |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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