Short answer: the Emotiva Airmotiv XA2. It ranks #5 of 11 surround speakers by sound quality, rated 3.6/5, at $329; the Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-500SA II ranks #7, rated 3.5/5, and costs $449.99, which makes this an easy call rather than a real tradeoff.
The case for the Emotiva Airmotiv XA2: A wall or ceiling surround and height speaker with the folded ribbon tweeter of the Emotiva Airmotiv XB2, which rotates to aim at the listener, and a 5.25” woofer. The tradeoff: No independent measurements yet, so its tonal balance and directivity can’t be compared with ranked speakers.
The case for the Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-500SA II: A Dolby Atmos elevation speaker that also works as a surround, with the 5.25” Cerametallic woofer and horn loaded titanium tweeter of the Klipsch RP-500M II. Watch for: No independent measurements yet, so its tonal balance and directivity can’t be compared with ranked speakers.
Buy the Emotiva Airmotiv XA2. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-500SA II and costs less, which makes it the one to get unless you need something the other one does better.
About the ratings: neither speaker has been measured yet, so both ratings are estimated from measured siblings and predecessors (likely ranges: Emotiva Airmotiv XA2 3.2 to 4.0; Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-500SA II 3.1 to 3.9). Treat this verdict as provisional.
Want more options? Browse the full Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Emotiva Airmotiv XA2 | Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-500SA II | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $329 per pair | $449.99 per pair |
| Ranked | #5 of 11 in Surround and Height Speakers Estimated | #7 of 11 in Surround and Height Speakers Estimated |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 75Hz (manufacturer specified) | - |
| Drivers | 1x 25x32mm folded ribbon tweeter, 1x 5.25” woven fiber woofer | 1x 1” titanium LTS tweeter on 90x90 Tractrix horn, 1x 5.25” Cerametallic woofer |
| Sensitivity | 86dB (manufacturer specified) | 93dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (manufacturer specified) | 8 ohms nominal (manufacturer specified) |
| Frequency Response | 75Hz - 27kHz (±3dB, manufacturer specified) | - |
| Dimensions | 12.5”H x 7.2”W x 8.5”D (318 x 182 x 216 mm) | 8.6”H x 6.9”W x 12.7”D (218 x 175 x 322 mm) |
| Weight | 11 lbs (5.0 kg) each | 8 lbs (3.63 kg) |
| Amplifier Power | 40W or more recommended | 70W RMS (300W peak) handling |
| Warranty | 5 years | - |
| Enclosure | - | MDF, switchable Atmos/Surround crossover |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Emotiva Airmotiv XA2:
- Emotiva Airmotiv XA2 vs Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-502S II
- Emotiva Airmotiv XA2 vs MartinLogan Motion MP10
- Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-500SA II vs SVS Prime Elevation
- Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-500SA II vs Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-502S II
- Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-500SA II vs MartinLogan Motion MP10
Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 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 XA2: $329 per pair Estimated Emotiva eBay
Same family: the Emotiva Airmotiv XB2 (bookshelf, rated 4.2/5), the Emotiva Airmotiv XT1 (smallest floorstanding, estimated 4/5), the Emotiva Airmotiv XT2 (floorstanding, estimated 4.2/5), the Emotiva Airmotiv XT3 (largest floorstanding, estimated 4.2/5), the Emotiva Airmotiv XC2 (smallest center, estimated 3.4/5), the Emotiva Airmotiv XC1 (center, estimated 3.6/5) and the Emotiva Airmotiv XC3 (largest center, estimated 3.6/5). See every Emotiva Airmotiv generation.
Pros: A wall or ceiling surround and height speaker with the folded ribbon tweeter of the Emotiva Airmotiv XB2, which rotates to aim at the listener, and a 5.25” woofer.
Cons: No independent measurements yet, so its tonal balance and directivity can’t be compared with ranked speakers. Rated only from 75Hz, so it needs a subwoofer, and 86dB sensitivity is modest.
Full Emotiva Airmotiv XA2 review and specifications →
| Released | Feb 2024 (2 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 40W or more recommended |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 75Hz (manufacturer specified) |
| Dimensions | 12.5”H x 7.2”W x 8.5”D (318 x 182 x 216 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 25x32mm folded ribbon tweeter, 1x 5.25” woven fiber woofer |
| Frequency Response | 75Hz - 27kHz (±3dB, manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (manufacturer specified) |
| Sensitivity | 86dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Warranty | 5 years |
| Weight | 11 lbs (5.0 kg) each |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- No independent measurement review is linked for this model; it is ranked from hands-on listening and comparison against similarly priced speakers.
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-500SA II: $449.99 per pair Estimated Amazon eBay
Same family: the Klipsch RP-500M II (smaller bookshelf, rated 4/5), the Klipsch RP-600M II (larger bookshelf, rated 3.7/5), the Klipsch RP-5000F II (smallest floorstanding, rated 4/5), the Klipsch RP-6000F II (floorstanding, rated 3.9/5), the Klipsch RP-8000F II (floorstanding, rated 3.9/5), the Klipsch RP-8060FA II (largest floorstanding, estimated 3.8/5), the Klipsch RP-404C II (smallest center, rated 3.7/5), the Klipsch RP-500C II (center, rated 3.9/5), the Klipsch RP-504C II (largest center, rated 3.8/5) and the Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-502S II (larger surround, ranked lower, estimated 3.5/5). See every Klipsch Reference Premiere generation.
Pros: A Dolby Atmos elevation speaker that also works as a surround, with the 5.25” Cerametallic woofer and horn loaded titanium tweeter of the Klipsch RP-500M II.
Cons: No independent measurements yet, so its tonal balance and directivity can’t be compared with ranked speakers. Its angled cabinet suits only height or surround duty, and it needs a subwoofer for bass.
Full Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-500SA II review and specifications →
| Released | 2022 (4 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 70W RMS (300W peak) handling |
| Dimensions | 8.6”H x 6.9”W x 12.7”D (218 x 175 x 322 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 1” titanium LTS tweeter on 90x90 Tractrix horn, 1x 5.25” Cerametallic woofer |
| Enclosure | MDF, switchable Atmos/Surround crossover |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal (manufacturer specified) |
| Sensitivity | 93dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 8 lbs (3.63 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- No independent measurement review is linked for this model; it is ranked from hands-on listening and comparison against similarly priced speakers.
- Head-to-Head Comparisons