Short answer: the Emotiva Airmotiv XB2. It ranks #48 of 222 bookshelf speakers by sound quality (rated 4.2/5) at $549 and is still sold new; the Monolith Encore B6 ranks #99 (rated 3.9/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used.
The Emotiva Airmotiv XB2 is the more accurate choice. A great value bookshelf speaker with neutral sound, an AMT ribbon tweeter, and decent bass for its size. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 5.65 against 4.67 for the Monolith Encore B6. The catch: Slight recessed upper-midrange around 2kHz from the tweeter-to-woofer handoff.
What the Monolith Encore B6 does well: Budget bookshelf speakers with punchy midbass, smooth wide dispersion and an unusually solid braced cabinet for the price. The catch: Erin measured 85.3dB sensitivity and a 3.4-ohm minimum, so this is not an easy load despite its modest output ceiling.
Buy the Emotiva Airmotiv XB2. It is rated higher for sound quality and still sold new, while the Monolith Encore B6 is discontinued.
Still deciding? The full Passive Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Measured Differences
- Bass depth: the Monolith Encore B6 reaches 37 Hz (10 dB down) against 43 Hz for the Emotiva Airmotiv XB2, about half an octave deeper. You hear more of the lowest bass notes and kick drums.
- Tonal accuracy above the bass: with a subwoofer taking the low end, the Emotiva Airmotiv XB2 scores 7.9 against 6.9 for the Monolith Encore B6 on the Spinorama preference scale. Its frequency response and off-axis sound are smoother, so voices and instruments sound closer to the recording.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Emotiva Airmotiv XB2 | Monolith Encore B6 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $549 per pair | $360 per pair Discontinued |
| Ranked | #48 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #99 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 43Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 37Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 62Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 68Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 12.8” x 8.5” x 11.5” (325 x 216 x 292 mm) | 15.7H x 7.9W x 9.9D inches |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (safe with 8-ohm rated amps) | 4 ohms nominal; 3.4 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 86dB (2.83V/1m, Manufacturer specified) | 85.3dB/2.83V/1m (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | 1x 6” woven cone woofer, 1x 25x32mm AMT folded ribbon tweeter | 6.5-inch pulp woofer; 25mm waveguided silk dome |
| Weight | 18.1 lbs (8.2 kg) | 15.4 lbs (7.0 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | Bass reflex, rear ported | - |
| Frequency Response | 48Hz - 27kHz (+3/-3dB, Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Crossover Frequency | 2.6kHz | - |
| Power Handling | 125W continuous, 200W peak | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.65 | 4.67 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.93 | 6.93 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
Where the Ratings Come From
- Emotiva Airmotiv XB2: Spinorama.org measurements and reviews by Erin’s Audio Corner.
- Monolith Encore B6: Spinorama.org measurements and reviews by Erin’s Audio Corner video.
This comparison is generated from the ratings, specifications and measurements on each product’s own page, and it updates when that data changes. How we rank explains how each rating is decided.
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