Short answer: the Emotiva Airmotiv XB2 for better sound quality, the Monolith Encore C6 for the lower price. The Emotiva Airmotiv XB2 ranks #31 of 84 bookshelf speakers at $549. The Monolith Encore C6 ranks #47 at $250, $299 cheaper.
What the Emotiva Airmotiv XB2 offers: Very neutral, linear frequency response at the recommended toe-out angle, with better directivity than the similarly-priced ELAC DB63. Watch for: Slight recessed upper-midrange around 2kHz from the tweeter-to-woofer handoff.
What the Monolith Encore C6 offers: Better behaved off-axis than its horizontal MTM layout suggests: Erin found only about 2dB midrange loss at 20° and useful coverage through roughly 30°. Watch for: F3 is 76Hz, so a subwoofer and 80Hz crossover are required.
Buy the Emotiva Airmotiv XB2 if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Monolith Encore C6 if the price matters more than sound quality.
Specifications Side By Side
| Emotiva Airmotiv XB2 | Monolith Encore C6 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $549 | $250 |
| Ranked | #31 of 84 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #47 of 84 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 43Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | - |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 62Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 76Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 12.8" x 8.5" x 11.5" (325 x 216 x 292 mm) | - |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (safe with 8-ohm rated amps) | 4 ohms nominal |
| Sensitivity | 86dB (2.83V/1m, Manufacturer specified) | 86.3dB/2.83V/1m (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | 1x 6" woven cone woofer, 1x 25x32mm AMT folded ribbon tweeter | Dual 6.5-inch pulp woofers; 25mm waveguided silk dome |
| Weight | 18.1 lbs / 8.2 kg | - |
| Woofer Cabinet | Bass reflex, rear ported | - |
| Frequency Response | 48Hz - 27kHz (+3/-3dB, Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Crossover Frequency | 2.6kHz | - |
| Output Power | 125W continuous, 200W peak | - |
| Enclosure | - | Vented MDF |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- ELAC DB63 vs Polk Monitor XT20
- ELAC DB63 vs ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2
- Cerwin Vega LA165 vs ELAC DB63
- StarkSound Beta 5 vs Monolith Encore C6
- Emotiva Airmotiv XB2 vs Monolith Encore B6
The Two Speakers In Full
Emotiva Airmotiv XB2: $549 Emotiva
Pros: Very neutral, linear frequency response at the recommended toe-out angle, with better directivity than the similarly-priced ELAC DB63. Decent bass extension for a bookshelf (F3 at 62Hz). AMT folded-ribbon tweeter with a rotating waveguide for placement flexibility. Great value - rated a top-three performer for the money by Erin’s Audio Corner.
Cons: Slight recessed upper-midrange around 2kHz from the tweeter-to-woofer handoff. Sounds noticeably bright pointed directly at the listener - needs toeing out 10-20 degrees, crossfiring behind the head, for the most linear result. Elevated multi-tone distortion at higher output leads to some grainy, compressed mids when pushed. Irregular compression deviations affect dynamics at higher volume. Needs a subwoofer for real bass authority.
Full Emotiva Airmotiv XB2 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 43Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 62Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Crossover Frequency | 2.6kHz |
| Dimensions | 12.8" x 8.5" x 11.5" (325 x 216 x 292 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 6" woven cone woofer, 1x 25x32mm AMT folded ribbon tweeter |
| Frequency Response | 48Hz - 27kHz (+3/-3dB, Manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (safe with 8-ohm rated amps) |
| Output Power | 125W continuous, 200W peak |
| Sensitivity | 86dB (2.83V/1m, Manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 18.1 lbs / 8.2 kg |
| Woofer Cabinet | Bass reflex, rear ported |
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Monolith Encore C6: $250 Amazon Monoprice
Pros: Better behaved off-axis than its horizontal MTM layout suggests: Erin found only about 2dB midrange loss at 20° and useful coverage through roughly 30°. The early-reflections directivity index is sufficiently smooth that Erin’s miniDSP correction produced a notably flat result. Measured sensitivity is a useful 86.3dB, and the dual 6.5-inch format supplies good dialogue headroom for a low-cost center.
Cons: F3 is 76Hz, so a subwoofer and 80Hz crossover are required. Unequalized response is not especially flat and carries elevated treble; Erin recommended it primarily when EQ is available. Like every horizontally spaced MTM, midrange interference worsens beyond the central seats even though this example is better than expected. Four-ohm nominal impedance calls for a capable AVR or amplifier.
Full Monolith Encore C6 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 76Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Drivers | Dual 6.5-inch pulp woofers; 25mm waveguided silk dome |
| Enclosure | Vented MDF |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal |
| Sensitivity | 86.3dB/2.83V/1m (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons