Short answer: the Emotiva Airmotiv XB2 for a cleaner distortion picture, the Revel Concerta2 M16 for a flatter on-axis response. The M16 is essentially flat from 200Hz to 10kHz with bass boost around 100Hz, but its harmonic distortion shows a notable peak around 80Hz, a sharp spike around 350Hz, and a woofer that gets unhappy before the tweeter handoff. The XB2 is very neutral and linear at its recommended toe-out angle, with only a slight 2kHz upper-midrange recess.
Buy the Emotiva Airmotiv XB2. It is rated higher for sound quality; the Revel Concerta2 M16 is no longer sold new.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Emotiva Airmotiv XB2 | Revel Concerta2 M16 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $549 per pair | $600 per pair used (about), Discontinued |
| Ranked | #41 of 134 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #51 of 134 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 43Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 41.6Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 62Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 60.1Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Dimensions | 12.8” x 8.5” x 11.5” (325 x 216 x 292 mm) | 14.8”H x 8.6”W x 10.8”D (374.7 x 218.4 x 273.3 mm) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (safe with 8-ohm rated amps) | 6 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 86dB (2.83V/1m, Manufacturer specified) | 86dB |
| Drivers | 1x 6” woven cone woofer, 1x 25x32mm AMT folded ribbon tweeter | 25mm tweeter + 165mm woofer |
| Weight | 18.1 lbs (8.2 kg) | 32 lbs (14.5 kg) |
| Woofer Cabinet | Bass reflex, rear ported | ported, rear |
| Frequency Response | 48Hz - 27kHz (+3/-3dB, Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Crossover Frequency | 2.6kHz | - |
| Power Handling | 125W continuous, 200W peak | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.65 | 5.06 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.93 | 7.28 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
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The Two Speakers In Full
Emotiva Airmotiv XB2: $549 per pair Emotiva eBay
Older models: the Emotiva B1+ (rated 4.1/5) and the Emotiva Airmotiv B2+ (ranked lower, rated 3/5).
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. Measured bass extension of 62Hz (-3dB).
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 |
| DIY Kit | No |
| 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) |
| Power Handling | 125W continuous, 200W peak |
| Sensitivity | 86dB (2.83V/1m, Manufacturer specified) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.65 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.93 |
| Weight | 18.1 lbs (8.2 kg) |
| Woofer Cabinet | Bass reflex, rear ported |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Emotiva Airmotiv XB2 vs ELAC Debut 3.0 DB63
- Emotiva Airmotiv XB2 vs Ascend Acoustics Sierra-2EX V2
- Emotiva Airmotiv XB2 vs Perlisten A3m
- Emotiva Airmotiv XB2 vs JBL HDI-1600
- Emotiva Airmotiv XB2 vs Aalto Speakers Aalto 3 Passive
- Emotiva Airmotiv XB2 vs Philharmonic BMR (v1)
- Emotiva Airmotiv XB2 vs ELAC VELA BS 403
- Emotiva Airmotiv XB2 vs Revel M126Be
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Revel Concerta2 M16: $600 per pair used (about) Discontinued eBay
Pros: CEA2034 spinorama shows an on-axis response that’s essentially flat from 200Hz to 10kHz, with some bass boost around 100Hz. Predicted in-room response is very nice, with just extra bass and a bit of roll-off above 20kHz: the reviewer calls it “nice!” Distortion is well controlled through most of the range at both test levels. Measured bass extension of 60.1Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Harmonic distortion shows a notable peak around 80Hz and a sharp spike around 350Hz, plus the woofer appears to get a bit unhappy right before handing off to the tweeter. Cumulative spectral decay (waterfall) shows some lingering resonances in the 300Hz-1kHz region. The reviewer cautions not to over-cover the cabinet/grille area with thin fabric, as it can audibly affect the top-end response. Discontinued.
Full Revel Concerta2 M16 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 41.6Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 60.1Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 14.8”H x 8.6”W x 10.8”D (374.7 x 218.4 x 273.3 mm) |
| Drivers | 25mm tweeter + 165mm woofer |
| Impedance | 6 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 86dB |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.06 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.28 |
| Weight | 32 lbs (14.5 kg) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Revel Concerta2 M16 vs ELAC Uni-Fi Reference UBR62
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- Revel Concerta2 M16 vs Definitive Technology Demand D11
- Revel Concerta2 M16 vs ELAC Debut 3.0 DB63
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