Short answer: the Emotiva Airmotiv XB2 for better sound quality, the StarkSound Beta 5 for the lower price. The Emotiva Airmotiv XB2 ranks #31 of 84 bookshelf speakers at $549. The StarkSound Beta 5 ranks #35 at $499, $50 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 StarkSound Beta 5 offers: Impressive bass extension for the price - F3 at 52Hz, F10 at 37Hz, reaching down to 40-50Hz in-room with solid kick-drum impact. Watch for: Sensitivity undershoots its own spec - rated 86dB, measured closer to 83dB.
Buy the Emotiva Airmotiv XB2 if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the StarkSound Beta 5 if the price matters more than sound quality.
Specifications Side By Side
| Emotiva Airmotiv XB2 | StarkSound Beta 5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $549 | $499 |
| Ranked | #31 of 84 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #35 of 84 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) | 52Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 12.8" x 8.5" x 11.5" (325 x 216 x 292 mm) | 11.9" x 7.2" x 13" (302 x 182 x 330 mm) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (safe with 8-ohm rated amps) | 4 ohms nominal |
| Sensitivity | 86dB (2.83V/1m, Manufacturer specified) | 83dB (2.83V/1m, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | 1x 6" woven cone woofer, 1x 25x32mm AMT folded ribbon tweeter | 1.15" tweeter, 5.25" dry-carbon woofer |
| Weight | 18.1 lbs / 8.2 kg | 15 lbs / 6.8 kg |
| Woofer Cabinet | Bass reflex, rear ported | Bass reflex, rear ported |
| Frequency Response | 48Hz - 27kHz (+3/-3dB, Manufacturer specified) | 45Hz - 23kHz (-3dB, Manufacturer specified) |
| Crossover Frequency | 2.6kHz | 2200Hz |
| Output Power | 125W continuous, 200W peak | - |
| Max Volume | - | 108dB (1m, Manufacturer specified) |
| Recommended Power | - | 30W - 150W |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- ELAC DB63 vs Revel Concerta2 M16
- ELAC DB63 vs Revel Performa M22
- ELAC DB63 vs Klipsch RP-600M II
- Emotiva Airmotiv XB2 vs Monolith Encore B6
- StarkSound Beta 5 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 |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
StarkSound Beta 5: $499
Pros: Impressive bass extension for the price - F3 at 52Hz, F10 at 37Hz, reaching down to 40-50Hz in-room with solid kick-drum impact. Good harmonic distortion control at both moderate and loud listening levels. Solid build with a thick polycarbonate baffle meant to reduce cabinet resonance.
Cons: Sensitivity undershoots its own spec - rated 86dB, measured closer to 83dB. A resonance artifact shows up independently in the on-axis response, burst decay, and impedance measurements, hurting directivity. Multitone distortion spikes to about 10% in the 800Hz-1kHz range, tied to woofer excursion - a subwoofer crossover helps. Needs to sit close to the wall (about 10 inches) or be EQ’d if placed further out, since the midrange sounds thin and the treble boosted otherwise.
Full StarkSound Beta 5 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 37Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 52Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Crossover Frequency | 2200Hz |
| Dimensions | 11.9" x 7.2" x 13" (302 x 182 x 330 mm) |
| Drivers | 1.15" tweeter, 5.25" dry-carbon woofer |
| Frequency Response | 45Hz - 23kHz (-3dB, Manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal |
| Max Volume | 108dB (1m, Manufacturer specified) |
| Recommended Power | 30W - 150W |
| Sensitivity | 83dB (2.83V/1m, measured by Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Weight | 15 lbs / 6.8 kg |
| Woofer Cabinet | Bass reflex, rear ported |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons