Short answer: the Focal Twin6 Be for better sound quality, the Emotiva Airmotiv 6s for the lower price. The Focal Twin6 Be ranks #34 of 40 powered bookshelf speakers at $2200. The Emotiva Airmotiv 6s ranks #39 at $400, $1800 cheaper.
The case for the Focal Twin6 Be: High-output 2.5-way studio monitor with an inverted beryllium tweeter and two 6.5-inch W-composite drivers, one covering bass/midrange and the other reinforcing only 40-150Hz. The tradeoff: The response and directivity are not as uniformly neutral as newer waveguided three-way monitors, and Erin suspected intermodulation-related roughness even though conventional harmonic distortion was low.
What the Emotiva Airmotiv 6s gets right: CEA2034 spinorama shows lots of bass energy below 300Hz and the ability to play louder than a JBL 305P MKII comparison unit. The catch: A suckout between 300-600Hz on the listening window is followed by a peak from 600Hz up.
Buy the Focal Twin6 Be if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Emotiva Airmotiv 6s if the price matters more than sound quality.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip both of these and look higher up the 40 powered bookshelf speakers instead.
Specifications Side By Side
| Focal Twin6 Be | Emotiva Airmotiv 6s | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2,200 each | $400 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #34 of 40 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #39 of 40 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension | 40Hz manufacturer specified; Erin measured strong low-frequency linearity | - |
| Sensitivity | Not applicable (active studio monitor) | - |
| Drivers | 1" inverted beryllium tweeter; dual 6.5" W-cone drivers | 6.5" AirMotiv low-frequency transducer, 60x32mm AirMotiv tweeter |
| Amplification | 150W LF + 100W LF/MF + 100W HF | - |
| Inputs | Balanced XLR with +4dBu/-10dBV sensitivity | - |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | - | 72Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 55Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Discontinued | - | Yes |
| Frequency Response | - | 42Hz - 25kHz (+0/-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | - | 24.9 lbs / 11.3 kg each |
| App | - | No |
| EQ | - | Yes (built-in presets) |
| DSP | - | No |
| Output Power | - | 210W total (100W tweeter, 110W woofer) |
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More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- Klipsch The Nines vs Klipsch The Sevens
- JBL 4305P vs Klipsch The Sevens
- Edifier S3000Pro vs Klipsch The Sevens
- Focal Twin6 Be vs JBL 306P MKII
- Edifier R2850DB vs Focal Twin6 Be
The Two Speakers In Full
Focal Twin6 Be: $2,200 each Amazon
Pros: High-output 2.5-way studio monitor with an inverted beryllium tweeter and two 6.5-inch W-composite drivers, one covering bass/midrange and the other reinforcing only 40-150Hz. Erin measured excellent harmonic distortion at both 86 and 96dB, essentially quarter-decibel dynamic compression and clean subjective output around 95dB. Mirror-configurable driver orientation, front ports, shelving/notch controls and switchable +4dBu/-10dBV input sensitivity support professional installation.
Cons: The response and directivity are not as uniformly neutral as newer waveguided three-way monitors, and Erin suspected intermodulation-related roughness even though conventional harmonic distortion was low. The amplifier plate becomes notably warm after extended operation. Hiss is more audible in -10dBV mode, and safe output can be deceptive because the speaker gives little audible warning before excessive exposure. The active design has no passive impedance or sensitivity figure; low-bass extension should be augmented for full-range mastering.
Full Focal Twin6 Be review and specifications →
| Amplification | 150W LF + 100W LF/MF + 100W HF |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension | 40Hz manufacturer specified; Erin measured strong low-frequency linearity |
| Drivers | 1" inverted beryllium tweeter; dual 6.5" W-cone drivers |
| Inputs | Balanced XLR with +4dBu/-10dBV sensitivity |
| Sensitivity | Not applicable (active studio monitor) |
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- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Emotiva Airmotiv 6s: $400 Discontinued
Pros: CEA2034 spinorama shows lots of bass energy below 300Hz and the ability to play louder than a JBL 305P MKII comparison unit. Bi-amped design with 100W (tweeter) plus 110W (woofer) drives a 6.5” AirMotiv low-frequency transducer and AMT-style tweeter.
Cons: A suckout between 300-600Hz on the listening window is followed by a peak from 600Hz up. The built-in EQ options don’t fix this - one preset has the same dip plus a 3-7kHz peak. Vertical response droops at the 2.5kHz crossover. The reviewer’s verdict: there’s no reason to buy a speaker with a suckout in the upper bass if you have a choice. Discontinued.
Full Emotiva Airmotiv 6s review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 55Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 72Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| DSP | No |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 6.5" AirMotiv low-frequency transducer, 60x32mm AirMotiv tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (built-in presets) |
| Frequency Response | 42Hz - 25kHz (+0/-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Output Power | 210W total (100W tweeter, 110W woofer) |
| Weight | 24.9 lbs / 11.3 kg each |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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- Emotiva Airmotiv 6s vs Adam Audio S2V
- Emotiva Airmotiv 6s vs Genelec 8341A
- Emotiva Airmotiv 6s vs JBL 306P MKII
- Emotiva Airmotiv 6s vs Edifier R2850DB
- Emotiva Airmotiv 6s vs Kali Audio LP-6
- Emotiva Airmotiv 6s vs Klipsch The Nines
- Emotiva Airmotiv 6s vs Adam Audio T7V