Short answer: both are discontinued, so this only matters if you are buying used. Used, the Emotiva Airmotiv 6s is the better pick: it ranks #77 of 113 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality (rated 4.0/5), against #94 (rated 3.9/5) for the Kali Audio LP-8. If you want one new, the Kali Audio LP-8 V2 replaces the Kali Audio LP-8 and is rated 4.1/5 at $598.
Why pick the Kali Audio LP-8: The original LP-8 offers a large woofer, a waveguide and placement switches for affordable nearfield monitoring. Watch for: First-generation amplifier noise can be distracting at a quiet desk.
Why pick the Emotiva Airmotiv 6s: ASR measured 49.1Hz -3dB bass extension and a 5.75 ideal-subwoofer score. Watch for: The 3.0dB response span from 300Hz to 5kHz includes lower-midrange unevenness that can change vocal weight.
Buy the Emotiva Airmotiv 6s only if you find one used in good condition; both are discontinued, and it is the better rated of the two. For a new speaker, buy the Kali Audio LP-8 V2, which replaces the Kali Audio LP-8.
Want more options? Browse the full Powered Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Kali Audio LP-8 | Emotiva Airmotiv 6s | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $598 per pair Discontinued | $800 per pair Discontinued |
| Ranked | #94 of 113 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #77 of 113 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Dimensions | 16.5”H x 10”W x 11.3”D (419.1 x 254 x 287 mm) | 13.5” x 8.5” x 12.8” (343 x 216 x 324 mm) (H x W x D) |
| Frequency Response | 45Hz - 21kHz (+-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 42Hz - 25kHz (+0/-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | TRS, XLR, RCA | XLR, RCA |
| Weight | 19.8 lbs (9.0 kg) each | 24.9 lbs (11.3 kg) each |
| Drivers | 8” woofer, 1” soft dome tweeter | 6.5” AirMotiv low-frequency transducer, 60x32mm AirMotiv tweeter |
| App | No | No |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) | Yes (built-in presets) |
| DSP | No | No |
| Amplifier Power | 100w Per Speaker | 210W total (100W tweeter, 110W woofer) |
| XLR Input | Yes | Yes |
| RCA Input | Yes | Yes |
| TRS Input | Yes | No |
| Optical Input | No | No |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | No | No |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | - | 49.1Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 37.6Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Emotiva Airmotiv 6s compares with other leading options:
- Genelec 8341A vs Emotiva Airmotiv 6s
- Adam Audio S2V vs Emotiva Airmotiv 6s
- Yamaha HS8 vs Emotiva Airmotiv 6s
- Kali Audio LP-6 V2 vs Emotiva Airmotiv 6s
- Kali Audio IN-8 V2 vs Emotiva Airmotiv 6s
Prices on this page were last checked October 7, 2026 at 9:25 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Speakers In Full
Kali Audio LP-8: $598 per pair Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the Kali Audio LP-8 V2, ranked higher, rated 4.1/5.
Same family: the Kali Audio LP-6 (smaller bookshelf, ranked higher, rated 4.3/5).
Pros: The original LP-8 offers a large woofer, a waveguide and placement switches for affordable nearfield monitoring.
Cons: First-generation amplifier noise can be distracting at a quiet desk. The large cabinets need substantial space, and placement switches do not replace full room correction. The response sounds a bit hooded. Discontinued.
Full Kali Audio LP-8 review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 100w Per Speaker |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| DSP | No |
| Dimensions | 16.5”H x 10”W x 11.3”D (419.1 x 254 x 287 mm) |
| Drivers | 8” woofer, 1” soft dome tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) |
| Frequency Response | 45Hz - 21kHz (+-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | TRS, XLR, RCA |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| TRS Input | Yes |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 19.8 lbs (9.0 kg) each |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- DSAUDIO.review: Tannoy Gold 8 vs Kali Audio LP-8 Sound & Frequency Response Comparison More from DSAUDIOreview →
- DSAUDIO.review: Focal Alpha 80 vs Kali Audio LP-8 Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: Yamaha HS8 vs Kali Audio LP-8 Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: Kali Audio LP-8 vs Presonus Eris E8 XT Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: Kali Audio LP-8 vs JBL 306P MKII Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- Audioholics Measurements (spinorama.org)
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Kali Audio LP-8 vs Adam Audio T7V
- Kali Audio LP-8 vs KRK Rokit 8 G4
- Kali Audio LP-8 vs Adam Audio T8V
- Kali Audio LP-8 vs KRK Rokit 7 G4
- Kali Audio LP-8 vs Presonus Eris Studio 8
- Kali Audio LP-8 vs Edifier S3000Pro
- Kali Audio LP-8 vs Edifier R2850DB
- Kali Audio LP-8 vs Focal Twin6 Be
- See all 45 comparisons
Emotiva Airmotiv 6s: $800 per pair Discontinued eBay
Pros: ASR measured 49.1Hz -3dB bass extension and a 5.75 ideal-subwoofer score. The review found useful output capability, making it a credible option for ordinary nearfield playback with additional bass support when needed. Measured bass extension of 49.1Hz (-3dB).
Cons: The 3.0dB response span from 300Hz to 5kHz includes lower-midrange unevenness that can change vocal weight. Treble peaks also prevent a fully neutral balance. Equalization may help, but the substantially higher EQ-optimized score is not its native performance. A suckout between 300 and 600Hz in the listening window is followed by a peak from 600Hz up. Discontinued.
Full Emotiva Airmotiv 6s review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 210W total (100W tweeter, 110W woofer) |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 37.6Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 49.1Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| DSP | No |
| Dimensions | 13.5” x 8.5” x 12.8” (343 x 216 x 324 mm) (H x W x D) |
| Drivers | 6.5” AirMotiv low-frequency transducer, 60x32mm AirMotiv tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (built-in presets) |
| Frequency Response | 42Hz - 25kHz (+0/-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | XLR, RCA |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 24.9 lbs (11.3 kg) each |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Emotiva Airmotiv 6s vs M-Audio BX8 D3
- Emotiva Airmotiv 6s vs Focal Alpha 65 EVO
- Emotiva Airmotiv 6s vs JBL 4329P
- Emotiva Airmotiv 6s vs JBL 306P MKII
- Emotiva Airmotiv 6s vs Klipsch The Nines
- Emotiva Airmotiv 6s vs Adam Audio T8V
- Emotiva Airmotiv 6s vs JBL 708P
- Emotiva Airmotiv 6s vs Adam Audio T7V
- See all 20 comparisons