Klipsch The Nines vs Emotiva Airmotiv 6s

Short answer: the Klipsch The Nines, because the Emotiva’s 300-600Hz suck-out sits in the vocal range. The Airmotiv 6s at $800 against $999.99 shows lots of bass energy below 300Hz and plays louder than a JBL 305P MKII, but a suckout between 300-600Hz on the listening window is followed by a peak from 600Hz up. The Nines are Erin’s favorite Klipsch speaker he has heard, needing only a -2dB tweeter trim.

Buy the Klipsch The Nines. It is rated higher for sound quality; the Emotiva Airmotiv 6s is no longer sold new.

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Specifications Side By Side

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The Two Speakers In Full

Klipsch The Nines: $999.99 per pair Crutchfield eBay

Pros: The 1.7dB response span from 300Hz to 5kHz supports even mids, and measured -3dB extension is 42.5Hz. Extensive consumer connections and app adjustment make it convenient for TV and music, while the horn provides a focused listening presentation. Erin called it his favorite Klipsch speaker. Measured bass extension of 42.5Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 82.5dB.

Cons: The 6.90 ideal-subwoofer score reflects limitations beyond the narrow midband span. Horizontal coverage is relatively focused, so placement matters for multiple seats. The reviewer preferred reduced treble, and bass limiting at higher playback levels means the large woofer is not a guarantee of unlimited output. The app’s flat setting leaves treble elevated; Erin preferred a -2dB tweeter trim.

Full Klipsch The Nines review and specifications →

AES Input	No
Amplifier Power	240W total (480W peak; 100W LF + 20W HF per powered speaker)
App	Klipsch Connect (bass/mid/treble EQ)
Aux Input	Yes
Bass Extension (-10dB)	31Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner)
Bass Extension (-3dB)	42.5Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner)
Bluetooth	Yes, 5.0
Bluetooth Codecs	SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD
Coaxial Input	No
Dimensions	19.13”H x 9.5”W x 13.38”D
Drivers	8” high-excursion fiber-composite woofer, 1” titanium LTS vented tweeter with Tractrix horn
Frequency Response	34Hz - 25kHz +/-3dB (manufacturer specified)
HDMI Input	Yes
Inputs	HDMI ARC, Bluetooth 5.0, phono/line RCA, 3.5mm, USB, optical
Maximum SPL	115dB at 1m (stereo pair, manufacturer specified)
Optical Input	Yes
Outputs	Subwoofer
RCA Input	Yes
Sensitivity	82.5dB (measured at 0.30V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner)
Spinorama Preference Score	5.32
Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub	6.90
Subwoofer Output	Yes
TRS Input	No
USB Input	Yes
Weight	28.4 lbs (12.9 kg) primary, 26.9 lbs (12.2 kg) secondary
Woofer Cabinet	rear-ported bass reflex
XLR Input	No

• Links
  • Official Klipsch The Nines Product Page
• Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
  • Erin’s Audio Corner: Klipsch The Nines Really Impressed Me. More from Erin’s Audio Corner →
  • Erin’s Audio Corner Website: Klipsch The Nines
  • Erin’s Audio Corner Measurements (spinorama.org)
• Head-to-Head Comparisons
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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
  • Audio Science Review Measurements More from Audio Science Review →
  • Audio Science Review Measurements (spinorama.org)
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