Short answer: the Emotiva Airmotiv 6s. It ranks #47 of 48 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality at $400; the Ocean Way Audio HR5 ranks #48 and costs $2799, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the Ocean Way Audio HR5 offers: Bass is clean and strong with plenty of power handling before any audible strain, and the reviewer confirmed the amplifier can drive it to high volume without distress. The tradeoff: CEA2034 spinorama shows roughly 10dB of unevenness between 8-13kHz and a trough near 200Hz, contradicting the manufacturer’s marketing claims of +/-1dB accuracy and 100-degree even horizontal directivity - the measured beamwidth narrows to well under 50 degrees above 4kHz.
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. Set against that: A suckout between 300-600Hz on the listening window is followed by a peak from 600Hz up.
Buy the Emotiva Airmotiv 6s. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Ocean Way Audio HR5 and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip both of these and look higher up the 48 powered bookshelf speakers instead.
Specifications Side By Side
| Ocean Way Audio HR5 | Emotiva Airmotiv 6s | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2799 | $400 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #48 of 48 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #47 of 48 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 80Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 72Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 60Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 55Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Drivers | 7" low-frequency driver, 1" high-frequency driver (horn/waveguide) | 6.5" AirMotiv low-frequency transducer, 60x32mm AirMotiv tweeter |
| Dimensions | 12H x 17.5W x 14.5D in | - |
| Weight | 37.9 lbs / 17.2 kg each | 24.9 lbs / 11.3 kg each |
| Frequency Response | 45Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 42Hz - 25kHz (+0/-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Output Power | 215W total (125W LF, 90W HF) | 210W total (100W tweeter, 110W woofer) |
| App | No | No |
| EQ | No | Yes (built-in presets) |
| DSP | No | No |
| Discontinued | - | Yes |
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- JBL 4305P vs Klipsch The Sevens
- Focal Twin6 Be vs Klipsch The Sevens
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- Focal Twin6 Be vs Emotiva Airmotiv 6s
The Two Speakers In Full
Ocean Way Audio HR5: $2799 Sweetwater
Pros: Bass is clean and strong with plenty of power handling before any audible strain, and the reviewer confirmed the amplifier can drive it to high volume without distress. Both digital and analog inputs are built in.
Cons: CEA2034 spinorama shows roughly 10dB of unevenness between 8-13kHz and a trough near 200Hz, contradicting the manufacturer’s marketing claims of +/-1dB accuracy and 100-degree even horizontal directivity - the measured beamwidth narrows to well under 50 degrees above 4kHz. EQ made almost no meaningful improvement after an hour of attempts, unusual for a speaker with this many measured errors. The reviewer called the sound “harsh” and “unrefined,” writing “I can’t recommend the Ocean Way HR5” and suggesting buyers choose companies like Genelec that publish real measurements instead of relying on a designer’s reputation.
Full Ocean Way Audio HR5 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 60Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 80Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| DSP | No |
| Dimensions | 12H x 17.5W x 14.5D in |
| Drivers | 7" low-frequency driver, 1" high-frequency driver (horn/waveguide) |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 45Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Output Power | 215W total (125W LF, 90W HF) |
| Weight | 37.9 lbs / 17.2 kg each |
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- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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
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- Emotiva Airmotiv 6s vs Genelec 8341A
- Emotiva Airmotiv 6s vs JBL 306P MKII
- Emotiva Airmotiv 6s vs Focal Twin6 Be
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