Short answer: the Polk Audio Reserve R700. It ranks #65 of 228 floorstanding speakers by sound quality (rated 4.3/5) at $2,398 and is still sold new; the Emotiva Airmotiv T2+ ranks #83 (rated 4.2/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used.
The Polk Audio Reserve R700 is the more accurate, deeper-bass option. Floorstanding speakers with accurate sound, genuinely deep bass, a wide enveloping stage and solid punch even at quiet volumes. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 6.38 against 5.56 for the Emotiva Airmotiv T2+. Its bass reaches about 40Hz before falling 3dB, against 62Hz for the Emotiva Airmotiv T2+. Watch for: Compression in the high frequencies rises sharply between 96dB and 102dB output: a real limitation only at very high volumes (around 100dB at 3 meters), but a clear step down from pricier ($5,000+) towers.
What the Emotiva Airmotiv T2+ does well: A high value tower with strong output, a folded ribbon tweeter and deep bass for the money, now discontinued but worth buying used. The tradeoff: The nominal 4-ohm system approaches 3 ohms near 100Hz in Erin’s measurement, so a high-current amplifier is preferable.
Buy the Polk Audio Reserve R700. It is rated higher for sound quality and still sold new, while the Emotiva Airmotiv T2+ is discontinued.
Still deciding? The full Passive Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Measured Differences
- Tonal accuracy above the bass: with a subwoofer taking the low end, the Polk Audio Reserve R700 scores 7.8 against 7.1 for the Emotiva Airmotiv T2+ on the Spinorama preference scale. Its frequency response and off-axis sound are smoother, so voices and instruments sound closer to the recording.
- Efficiency: the Emotiva Airmotiv T2+ is rated at 89.5 dB sensitivity against 87.5 dB for the Polk Audio Reserve R700, so it plays as loud with roughly two thirds of the amplifier power.
- Close enough not to matter: bass extension (31 Hz vs 32 Hz, 10 dB down).
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Specifications Side By Side
| Polk Audio Reserve R700 | Emotiva Airmotiv T2+ | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2,398 per pair | $999 per pair Discontinued |
| Ranked | #65 of 228 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers | #83 of 228 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 31Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 32Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 40Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 62Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal, 3.5 ohms minimum (measured above 80Hz, Erin’s Audio Corner) | Approximately 3 ohms minimum near 100Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 87.5dB (measured average 300Hz-3kHz @ 2.83V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) | Approximately 89.5dB/2.83V/1m (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | 2x 8” polypropylene cone woofers, 1x 6.5” turbine cone midrange, 1x 1” Pinnacle ring radiator tweeter | 32mm folded-ribbon tweeter; 5.25” midrange; dual 8” woofers |
| Weight | 102.1 lbs (46.3 kg) | 56.9 lbs (25.8 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, down-firing | ported, rear |
| Dimensions | 45”H x 12.6”W x 16.9”D (1143.8 x 320.7 x 428.3 mm) | 42.7”H x 12.2”W x 12.3”D |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 6.38 | 5.56 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.83 | 7.14 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
Where the Ratings Come From
- Polk Audio Reserve R700: Spinorama.org measurements and reviews by Erin’s Audio Corner.
- Emotiva Airmotiv T2+: Spinorama.org measurements and reviews by Erin’s Audio Corner.
This comparison is generated from the ratings, specifications and measurements on each product’s own page, and it updates when that data changes. How we rank explains how each rating is decided.
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