Short answer: the Polk R200 for better sound quality, the Emotiva Airmotiv B2+ for the lower price. The Polk R200 ranks #69 of 100 bookshelf speakers at $799. The Emotiva Airmotiv B2+ ranks #72 at $449, $350 cheaper.
What the Polk R200 offers: Two-way design with a 6.5” midwoofer and 1” ring radiator tweeter, giving reasonably tight, well-defined imaging. Watch for: A resonance and associated distortion increase around 800Hz-1kHz creates a “tinny,” occasionally glaring quality on certain instruments and vocals.
What the Emotiva Airmotiv B2+ gets right: Erin measured a useful 86dB average sensitivity and strong midbass punch around 120Hz. The catch: The replacement B2+ did not deliver the neutral upgrade Erin expected.
Buy the Polk R200 if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Emotiva Airmotiv B2+ if the price matters more than sound quality.
Specifications Side By Side
| Polk R200 | Emotiva Airmotiv B2+ | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $799.00 | $449.00 |
| Ranked | #69 of 100 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #72 of 100 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 50Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 43Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 74Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 66Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal, 3.8 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 4 ohms nominal (manufacturer specified) |
| Sensitivity | 85dB | 86dB (measured average, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | 25mm soft dome + 165mm woofer | 6.5" woven-fiber woofer, 32 x 25mm folded-ribbon tweeter |
| Weight | 31.3 lbs / 14.2 kg | - |
| Dimensions | 14.1"H x 7.5"W x 13.9"D (359.0 x 190.0 x 353.8 mm) | - |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | ported, rear |
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The Two Speakers In Full
Polk R200: $799.00 Amazon
Pros: Two-way design with a 6.5” midwoofer and 1” ring radiator tweeter, giving reasonably tight, well-defined imaging. Neutral through most of the midrange (roughly 200Hz-1kHz). On-axis response holds within about 1.5dB up to 10kHz. About 20dB of usable dynamic range (76dB to 96dB) before more significant compression sets in. Reasonably close to a 4-ohm nominal load, giving some flexibility with amplifier choice, though a dedicated 4-ohm-capable amp is still recommended.
Cons: A resonance and associated distortion increase around 800Hz-1kHz creates a “tinny,” occasionally glaring quality on certain instruments and vocals, confirmed both by ear and in the frequency-response and distortion measurements. Above about 10kHz, the ring-radiator tweeter takes on an artificial, “digital-esque” quality, then falls off quickly above 16kHz. F3 of 74Hz and F10 of 50Hz mean there’s essentially no meaningful bass “thump” below about 60Hz - a subwoofer is strongly recommended even just to restore basic kick-drum presence. The ring radiator tweeter’s dispersion narrows sharply above about 8kHz, so the speaker should be aimed close to on-axis (no more than 5-10° of toe-out). Vertical listening position is fairly critical - moving more than a few degrees above or below the tweeter line causes a noticeable timbre shift due to a gap in the crossover region. Multitone distortion spikes substantially (to around 10%) in the 600Hz-1kHz region at higher output levels (around 96dB/1m), meaning the glare gets worse the louder it’s played. At the highest tested output (102dB, 26dB of dynamic range), the woofer shows clear signs of struggling; crossing to a subwoofer around 80-100Hz helps prevent bottoming out but doesn’t fully eliminate the compression.
Full Polk R200 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 50Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 74Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 14.1"H x 7.5"W x 13.9"D (359.0 x 190.0 x 353.8 mm) |
| Drivers | 25mm soft dome + 165mm woofer |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal, 3.8 ohms minimum (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 85dB |
| Weight | 31.3 lbs / 14.2 kg |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
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Emotiva Airmotiv B2+: $449.00
Pros: Erin measured a useful 86dB average sensitivity and strong midbass punch around 120Hz. The folded-ribbon tweeter provides very broad upper-treble radiation, and the speaker can create a spacious presentation when positioned carefully. Response and directivity remain reasonably orderly below the roughly 2kHz crossover region. The 6.5-inch woofer offers more output capability than compact 5-inch competitors, while F3/F10 of 66/43Hz leave adequate overlap for a conventional 80Hz subwoofer crossover. Horizontal directivity data makes the broad baffle-step trend amenable to partial EQ below the crossover.
Cons: The replacement B2+ did not deliver the neutral upgrade Erin expected. A baffle-step loss around 500Hz depresses the lower midrange while the AMT’s much wider radiation above crossover injects excess room energy, yielding a bright, forward balance and false impression of cymbal detail. The directivity discontinuity near 2kHz cannot be completely equalized. Erin measured F3 at 66Hz and F10 at 43Hz, so meaningful kick-drum fundamentals and low bass still need a subwoofer. Vertical listening tolerance is roughly +/-10 degrees, with best results between the top of the woofer and tweeter axes. Broad lateral treble energy may require careful toe-out and sidewall absorption. Despite a large cabinet, it offers limited deep-bass advantage and was not Erin’s hoped-for successor to the more linear B1+.
Full Emotiva Airmotiv B2+ review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 43Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 66Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | 6.5" woven-fiber woofer, 32 x 25mm folded-ribbon tweeter |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (manufacturer specified) |
| Sensitivity | 86dB (measured average, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
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