Short answer: the Polk T50, if you are buying new. The Emotiva Airmotiv T2+ ranks higher than it (#83 vs #152 of 226 floorstanding speakers, 4.2/5 vs 3.8/5) but is discontinued, so only consider it used; the Polk T50 is still sold new at $498.
The Polk T50 is the deeper-bass choice. Pretty deep bass for the price. Its bass reaches about 47Hz before falling 3dB, against 62Hz for the Emotiva Airmotiv T2+. Watch for: 5dB peak at 1kHz, 4dB bright top end from 11kHz on up.
The Emotiva Airmotiv T2+ is the more accurate option. High-value three-way tower with strong output and unusually deep usable sealed-room bass for the price. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 5.56 against 4.14 for the Polk T50. The catch: The nominal 4-ohm system approaches 3 ohms near 100Hz in Erin’s measurement, so a high-current amplifier is preferable.
Buy the Polk T50 if you want one new; the Emotiva Airmotiv T2+ is discontinued, so only look for it used.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Polk T50 | Emotiva Airmotiv T2+ | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $498 per pair | $999 per pair Discontinued |
| Ranked | #152 of 226 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers | #83 of 226 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 38Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 32Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 47Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 62Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (4.2 ohms minimum, measured by Audio Science Review) | Approximately 3 ohms minimum near 100Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | 2x 6.5” bi-laminate paper cone woofers, 1x 1” Terylene dome tweeter + 2x 8” passive bass radiators | 32mm folded-ribbon tweeter; 5.25” midrange; dual 8” woofers |
| Weight | 75.4 lbs (34.2 kg) | 56.9 lbs (25.8 kg) each |
| Sensitivity | 86.3dB (2.83V/1m, measured by Audio Science Review) | Approximately 89.5dB/2.83V/1m (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 40.4”H x 9.3”W x 12.5”D (1026.2 x 235.0 x 317.5 mm) | 42.7”H x 12.2”W x 12.3”D |
| Woofer Cabinet | passive radiator | ported, rear |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.14 | 5.56 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.15 | 7.14 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Emotiva Airmotiv T2+:
- Revel F226Be vs Emotiva Airmotiv T2+
- JBL HDI-3800 vs Emotiva Airmotiv T2+
- Focal Chora 816 vs Emotiva Airmotiv T2+
- Revel F208 vs Emotiva Airmotiv T2+
- Revel F228Be vs Emotiva Airmotiv T2+
Prices on this page were last checked October 9, 2026 at 8:01 AM 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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
The Two Speakers In Full
Polk T50: $498 per pair Amazon eBay
Same family: the Polk T15 (bookshelf, rated 1.9/5).
Pros: Pretty deep bass for the price. Distortion at 86dB SPL/1m is reasonably controlled outside a narrow spike around 250Hz. The reviewer notes performance is “not too bad for a budget speaker” once the two main tonal issues are addressed with EQ. Measured bass extension of 47Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 86.3dB.
Cons: 5dB peak at 1kHz, 4dB bright top end from 11kHz on up. Just okay vertical off axis. Impedance and phase show several resonances between 200Hz-1kHz, with a minimum impedance of 4.2 ohms. Distortion rises substantially at 96dB SPL/1m across the midrange, with repeated peaks between 100Hz-2kHz.
Full Polk T50 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 38Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 47Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 40.4”H x 9.3”W x 12.5”D (1026.2 x 235.0 x 317.5 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 6.5” bi-laminate paper cone woofers, 1x 1” Terylene dome tweeter + 2x 8” passive bass radiators |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (4.2 ohms minimum, measured by Audio Science Review) |
| Sensitivity | 86.3dB (2.83V/1m, measured by Audio Science Review) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.14 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.15 |
| Weight | 75.4 lbs (34.2 kg) |
| Woofer Cabinet | passive radiator |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Emotiva Airmotiv T2+: $999 per pair Discontinued Emotiva eBay
Newer model: the Emotiva Airmotiv XT2, ranked higher, estimated 4.2/5 (also discontinued).
Same family: the Emotiva Airmotiv B2+ (bookshelf, rated 3/5) and the Emotiva Airmotiv C2+ (center, rated 2.9/5).
Pros: High-value three-way tower with strong output and unusually deep usable sealed-room bass for the price. Erin measured F3 at 62Hz and F10 at 32Hz, with sensitivity just under 90dB/2.83V/1m. Dual 8-inch woven-fiber woofers relieve the 5.25-inch midrange, and the 32mm folded-ribbon tweeter provides broad horizontal coverage. Approximately +/-2.5dB response linearity, solid cabinet bracing and low compression allow substantial playback levels; the gradual low-frequency roll-off integrates well with either room gain or a subwoofer. Measured bass extension of 62Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 89.5dB.
Cons: The nominal 4-ohm system approaches 3 ohms near 100Hz in Erin’s measurement, so a high-current amplifier is preferable. Horizontal and especially vertical directivity through the midrange/tweeter transition is less uniform than the best waveguided or coaxial designs; listener height and nearby reflections matter, and EQ cannot correct the narrowing mismatch. The large rear-ported cabinet needs placement clearance, and its deep F10 should not be confused with flat 30Hz output at cinema levels. Discontinued.
Full Emotiva Airmotiv T2+ review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 32Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 62Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 42.7”H x 12.2”W x 12.3”D |
| Drivers | 32mm folded-ribbon tweeter; 5.25” midrange; dual 8” woofers |
| Impedance | Approximately 3 ohms minimum near 100Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | Approximately 89.5dB/2.83V/1m (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.56 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.14 |
| Weight | 56.9 lbs (25.8 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Emotiva Airmotiv T2+ vs ELAC Debut 3.0 DF63
- Emotiva Airmotiv T2+ vs Polk Reserve R500
- Emotiva Airmotiv T2+ vs Infinity Primus 360
- Emotiva Airmotiv T2+ vs PSB Imagine T65
- Emotiva Airmotiv T2+ vs Polk Audio Reserve R700
- Emotiva Airmotiv T2+ vs JBL HDI-3600
- Emotiva Airmotiv T2+ vs JBL Studio 698
- Emotiva Airmotiv T2+ vs Q Acoustics 5040
- See all 24 comparisons