Short answer: the SVS Prime Bookshelf. It ranks #150 of 222 bookshelf speakers by sound quality (rated 3.5/5) at $599 and is still sold new; the Emotiva Airmotiv B2+ ranks #185 (rated 3.0/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used. The Emotiva Airmotiv B2+’s replacement, the Emotiva Airmotiv XB2, is rated 4.2/5 at $549.
The SVS Prime Bookshelf is the better-sounding option. Affordable bookshelf speakers with a sealed woofer compartment, wide even dispersion and reasonable sensitivity. The tradeoff: A scooped mid-range paired with a boosted upper mid-range creates an audibly uneven tonal balance, and there’s an additional dip in the treble around 4-5kHz that reads as slightly tinny relative to the recessed mid-range.
The case for the Emotiva Airmotiv B2+: A discontinued bookshelf speaker with a folded ribbon tweeter, punchy midbass and a 6.5 inch woofer with good output. The tradeoff: The replacement B2+ did not deliver the neutral upgrade Erin expected.
Buy the SVS Prime Bookshelf. It is rated higher for sound quality; the Emotiva Airmotiv B2+ is no longer sold new.
Still deciding? The full Passive Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Measured Differences
- Close enough not to matter: bass extension (49 Hz vs 43 Hz, 10 dB down); preference score with a subwoofer (7.8 vs 8.0).
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Specifications Side By Side
| SVS Prime Bookshelf | Emotiva Airmotiv B2+ | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $599.00 per pair | $449 per pair Discontinued |
| Ranked | #150 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #185 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Drivers | 6.5” polypropylene cone woofer with aluminum shorting ring (sealed sub-compartment), 1” aluminum dome tweeter | 6.5” woven-fiber woofer, 32 x 25mm folded-ribbon tweeter |
| Weight | 15.5 lbs (7.03 kg) each | 15.7 lbs (7.1 kg) each |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal, 3.9 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 4 ohms nominal (manufacturer specified) |
| Sensitivity | 87dB (measured average, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 86dB (measured average, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 72Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 66Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 49Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 43Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Frequency Response | 48Hz - 25kHz ±3dB (manufacturer specified) | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.17 | 5.60 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.78 | 7.96 |
| Dimensions | 13.2”H x 8”W x 10.2”D (335.3 x 203.2 x 259.1 mm) | 12.8”H x 8.5”W x 11.5”D (324 x 216 x 293 mm) |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Woofer Cabinet | - | ported, rear |
Where the Ratings Come From
- SVS Prime Bookshelf: Spinorama.org measurements and reviews by Erin’s Audio Corner.
- Emotiva Airmotiv B2+: 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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