Bookshelf Speakers — Emotiva Airmotiv XB2

The Airmotiv XB2 is a stand-mount speaker made by Emotiva with a two-way passive layout and the only bookshelf model in the Airmotiv X series, a lineup that also includes the XT1, XT2 and XT3 towers, the XC1, XC2 and XC3 centre speakers and the XA2 surround and height model. It is intended for shelf or stand mounting, and Emotiva sells it as a pair at USD 549.

Key specs that matter

A 25 x 32 mm folded ribbon unit driven by neodymium magnets handles the treble. The 6 inch woofer has a woven cone, an aluminium voice coil, a long-throw motor, a progressive spider, a copper shorting ring and an NBR surround. The crossover point between the two drivers lies at 2.6 kHz. Emotiva quotes a response of 48 Hz to 27 kHz within plus or minus 3 dB and an efficiency of 86 dB at 2.83 V and 1 m. Power handling is 125 W continuous and 200 W peak, and the maker recommends 50 W or more of amplification. Nominal impedance is 4 ohms, with the note that the speaker is safe with 8 ohm rated amplifiers. Each speaker measures 325 mm high, 216 mm wide and 292 mm deep, weighing about 8.2 kg.

Engineering and use context

HDF is the material of the enclosure, with a painted 25 mm front baffle and a PVC laminated body. Inside, window bracing and extensive damping are used, and the cabinet is tuned by a rear port. The front panel carries a satin lacquer finish, and a black cloth grille on a rigid frame attaches magnetically. The tweeter and its waveguide turn as one assembly, meaning the cabinet can stand either vertically or horizontally while keeping the ribbon correctly oriented. Emotiva states that the low-frequency extension allows use in smaller rooms without a subwoofer, and also positions the XB2 as a bed-layer surround speaker for home theatre layouts with height channels. Dual 5-way terminals give separate access to the woofer and the tweeter sections. The boxed pair measures about 610 x 457 x 406 mm and weighs about 17.7 kg, and the speaker is covered by a five-year transferable factory warranty.

Pairing

Through the paired terminals the owner can run two cable sets for bi-wiring, or use bi-amping so that one amplifier channel drives the woofer and another the ribbon. Because the rotating tweeter permits horizontal placement, Emotiva notes that the XB2 can also be used in surround positions of a multichannel system, where the same amplifier power recommendation applies. The low nominal impedance means the receiver or amplifier should be specified for such loads or covered by the maker's safety note.

Alternatives

The Emotiva Airmotiv B1+ is a bookshelf model from the earlier Airmotiv line.