Schiit Audio and Emotiva held a Hi-FI show in Austin last weekend with the blistering Texas sun melting the pavement outside in the parking lot. The rather uncomfortable weather proved to be a boon for the manufacturers who clearly understand that consumers want components and loudspeakers that they can actually afford. What a concept.
Music listeners came to experience the new Emotiva Airmotiv T3+, C3+, and XS Series Subwoofers and left the show feeling that both brands are speaking to them right now with inflation making everything that much more expensive.
The size of the crowd would suggest that show organizers in other cities are clearly missing the boat when it comes to a focus on affordable systems as a draw for attendees.
A Texas flood of audio heaven for less than the price of some high-end power cables?
The new Emotiva Airmotiv T3+, Airmotiv C3+ center channel loudspeaker, and forthcoming XS Series Subwoofers were on display along with the new Schiit Audio Bifrost 2/64 DAC and Lyr+ headphone amplifier.
Emotiva T3+ Floorstanding Speaker
Building on the foundation of their T2 and T1 floorstanding speakers, the Airmotiv T3+ ($1,899/pair) incorporates the same ribbon tweeters. The T3+ also provides additional support with two midrange drivers and three low-frequency drivers (6 drivers total) to deliver a balanced full-range frequency response for any setup.
- Driver Construction: The midrange and low-frequency drivers feature Advanced Woven Fiber Construction.
- Frequency Response: 28Hz to 28kHz (+/- 3dB)
- Efficiency: 94dB
Note: Exact availability date has not been announced but the product projected is expected to be $1,699 a pair through Emotiva.
Emotiva C3+ Center Channel
For home theater setups, you need a good center channel and the Emotiva Airmotiv C3+ ($899 each) is designed to deliver the goods. this is not your ordinary center channel, its large size (as wide as a floor stander is tall) the C3+ incorporates 7 drivers (including Emotiva’s Airmotiv ribbon tweeter).
Tip: The C3+ can be placed horizontally in a traditional center channel configuration or placed/mounted vertically if so desired.
- Driver Construction: The midrange and low-frequency drivers feature Advanced Woven Fiber Construction.
- Speaker Connections: Gold-plated Bi-amp capable speaker terminals.
- Frequency response: 40 Hz – 28 kHz (+/-3 dB).
- Efficiency: 96 dB.
Emotiva XS Subwoofers
Along with the Airmotive T3+ and C3+ speakers, Emotiva has announced a new line of Subwoofers designated as the XS Series.
All XS Subs incorporate the following features:
- High current toroidal power supply
- Input/output connections allow easy integration with home theater and hi-fi systems.
- Complete 2.1 channel line level bass management capabilities with RCA outputs
- Advanced multi-stage limiter
- Forward firing passive radiator
| Sub Model | Driver Size (Inches) | Power Output (Watts/RMS) | Frequency Response (+/- 3dB) | Price |
| XS8 | 8 | 250 | 40-150Hz | $399 |
| XS10 | 10 | 350 | 35-150Hz | $599 |
| XS12 | 12 | 500 | 30-150Hz | $899 |
| XS15 | 15 | 750 | 25-150Hz | $1099 |
Tip: Availability is expected by the end of August 2022.
More From Emotiva
In addition to the speakers and subwoofers announce above, Emotiva is also introducing a new passive bookshelf speaker, the A2+ ($399 for a pair). This speaker features an Air Motiv Ribbon tweeter and a larger woofer than their current B1+ bookshelf speaker ($379/pair).
The remaining new Emotiva entry is the Vaulta ALT 6.5 outdoor speaker for $499/pair.
Fred
August 6, 2022 at 6:39 pm
In the “more from Emotiva” section, it’s the B2+ you are talking about, not the A2+. The A2+ is the new larger height/surround/ceiling speaker that’s bigger than the A1.
Fred
August 6, 2022 at 6:41 pm
Emotiva’s site shows the C3+ at 92 dB not sensitivity, not 96. I wonder which is correct?