Hello Members,
This is my first post and I thought I will provide my recent experience with Emotiva B1 and C1. These speakers are being used in a small 10X11 room with Denon 2500 AVR and 1080p projector. My rear speakers are "Monoprice Premium Immersive Satellite Speakers".
I started my journey 2 months ago and tested various speakers which include (1) Monolith AMT Bookshelf 5, Monolith Airmotion Cinema , (2) ELAC Debut 2 Front and Center, (3), Samsung soundbar 7.1.4 (ATMOS) (4) VIZIO ATMOS Soundbar (5) Klipsch Tower R28F and Center 25C (6) and Emotiva B1 and C1.
Let me start by saying, ATMOS soundbar, no matter how expensive they are, they are not worth it IMHO. I tried everything in my small room and they simply cannot provide the effect.
Monolith speakers have amazing built quality but they seem to lack bass and accurate high frequency, They were bland as if they don’t have life, I tried various combination, tweaking the frequencies, crossover etc etc and they simply didn’t come to life.
ELAC system was amazing from built quality to sound and they were aesthetically pleasing, and I had no reason to not keep them. My ear thanked me for testing ELAC after Monolith. They sounded 100 times better than monolith.
Klipsch were amazing just like ELAC but after watching a movie or two, I was fatigued, I tried turning down the treble from equalizer, but I was still bright. For people who like bright speaker, this may be ideal, but I was not willing to take that risk.
And then I connected Emotiva. The Jungle book movie came to life. Every small detail, every vocal and bass notes where being produced with Harmony. This was the first time I was hearing those speakers, it was a dream come true. To test them more, I connected B1 to my stereo system HK990 and BOY O BOY, they sounded amazing even without breaking them in. I don’t even think they require a break in period. Let me tell u, I shut down my Polk 12 inch subwoofer during music play on Hk990 and they did not disappoint. At a medium to high volume level, they were providing good base and my ears cannot even explain the sweetness and accuracy of high notes without fatiguing.
Coming back to my HT setup, for few days I was watching movies and thought something is missing. So I talked to Emotiva representative and explain what I was feeling. It was a moving air effect which I was not getting from center channel. When they have me connect the B1 in place of center, I immediately felt the difference. The difference between B1 and C1 was that B1 was ported and C1 was not and that explained the moving air effect during high explosion and car chase scenes. Regardless it was amazing and very clear vocals. I wanted to try C2 but they didn’t have it available at the time and they don’t know when it will be available next. Overall I am happy with my system, but if you read my review and considering buying B1 and C1, I would suggest wait for C2. I am out of my return period and did not want to leave my HT without center channel for a long time. It may be worth spending extra on C2 IMO.
Thanks for reading it.
Lalit
Thanks for the review. From time to time I see the C2 on the classified section. I have my B1 set on sale but I have high reservations of selling considering how cheap they are! I ended up replacing them because JBL had the 530 Studio set for half off that I couldn't pass up on. I need to find some excuse to keep them lol.
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I'd consider buying an additional pair of B1s and just using one as a center, esp. if you are able to stand it up aligned with the L/R B1s.The difference between B1 and C1 was that B1 was ported and C1 was not and that explained the moving air effect during high explosion and car chase scenes. Regardless it was amazing and very clear vocals.
call/email Emotiva to ask. Usually they get back in stock within a month or two tops.Anyone know if the C2 is coming back anytime soon??
I like what I read about the B1+ and I know I'd want that C2.
Can you post back when you get a response?I emailed them this morning, thanks. Anyone know how much required room is needed behind the C2? B1+?
It happened in early Jan as well, and then it was available in 2 days.Anyone know if the C2 is coming back anytime soon??
I like what I read about the B1+ and I know I'd want that C2.
I think generally just whatever the width of the port is, but most people set the crossover point for the CC anywhere between 80-100Hz, which sort of renders the port moot. I think if you're anywhere over 8 inches, you're probably fine.Anyone know how much required room is needed behind the C2? B1+?
I can let you know how it sounds when I get mine. I sit 8ft from my console, which is where the c2 is going. My gf is gonna be so upset she said “get whatever you want”.According to Emotiva...
"It will most likely be weeks on the C2+.
I would give the C2+ at least 1 foot off the back wall to let the rear ports have enough clearance for bass response."
I also asked if it made sense to use two B1+ as centers...
"You could use two B1s but the C2+ will have better mid bass and a more full sound."
Unfortunately for me I don't think I have the room of 2 feet as my tv is mount on a brick fireplace. From Tv to me is around 11 feet so I'd have 9 feet in between my ear and that C2 beast
Not sure what I'm going to do.
Are they going to notify you when it‘s in stock or do you have to keep checking back?According to Emotiva...
"It will most likely be weeks on the C2+.
I would give the C2+ at least 1 foot off the back wall to let the rear ports have enough clearance for bass response."
I also asked if it made sense to use two B1+ as centers...
"You could use two B1s but the C2+ will have better mid bass and a more full sound."
Unfortunately for me I don't think I have the room of 2 feet as my tv is mount on a brick fireplace. From Tv to me is around 11 feet so I'd have 9 feet in between my ear and that C2 beast
Not sure what I'm going to do.
The B1 produces so little mid-bass that you can have them as little as 3-6" from the rear wall without any problems, even if running full-range.I emailed them this morning, thanks. Anyone know how much required room is needed behind the C2? B1+?
