Help, I can't decide between Airmotiv 6 and Stealth 6

[jcisbig]

Greetings,

I apologize in advance for anything that may seem like rambling and vascillating thoughts!

I've been wanting to buy some speakers for my office and I can't decide between the Stealth 6 and Airmotiv 6. I know that both are probably great speakers, but I've just heard such good things about the Stealth 6 that it's still in the running for me even though they are more pricey. However, if I'm going to go with the Stealth, I need some good solid reasons why I should spend the extra $300 over the Airmotiv 6.

I'm not going to be adding a subwoofer to the speakers, which is why I wanted a 6" speaker over the Airmotiv 4 or 5. The Stealth 8s are too expensive and too big, so that leaves either of the 6" options.

These speakers will be set-up near field and used 100% for FLAC music in JRiver from my laptop. For the time being, I'll be running the audio out my 3.5mm jack until I can save up more for a good DAC. I care most that whatever speakers I get will be an accurate representation of the source, play low enough for most music, and will be easy to listen to.

Any thoughts one way or the other? Like I said, the biggest hurdle for me is the extra $300 for the Stealth 6. Especially because it would be that much longer before I could add a good DAC to the system. But when all is said and done, I want to make the choice that I'll be most happy with over the long term. An extra $300 spent on the right thing now is better than having to sell and re-buy something else down the road. Of course that assumes that I wouldn't be happy with the Airmotiv 6.

[Perpendicular]

I have not heard the Airmotiv 6. That said, from what I've learned about both speakers, if sound quality and appearance are a priority, I'd stick with acquiring the Stealth 6.

[Axis]

When you say near field I have a feeling you are talking about those speakers being arm distance from you. If you are be prepared to not only hear these 6" speakers but feel them. Sometimes it can be a rush, sometimes it can be uncomfortable. I think the Airmotiv 5s should also be considered even without a subwoofer.

[PAC]

One way to think about it is that when Mr. Laufman showcases equipment, he uses the Stealths. (like at CES this week) I have a pair of AM6's, and they sound great, but many people say the Stealths have a bit of something extra. I heard the Stealths at Emofest. Whether they are better than the AM's for the price has been argued here before. I got the AM's as they were less expensive and were for a spare room - not main listening area. If you think that you may always wonder if the Stealths would have been a more appropriate purchase (saying that you got the AM's), just go ahead and get the Stealths right up front. Only you know how you're going to use them and your financial situation.

[jcisbig]

Axis,

Yes, the speakers would be on my desk in my office, a little more than arm's length away from me. Regarding the Airmotiv 5 speakers, my fear is that 50hz isn't quite low enough for my tastes. Running speakers without a subwoofer, it's important to me to have a decent amount of low end. My Tower speakers at home play down to the mid 30's and I find them satisfactory for a lot of the music I listen to, but of course there are other songs that I like having my subwoofer around to fill in where my towers leave off. The Airmotiv 6 and Stealth 6 aproach the extension of my towers (within a few hz), so that's kinda what I'm aiming for in a powered monitor.

[Perpendicular]

Jan 10, 2015 15:05:11 GMT -5 jcisbig said:

My Tower speakers at home play down to the mid 30's and I find them satisfactory for a lot of the music I listen to, but of course there are other songs that I like having my subwoofer around to fill in where my towers leave off. 

This is reason enough to spring for the Stealth model.

[knucklehead]

I found the AM6 to be lacking in bass punch. I tried them with and without a sub - in my living room they just didn't seem to have the bass I think I was supposed to get. And I'm in no way a bass-head - I strive for accurate bass from all sources. With a sub the AM6's sound excellent - but no better IMO than my L/R ERM-6.2 speakers. YMMV.

[creimes]

I own the Stealth 6 in my HT/2ch setup and the bass extension is surprising for the size of the speakers, I have never heard the Airmotiv line so I can not say which is better for the price tag, near field I'm not sure how you would get rocking bass without having the volume up higher though. Stealth DC-1 DAC and airmotiv 6s would be a nice combo or get the Stealth 6 now and save for the DAC.

[jcisbig]

That's a fair point that's being brought up about the listening level and the amount of bass produced. Most of the time I listen to music in my office it's on the quieter side of things. I'm definitely not approaching 90dB under normal circumstances! So with that in mind, does that affect any opinions?

[djreef]

I would think the music alone in close proximity argument would be enough to choose the Stealths. Seriously I own both and for the $ I'd take the Stealths over the AM for music any day. Movies? Maybe not so much.

DJ

[drtrey3]

I use a pair of little Airmotiv 4s at the office in a nearfield set up and I have been surprised and pleased with the bass these little speakers put out. The 6s would be even more impressive I am sure. Part of the question is priorities. I need music at work, but for me, it is really background music to keep me from getting bored while doing paperwork. I never serious listen at work, so for me, the 4s are perfect.

If it is important for you to really listen at work, that extra money would be well spent in getting better gear I think.

Let us know what you decide and how it works!

Trey

[mercury]

I had my first audio experience with Emotiva gears when I bought the Airmotiv 4 at the Boston Roadshow. I was surprised too with the bass it produced and the clarity
of the AMT drivers. I liked it so much that more Emotiva gears were aquired. Also bought Airmotiv 5 first gen and now waiting for my Airmotiv 6s out for delivery today.

I think whatever you decide on getting will be enough for the desk/office setup. Keep us posted!
Have a good day!

Tom

[pedrocols]

Are you talking about your office at home or work? If it is at work, how loud can you listen?

[jcisbig]

I'm talking about my office at work, and I can listen however loud I care to without disturbing anybody. Most of the time I'm listening to background music though as I work on things, not engaging in critical listening at reference levels. That being said, I would like the speaker to be able to play well at louder levels if I did want to just "enjoy" my music for a bit!

Honestly, some part of me feels like I could just save some money and get a pair of the 4s since most of my listening would fall within their capabilities. I would just be missing out on the bass and wouldn't have the right speaker for "critical listening" when I wanted to do that.

Hmm, still not sure what to do!

[creimes]

Myself I wouldn't bother with the Stealth 6 or maybe even the Airmotiv 6s as the Stealth 6 is quite large for a bookshelf size speaker, on a desk I would go Airmotiv 4s or even better the Airmotiv 5s, like I said my Stealth 6 are a decent size and meant more for the Studio or 2ch/HT setup, kinda big for on a desk

Hope that helps.

Chad

[vcautokid]

The Airmotiv 6 is a good speaker. The Stealth takes what is great about the Airmotiv, and puts in a heavier well damped, and reinforced cabinet. More refinements that make a Stealth, well, a Stealth. Can you be happy with the Airmotiv? You bet! The Stealth just increases that grin factor more. SQ, and more make the Stealth a speaker you have to hear. The. Airmotiv will still put others back on the trailer for less $$$$. But the Stealth is it. IMHO.

[Gary Cook]

For background music I have Airmotive 4's in my home office, seriously great near field speakers. I have tried Airmotive 6's and frankly they are simply too big and have too much impact for what is after all arm's length listening while I am doing something more important/urgent/complex. I would find them grossly distracting and far too easy in overpowering the main task at hand. Primary listening is of course an entirely different question.

The Stealths are what I consider primary listening monitors, they are designed and spec'd to be front and centre in the task at hand. Whether it be video or audio editing, mixing etc, they are there ready for that task. Sure they will do background music, but a serious overkill and a waste of money best spent on the main system/s.


Cheers
Gary

[jcisbig]

I hear what you guys are saying about the 4s being adequate for background listening. I'd say that that's what 80% of my use for them would be. The rest would be 15% critical listening and 5% using the speakers in conjunction with a temporary portable projector and gaming console or blu ray player setup when I do games or a movie at a friend's house. Obviously, having the Airmotiv 6 or Stealth 6 for these last two items would be much better than the Airmotiv 4s, but it only makes up 15% of my use for these speakers.

[Gary Cook]

Of course there's no bad choice here, they will all do the job way better than anything else even those costing many times more. Before I decided on the 4's I kicked it around for some time. But in the end the saving made by picking something that was a better fit for the task was enough to buy a new subwoofer amp, an XPA-100, for the main system.

Cheers
Gary

[jcisbig]

Thanks for your input Gary, you make a good point!