Emotiva T3+ VS T2+ / Is Less More Or is More MORE?

[@mr.b4444]

Good honest review. I've owned the T2+ for a couple of years now and use them for music only. I listen to mostly acoustic jazz and classical. For those genres the T2+ sounds pretty good overall. I run it with an Outlaw Audio 2160 MkII and Cambridge 851N with FLAC files, and a Rotel Tribute CD player. My original plan was to purchase Magnepan LRS but the waiting list was too long. Years ago I owned a pair of ESS AMT 1B and those were the best speakers I've heard for jazz at the time (lost them in a divorce). I prefer my highs to be a little pronounced with a lot of detail with a smooth mid-range, I don't need bass to rock the house. I purchased the T2+ because I thought it could achieve a similar sound especially with that folded (Heil) driver, but it doesn't sound like the ESS; it's not dipole. Initially I thought that the T2+ sounded just ok for that but it didn't blow me away. I though about returning them but it would have cost too much to ship them back. The details in the sound has rolled off a bit too. I'm not completely happy with them so now I feel stuck with them. Also I have to say that I really don't care for the Darth Vader look either. For my budget it more or less fit the bill but I should have waited for the LRS+ which I will be purchasing soon.

[@blaze2051]

great and honest review thank you for sharing your experience i been looking for a 3 way tower for dual duty music and movies and this review helps me with the pros and cons, keep it up bud

[@final3119]

My home theater is a 7.x.4 all Emotiva. My LR is T3+ The rest of my bedlayer are T2+ lol. It’s so freakin overkill and I love the stealth bomber looks. My height channels are all wall mounted B2+. C3+ center channel. I picked them all up on sale/open-box/refurb.

[@Andreas-p4r]

T3+ is the Best

[@jcbaja404]

Great Video I am looking into a full Home theater from Emotiva.

[@tonymolina7744]

The dad joke alert … that was incredible - maybe a new part of the routine? My living room has no space for anything but bookshelves. Interesting though on return on investment between them. Because of space considerations I need to go hybrid listening so need more of an all purpose setup. Brilliant review my friend, thank you.

[@MattCoykendall1]

Glad you liked it 😂 The good news is there is quite a bit you can do with a hybrid set up these days .

[@tonymolina7744]

@@MattCoykendall1 oh I agree. I have elac ub5 as mains, klipsch center and sub, and monoprice surrounds. Not the cleanest setup but I enjoy music and movies. I’ll upgrade my surrounds as needed at a later date, seems like the emotiva A12 are highly thought of. Again, great job!

[@scottlowell493]

I can believe the smaller tower sounds better for music. Budget towers tend to compromise more the bigger they get. They either cut corners, or they change the balance to compensate for larger woofers. I see this with many brands.

[@Roddy451]

I've owned the T2+ for about two months now. I paired them with an Airmotiv Xs-15 and, for now, the TA2 integrated amplifier. Eventually, I will transition to a home theater for the family. After your feedback, I believe I chose wisely, and I have been considering buying a second pair for the stereo system downstairs. I feel that the T2+s are quite flat, even a slightly forward tweeter that strikes a good balance of detail without bleeding your ears. I will try the T2+s with a Rotel amplifier this coming weekend. I subscribed as I am curious about the direction you are taking.

[@MattCoykendall1]

Glad it’s working well for you, T2+ fits a lot of roles.

[@jcbaja404]

Hi I am curious about your experience with the xs15?

[@Roddy451]

@@jcbaja404 It is a good subwoofer. It has taken me quite a while to dial it up with my Emotiva combination. It is a work in progress. With movies, it does better than with music, IMHO. Then again, movies are easier. I have a medium-sized semi-open area. I was "forced" to place it on a corner, which subwoofers do not like, especially a rear-ported one like this one. This thing is big and heavy. However, what you get for the price is a great value. Later today, I am going to "test" it with a specific song from Rush: Xanadu. The purpose? Find out how good it is with an ever-changing pitch. Before I forget, I am using the BasX TA 2 bass management, and approximately the cut point is set at 60 Hz. I am in the process of getting some acoustic treatment for the corner behind the sub.

[@4thewinir344]

Great video Matt. Your production value and camera work is looking better with every video! I appreciate your style of showing the speakers heavily while you review. Regarding the T2s, is the vinyl wrap the typical mid-quality variety (say Elac Debut series) or a higher quality (wrap that can take a few scuffs or bumps on the corner without showing the MDF)? I know it’s a tough question without potentially damaging a speaker, but maybe someone out there has had the b1 or b2+ for a few years and can comment? For reference IMO, the Dayton B652 is worst, Elac Debuts are what I would consider a notch better but still bad. Klipsch RP series seems to be a notch better yet.

[@MattCoykendall1]

I have had the b1+ for a couple years, I would say the vinyl wrap has held up really well, certainly more so than some of the real budget ones where you start to have the msg showing in the corners.

[@4thewinir344]

@@MattCoykendall1 Sounds like they are at a higher level so that is a win. It would be interesting to see Emotiva incorporate a darker wood veneer with the modern geometrical design. Thanks for the info!

[@biga8230]

Emotiva xt3 vs Polk Audio R700? Mostly for music. Just a 2ch setup. Maybe some subs later.

[@rehn1kri]

Well done, Matt. Thanks!

[@MattCoykendall1]

Appreciate the watch!

[@hondaphan4172]

The T2+ had been available for quite awhile at the crazy $699/pair close-out price but the last couple of days it's been listed as unavailable. I thought long and hard about getting them a month ago but I decided to get the B2+ instead for my HT rig. Maybe somewhere down the line I'll buy a used pair but I can't say I regret going with the B2+ for my needs. At their close-out prices both are extremely hard to beat for the money.

[@MattCoykendall1]

I liked the b2+ too, I had that one in for review for quite a while. I don’t believe the t2+ is gone just yet I believe just out of stock at the moment, great price on those.

[@jurynalivaiko4718]

hey! Hope u well..There was a question about dynamics in comment section..i guess i will extend the question a bit...U mentioned that adding a sub dissolves the gap between those two towers...However, i am interested in where this gap still exist? Is that in the midrange where two mids cant compare with one on T2+ since the sub does not cover that frequency range? Or is that gap is in wide frequency range of 8 inch drivers which gives you that feel of more complete sound (Since T3+ has more of them) ? I mean from where this perception of a "bit better" comes from regarding T3+? and I mean that with added subwoofer/s. And the last one, I guess you did "stress" test them...crack them up in a simple way of saying. Which ones are more true to life to listen to with added sub if you really want to feel the music...?

[@Casey.S.]

Nice review 👌 thanks for sharing

[@MattCoykendall1]

No problem 👍

[@rosswarren436]

How about comparisons in dynamics? Does the smaller T2+ scale well in giving you a large sound with punch nearly as good as the larger T3+? I mean, especially if you add a sub to them? Thanks! Nice review and comparisons. Saving a $1000 and using part of that toward a sub might be the ticket.

[@MattCoykendall1]

It does scale well, not to the extent of the T3+ if it’s a straight up comparison but a sub quickly dissolves that gap.

[@HeyYall398]

Nice video brother. Well, butter my butt and call me a biscuit, ain't that the question of the day! Now, listen here, y'all, 'cause I'm 'bout to spill the sweet tea. Some folks got their priorities mixed up like a salad at a church potluck when it comes to spendin' their hard-earned cash. They go runnin' after them tower speakers, big 'n' tall as a Georgia pine, thinkin' bigger's gotta be better, like a gator in a swimmin' hole. But let's sit a spell and ponder this: Why in tarnation would ya throw your dollars, meant for kin and kith, into somethin' as big as a horse but might not do ya one lick better than somethin' small as a squirrel but twice as feisty? Yes sirree, I'm talkin' 'bout them modest-like bookshelf speakers paired up with a subwoofer that'll kick harder than a mule with an itch. Now, don't get it twisted, I ain't sayin' them tower speakers ain't worth a dime, but for folks sweatin' like a sinner in church over keepin' a roof over the family's head and food on the table, it just don't make a lick of sense to be splurgin' like you've struck gold. Them bookshelf speakers with a good ol' subwoofer will have your toes tappin' and your heart singin' just the same, all while keepin' your wallet as fat as a tick on a hound dog. So, before y'all go throwin' money at them towers, remember: it ain't the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog. And them smaller setups can bark just as loud and clear, all while leavin' you some greenbacks for takin' care of your own. Y'all be wise now, ya hear? 🤠

[@docwells7]

While I agree with your premise, and find your post to be hilarious, I was able to pick up the T2+ towers on sale and with a 10% discount for just over $600 delivered to my door. I can't think of a lot of bookshelf speakers with a quality sub that would be significantly less costly. I'm weird, so I love the look of the T2+, and find that they have plenty of bass when considering my listening tastes. Thanks for the laugh!

[@chrome2infinity938]

A sub even woth 3x 8 inch woofers? Wow find that difficult to believe.....

[@JayPatrol]

Heco 1000 and 700

[@ryanlee6157]

Nice!

[@MattCoykendall1]

Thanks sir!

[@jimfarrell4635]

I enjoyed the video, but outside of a teenagers room or a man cave, I cant see these fitting into any kind of decor. I know my wife, tolerant though she is, would have a meltdown if these appeared in the house. Generally, my feeling is that sound quality trumps looks, but there is something, erm, sinister about these.

[@razhua]

I'm afraid the emotiva T2 has been out of stock for a long time

[@MattCoykendall1]

Yes, I am curious what model is on the way.

[@razhua]

im waiting to pull the trigger on something like the T2 Just got the onkyoRZ 50 so I need better speakers @@MattCoykendall1

[@hondaphan4172]

@@MattCoykendall1 Their new speaker line was revealed several days ago in a podcast. The towers are now named XT1, XT2, and XT3 and there's only one bookshelf speaker which is named XB2. The center channel speakers are now named XC1, XC2 & XC3 and they're also designed to be used in an LCR array if you choose to go in that direction. The price for the XB2 is $499/pair and the price for the XT1 is $999/pair. The XT1 has three 5.25" woofers, the XT2 has three 6.5" woofers, and the XT3 has three 8" woofers. The price for the XT2 wasn't given but I assume it's gonna be in the $1399 range. The new line has a cleaner, more European style but no finish options were mentioned so black remains to be the only choice. I'm anxious to hear reviews on the new towers because I'm hoping the XT1's or preferably the XT2's will be my endgame speakers.

[@simonnaquin1252]

WHY YOU WANT A 2 CH FOR MUSIC?????...WHEN YOU CAN HAV 7.4 CH FOR MUSIC

[@MattCoykendall1]

Hey Simon, for myself I think it depends on the space you’re working with, many just favor the classic 2 channel configuration too. We should really just appreciate how many options we have these days…

[@simonnaquin1252]

@@MattCoykendall1 THX FOR UR COMMENT..I DO APPRECIATE WHAT PEOPLE HAVE...I HAVE A 7.6 SET UP...I JUST NEED A GREAT RECEIVER...