EMOTIVA Thread Q&A [TECHNICAL TALK ONLY] - Page 518

XPA-5? Only $100 extra/channel... Even the LCR might benefit of the larger (shared) power supply.

When the emotiva sale is going on (xpa5 for 779) that is by far the best value. But it still might be the best value for 899

Thanks, Markus. Are you saying the best position for the center is freestanding on the top of the cabinet?

Though I could make room for it there by getting a monitor stand or mount, the monitor stands I've seen are nearly the cost of the AVR (!)
I was thinking instead of placing the monitor on a sturdy shelf that would sit on the cabinet top, and which would itself partially enclose the center speaker
(similar to how, in the above photo, I have an OPPO player enclosed beneath a shelf on which sits the Marantz).

I notice alot of higher end AV cabinets do enclose the center speaker on a shelf ~ are these inherently problematic with resonances, etc.?

For HT, an AVR should be able to handle the surround channels with little difficulty.
If you are doing full range surround music, I would start with a good 5ch amp.
All depends on the budget.

Thanks for the input.

The distance between speaker and front wall will always be a problem, regardless of corner or wall placement. Please see http://www.genelec.com/learning-center/presentations-tutorials/placingloudspeakers/freestanding/

Corner placement has an advantage when it comes to delaying side wall reflections.

Yes, that would be better.

All those solutions are acoustically problematic. The best approach is an acoustically transparent projection screen with the center placed behind it.

Unfortunately the TV itself is acoustically problematic too. One solution would be to make the TV screen part of the center speaker baffle. Unfortunately no manufacturer offers such a product. You would need to DIY.
Edited by markus767 - 1/28/13 at 1:28pm

I'm sure that is true. But when the speakers are placed almost against the sidewalls as theSeaHawks are I can't see how the sidewall reflection issue would be improved any. I could see if the speakers were 12" or more of the wall but being that close I would think the side wall reflections would be pretty bad.

Bill

Would this explain the popularity of dipole speakers for home use (vs near field use in studios) that take this into account in their designs?
(easier to get good sound in a typical home)

and for HT use, is this really a concern since we tend to cross over to the sub between 80-120 anyway?

I see being more of an issue in 2ch full range, no?

I don't think dipole speakers can be said to be popular. Also, they really need to be placed away from the wall farther than typical speakers and many with them do not provide them with enough space behind them severely hampering their performance.

Primary reason for myself choosing a 5-channel amp. I have a few DTS HD MA 7.1 24/96 audio discs and several DVD Audio in 5.1. Sure makes a difference vs just the receiver BUT you also have to have equal, or at least close, power handling for the speakers as well. Having a decent front three and using Blose for the surrounds ain't gonna cut it.

It depends on the room and it depends on the radiation pattern of the speaker. Most loudspeakers are omnidirectional at the low end and become more directional at higher frequencies. At higher frequencies we we can use simple raytracing to get an idea how sound is reflected from walls. At lower frequencies things become more complicated if we want to understand what is going on - sound is pressure waves travelling through air.

I believe that dipoles are preferred by some because they create strong first reflections that can add spaciousness which in turn adds realism. Of course there are also disadvantages of that approach.

At lower frequencies dipoles behave differently than monopoles. A dipole is like two monopoles separated only by a very small distance with one monopole inverted. Such a source interacts differently with the room. It's not better or worse per se.

So for the $800-$1k range of preamp/amp combo setups, vs. say the Marantz,Onkyo, Denon products:

Other than losing a AM/FM tuner, what other features do you "lose" when going with the preamp/amp combo package?

My Onkyo HDMI board is failing at present, and i cannot see spending another chunk of money on these mass market products...

thanks


*I've been looking at Outlaw products as well, and appears to be a big group there as well.

thanks


Onkyo TX 706 AVR
HSU 15 speaker package (with VTF-15H sub)
PS3 as player

I'm certain you are correct. If I come up with the money BG 50" ribbons (DIY from Part's Express) might be in my future. The biggest drawback for me is getting a center ribbon with similar voicing/characteristics especially DIY.

The big one is Audyssey.
There are other things like latest internet conectivity or airplay, but much cheaper devices do that now (and better IMO).

If Audyssey works well in your room now. that is something to consider if you can live without.
Some can, some can't. It is a personal preference.

Emotiva's pre-pro's have AM/FM tuner...

+1
here is a brief outline of features for the umc200

The UMC-200 has four pairs of stereo analog inputs and a separate 7.1 channel set of pure analog direct inputs for connecting an SACD player or external surround source. Complementing these is a full assortment of digital audio inputs (including two Toslink and 2 Coax S/PDIF inputs). You can also send audio to the UMC-200 via Bluetooth from your mobile phone or portable audio device with our optional Bluetooth module, which includes support for the latest apt-X™ high-quality audio CODEC’s. We’ve even included a high quality AM/FM tuner. audio outputs on the UMC-200 include a full set of 7.1 main outputs, a balanced subwoofer output, a separate stereo down-mix output, and two fully assignable stereo zone outputs.

^^
My UMC-1 has a AM-FM tuner and the XMC-1 will have one also.

I simply find it weird that expensive pre-pro's (Denon AVP to name one) don't av'em...

I don't. They are obsolete for most here in the US.
Radio stations are available from the network if you want them.

Most poeple do not want commercials so they seek other sources.


- Rich

When do they go on sale?

I agree. I haven't listened to FM in years.

Bill

Next sale is probably their Summer Sale and that is usually about 15% off.

You could try NEWYEARGEAR after loading up the on-line shopping cart to see if you get a 10% discount. I received a postcard from Emotiva with that code on it which is valid from 1/15/13 to 2/15/13. Not sure if it is tied to their mailing list or not, but they don't have the UMC-200 in stock and the other DACs I'm interested in aren't out yet.

First time in the Emotiva thread. Possibly looking into the xpa-3 or xpa-5. I have a Marantz SR5007 for my AVR. Definitive Technology 8060 front towers, 8040 center channel, 8040 surrounds, and pro monitor 1000's for front highs. And of course my trusty hsu vtf-15h sitting in the corner, but thats irrelevant to my questions or rather looking for your feedback. I am surely new into all this but have been reading tons of info on numerous topics of home theater. I think I am interested in the xpa-5 to run my front L/R, center and front high speakers. At first I thought my pre out options were limited but that was on the previous Marantz 5006 model.

8060 towers rated at 300 watts. 8040 center rated at 200 watts. pro monitor 1000's rated at 200 watts. Does anyone forsee any problems with this? They will all be set at 80hz.

What exactly does the dac do?

Also what is your choice for interconnects between the amp and ave?

^AVR...stupid mac auto correct!

DAC = Digital-to-Analog converter. It does exactly what it says, it converts a digital signal to an analog one that can then be pushed to powered speakers or amplifier. DACs are mainly used for 2-channel audio. I'm in the market for one for my computer room to connect several computers to my powered speakers. AVR's have DACs built into them but may not be as high quality ones as in a dedicated 2-channel DAC. I like the Emotiva XDA-2 but it is a full-rack unit. They have the DC-1 yet to be released that will have an analog input along with digital inputs and it is half-rack that can sit on top of one of my computers more easily. They also might come out with another half-rack unit that will be designed as part of an executive system. Plus there is the possibility of a UMC-500. LOL

I just picked up 5 of the Emotiva XRCA interconnects when I ordered my amp but any decent pair of RCA cables can be used as long as you get ones that can be split down the middle to allow connection to the amp inputs. The Emotiva interconnects come with a packet of colored rings that can be used to mark them for all 5 channels instead of having duplicates of red and white cables you'd have with stereo RCA.

Most people I know in the "real world" still listen to the radio. I listen to classical music radio in my vehicle. I occasionally listen to HD FM classical radio and jazz at home. Internet radio tends to be poorer quality than broadcast with bit rates of 64k and 128k especially when compared with the high quality public classical stations here in Minnesota. We here on AVS tend to be on the "bleeding edge" and see it as the norm. I would agree that radio is on the way out what with Spotify and Pandora. I think younger people are "ahead of the curve" regarding non-radio sources.
Edited by Theresa - 1/31/13 at 2:52am

whats the audio quality of the upgraded pandora one (which I am a subscriber) it sounds pretty good to my untrained ears...anyone know?