EMOTIVA Thread Q&A [TECHNICAL TALK ONLY] - Page 104

Wow Sticks, that's quite the bug.

Anyway, per your sub question, I spent a lot of time figuring out subs last fall myself. And the short answer, as with everything audio, is "no consensus".

Some people feel sealed subs for music, ported for HT, but those seemed to be just old rules of thumb that were demolished with new advances. A lot of very nice, and expensive, ported subs can be had from ID companies. A great example is the SVS Ultra 13.

But with subs there are a lot of considerations: usage (in your case music), room size, budget, aesthetics to name the main offenders.

Ported subs are big, can be cheap (and ugly), need less power, generally have good "slam" BUT can also be musical.

Sealed subs need more powerm, are generally smaller, can be more "musical", but can also be more expensive.

Depending on room size the the SVS SB-12 is a VERY pretty sub, very musical, and reasonably priced.

The Velodyne DD series is articulate but also VERY expensive, and the JL Fathom series is more of the above.

Anyway, the general recommendation for guys like us (max performance for minimum price) is to go ID. Hsu, SVS, Elemental Designs (eD), AV123 to name just a few. I am familiar with the brands you mentioned but haven't heard them. All RELs were considered overpriced when I was last on the sub forum.

Last thing, I know you are having a great experience with Emo right now but I would recommend you stay away from their subs until the reviews come trickling in. They will probably be ok, maybe even great, but there are a LOT of great subs out there right now so there is no need to wait. And as an additional piece of info, although there are quite a few ID sub brand there are even fewer sub designers. In fact Hsu designs are sold by more than one reatiler. Just something to consider.

Two many great options out there for Emotiva to be even a top 10 choice for a sub! Heck those three you listed are not remotely worth the $$$.

I do have a decent understand of what a great sub woofer can do since I have own many of the top brands and I currently have an IB array in one room and 4 subs in another room (2 sealed 15" TC2Ks, 2 ported monster TC2Ks).

In the end comercial can be great (AV123, SVS, HSU) but my $$$ are in the DIY performance

XPA-1 will offer zero audiable difference vs the XPA-2, I would also bet large $$$ that you would not hear any difference between the XPA-1 and the XPA-3 in a properly setup ABX!! You will NEVER, EVER, EVER use 25% of that XPA-1 so why spend so much money????

Buy the XPA-3 for your mains, waste less time deciding and spend more time listening!!!!

In the end its your money so waste away but for the $$$ I have several better recommendations (non-audio) to tweak your excitement

That's why I said to wait for the reviews.

Also, commercial includes both B&M as well as ID offerings, which can have vastly different value propositons.

I think I might get the XPA3 due to the price and power over the upa7 for my front stage.

While so many dismiss the UPA-7 as not quite adequate, I find it to be a very good value. I've finally taken a photo of my setup, as viewed from where I sit, or to be more precise, 6" above where my head it during listening.

Don't look at my cables, they are a mess, but at least the power cords are all routed away from the input/output connects. Speakers are Infinity Interludes, IL40s (big ones) and IL30s (smaller 2 way) and play in harmony in 2 channels driven by the UPA-7, each speaker having its own separate channel off the amp. Center channel is a JBL S Center, very good center sound. Sub on the right is an Infinity PS212, 400 watts. Does a decent job on music, and is awesome for movies.

I no longer have extra speakers. Solves that problem, ehh, at least for a bit.

I've split the L-R signals from the pre/pro (HK AVR 247) and to the amp. Surrounds are temp, being JBL E50s, 3 way bookshelfs.

I'm about to pull the trigger on a pair of ERD-1s based on BigReds evaluation of them on the Emo Lounge.

I'm familiar with the Interlude series, having owned the IL50s and buying the IL40s as surrounds at the same time. I discovered the IL40s are actually better speakers, especially in the mid range, and with a sub completely outclasses the IL50s. So, the IL50s are gone and I finally found a pair of IL30s for surrounds. That is until I found out how damn awesome the four are in a 2 channel arraignment. Not looking to replace my Interludes any time soon, although I was contemplating just that before I bought the UPA-7. Seems as if they were made for each other.

FWIW I was driving the ILs with an HK AVR 520 before buying the Emo amp. Best move I've made since I bought the Interludes and 520 some 8 years ago.

Oh, thats my best buddy Milo in the lower left corner, a 12 lb. rat terrier. He is totally blind. Never thought I'd have a blind dog. You'd never know it seeing him navigate the house and the yard.

Completing the equipment rack is an old Panasonic 5 disc DVD player, an HK DVD 22, and the Directv H23(?) HD receiver. And as you can see, the TV also doubles as my computer monitor.

Life is very good!

I am not really dismissing the upa7, just think the xpa3 with more power and cheaper price is the way to go.

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My comments were not directed at you or any one else. I just wanted to put out something for prospective buyers to look at and think about. a 7 channel amp has flexibility that a 3 or even 5 channel amp does not have. In my case, having extra speakers around started me thinking about what I could do with them. This is what I came up with and the sound excels.

The XPA series are excellent value, as is the UPA series.

Of course, YMMV.

Knucklehead90,

Awesome setup bro! looking very nice!

I also was not shrugging off the UPA-7. I really really liked my LPA-1 which was essentially the same thing. IMO most people will be perfectly happy with the UPA-7. Going from the LPA-1 to the XPA-3 or RPA-1 was not as big of a difference on my Swan Diva 5.1's. But there was still a difference. When i got my Viennas thats when i was like ...Whoa So for the majority of people the UPA-7 will be an awesome choice.

The XPA-3 is a fantastic choice for those with power hungry speakers that could use a big boost to their front sounstage. Especially those whose speakers take low impedence dips (example Focal rates most of their speakers at a nominal 8ohm load, but they take dips down to 3.2ohms quite often) and in this case will be a benefit with that more powerful amp. I also recommend the XPA-3 to those that plan on using a receiver as a pre/pro. With the majority of the load being taken off the receiver the surrounds should get plenty of power (which is fine because most people dont have powerful rears). Also the price for the XPA-3 is unbelieveable right now...But i can understand those who want equal power across the board


EDIT: i decided to split this up into another post so people dont think im writing this to knucklehead and thus ignore it lol

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Thanks.

LOL!

I must be shrinking! I started out the day as knucklehead90, I've been demoted!

FUTURE EMOTIVA BUYERS READ THIS...


My recommendation to everyone looking at the XPA series wondering if they need it is this...

1. Get it if your speakers are rated nominaly at 4ohms
2. If your speakers take low impedence dips (ex. Magnepan's, Martin Logans and many other companies)
3. Your speakes are not efficient (as in the have a low sensitivity)
4. You have a good powerful receiver but want more juice to your front soundstage, that way you still have plenty of power running to the surrounds
5. A big music fan looking for a better 2-channel experience
6. If you plan on upgrading your speakers to something that loves power
7 If you have a large room and like to listen at high voumes

other reasons that i "forgot" lol
8. "Looks cool in the dark" -Thanks Aliens hehe

Now lets face it, NOT ALL SPEAKERS REALLY NEED THIS MUCH POWER...
So in this case MOST people really should be satisfied with the UPA-7 as it really is a GREAT amp. Seriously though not everyone will benefit with the extra power. Be smart with your decision, realize the capabilities of your speakers. If they have a high sensitivity and dont take low impedence dips then odds are you just don't NEED the XPA's, BUT i do realize sometimes people just feel better by getting the more powerful amp, that way they dont feel like they are missing out (but thats more psychological than anything lol).

Everyones mileage will vary here. Some people will like the added boost of a high powered amp, and others will be highly critical and will say its not needed. Just realize everyone has different needs and different listening tastes along with listening enviroments. All recommendations will be different and opinionated. So use the above as a general method to help you choose the right amp for you.



-Steve

I'm just curious how Emotiva amp owners feel about Outlaw amps? Outlaw seems to have a few multi-channel amps that that have gotten really good reviews. These Outlaw amps are powerful and balanced as well. Any thoughts? thanks

hehe when i wrote that i was thinking something was off....

fixed now!

I don't think anyone knocks them, they just generally seem to be more expensive than the Emotivas. Their 5 x 200 wpc amp is like twice the price of the XPA-5. But I haven't heard anyone say bad things about them that I can recall and I've almost always heard them referred to favorably.

They look kind of boring to me though, FWIW.

8. Want something that looks cool in the dark.

They have fantastic amps Jimmy. They are pretty much on equal grounds. The only thing is outlaw is oudated with their prices IMO. With newer companies like Emotiva having low price points like they do Outlaw will lose alot of business especially as Emotiva grows. But Outlaw has been around awhile and its become a proven company where most people dont question it like they do with Emotiva (or at least as much).

IMO Emotiva is a better value. Thats why i went for them when i was choosing what amps to go with. Emotiva just flat out has cheaper prices and better looking gear. Now you were comparing an outlaw 300x7 amp fully balanced to mono blocks. Kinda different things to compare here. Mono-blocks are an audiophiles wet-dream. They are designed to be flat out beasts, but to compare them to a powerful mutlichannel amp is kinda just a different comparsion. I will say if your trying to consolidate space or only have room for one amp then the Outlaw is a good choice. I would personally go for the MPS-2 because of its price, but thats just my opinion. IF your looking for a true reference amp than thats where the XPA-1 steps in.

But to answer your question Outlaw and Emotiva are pretty much equal...just Emotiva has better prices.

Components in light.



Components in movie mode. As you can tell by the TV screen, the mood has been set.

^ hahaahahh thats hilarious!!!

You also have a great setup!!! But where is the rest of the speakers

P.S.- that XPA-3 looks so sexy in the dark...

1. No, they are rated at 8ohms
2. dont think they do
3. They are very efficient
4. 110 watts pioneer elite, not really that powerful, but plenty for the 75 watt rms rears i have
5. love music, but more home theater
6. I did upgrade to rf63s and RC64 which both take around 200 watts rms.
7. 15x31 is pretty large.

XPA3 or UPA7?
RF 63s 175W RMS / 700W Peak
RC 64 200W RMS / 800W Peak
RS 42s 75W RMS / 300W Peak

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Sounds like you may be a good candidate for the UPA-7 with the efficient speakers.
My usage ratio is 90/5/5, music/movies/TV. With Infinity IL40s and IL30s driven together in 2 channel, each with its own channel, I find no lack of punch for music. Thats 150wpc and 4 speakers.
This leaves 1 for the center and 2 for the surrounds. Still no lack of power/punch for movies.

You could also go with the XPA-3. What a bargain that is right now!

Now that I have the XPA-3, I've been driving myself crazy trying to decide on a receiver. One minute it’s the Yamaha RX-V1900, then the next it’s the Marantz SR6003. Unfortunately, I have to drive 2 hours north to listen to the Marantz.

ok, now its as clear as MUD.

you tell me Im a good candidate for the UPA7, but tell me I could also go with the XPA3. lol

Honestly if your going with RF-63's i really do suggest the XPA-3. They are VERY efficient but they do drop in impedence, and i know they do love good clean power.

And with klipsch rears you honestly would be fine power them with your receiver.

I dunno man its your decision lol.

Nice!!! 7002's? I've been thinkg about those for a new HT... Thoughts with the XPA-3?


I have the Yamaha RX-V3900 right now, and its an excellent receiver. But a bit expensive for what i need right now so im selling it. I have the Marantz SR6003 on its way, should be here friday

Hey guys,

I'm new here and I was wondering about the Emotiva processors and amps.

I currently have a B&K AVR307 that's driving Martin Logan Aeon L/R, Cinema C, Polk Audio In-wall TC65i SL/SR, and Polk Audio In Ceiling TC60i SBL/SBR.

Would going with Emotiva separates be an upgrade to what I have now, (obviously cheaper than upgrading to either the B&K AVR707 or the Ref 70 with a Ref 200.7 amp.)?

If so, with the speakers that I'm running now would it behoove me to go with the UPA-7, or the XPA-5 and a XPA-2?

I'm also intrigued with the processor they say they will be releasing at the end of March.

Thanks in advance,
Keith

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I only offered my opinion. YMMV.

I guess it all depends on your listening levels. You are the best judge of that. Bigred covered that in his 7 point post.

The final choice is, of course, up to you, isn't it?
How hard do you crank it up?

I was really leaning toward the XPA3. It has more power for my fronts, which need it, and it is a great price, even cheaper than the UPA7.


I wasnt aware they dropped in impedance at all. Yes they are very efficient and they take a decent amount of power. Might as well get the most power for the money.

lol read post 3101, i just covered that.

Someone from the Lounge just got the B&K Ref70 and has had TONS of issues with it. But i think he got a new firmware which fixed alot of those issues, but from what i've read it looks like they released the product a little to early.

For the money you could do yourself alot of justice going with the Emotiva amps while saving alot of money compared to buying the B&K stuff (which is phenominal gear, just can be pretty damn pricey).

There are several owners in the Emotiva Lounge who use ML speakers and love the emotiva amps paired with them. EmoBlue has the most recent review of ML's paired with an RPA-1 (same as RPA-2 just different cosmetics), and he greatly preferred it over the XPA-2 he had when paired it with his ML's.

http://emotivalounge.proboards54.com...ay&thread=3242


This should help you some.

I have a Yamaha RX-V1800 that I'm happy with, for the most part. However, I have been thinking about getting a UPA-7 and a UMC-1 when it comes out. I have Rocket 850s, 300s, 250s, and a 200 in a 16 x 16 room with a vaulted 20 foot ceiling. My usage is probably 70/30 HT/music. Would the Emotiva separates be a significant upgrade over the receiver?

One thing I'm looking for is the ability to send signals to my rears instead of surrounds when listening to multichannel music. Does anyone know if the UMC-1 will be able to do this?

Doh!!!

Sorry, I guess that's what I get for being impatient and not reading the whole thread. (Or for that matter, the page I posted on...)

Thanks for the link and the help.