Weighing my options

[KEW]

The XPA-3 has more capacitance and VA than the XPA-5 but IMHO you need the XPA-2 if you really want to hear the power difference when you push the limit.

I agree. If you are upgrading your amp, you should get one that will never again cause you to question the possibility of it being too weak.
The XPA-2 is the model that fully delivers on that count in my book. Unless you buy speakers that are notoriously demanding, it is also future-proof against speaker upgrades. Good for the long haul!

Is it overkill? Damn straight!

(look at the differences in the number of output devices, capacitance, and power supply on a per channel basis if you want to understand our preference for the XPA-2)

 

[PENG]

Unfortunately, they're the only thing I've got. I've asked Klipsch directly, but they're tight lipped on the subject.



It still matters in terms of amperage, which I also calc out. 5 channels worth of speakers dipping down to 4 ohms or less has the potential to demand a fair bit, even with the relatively high voltage sensitivity they present. But again, I'm not doing this because I expect huge audible differences; it's peace of mind in knowing that I can push things to 0dB and expect clean unclipped output pretty much regardless of how full of it Klipsch is in rating their speakers. Of course, I never actually push things to reference making it completely arbitrary, but that's beside the point



Reference level is typically an 85dB average level, but each channel can peak up to 105dB, and they can all potentially peak simultaneously (though they rarely if ever do). I calc to the 105dB level; just for an example, into a 4 ohm load, with 95dB @ 2.83V, you're talking about ~135W into a 4 ohm load for one channel, which is a little under six amperes. Multiply that times five, and a midrange receiver could find itself in a world of hurt. Might not be real world, but I prefer safe over sorry. Plus lets face it, whatever I end up with is going to look badass, and that's half the fun too

You are slowly but surely talking yourself into buying the XPR-5 after all, just for peace of mind. Don't forget to assign at least one dedicated 20A circuit for that amp.

 

[jostenmeat]

You are slowly but surely talking yourself into buying the XPR-5 after all, just for peace of mind. Don't forget to assign at least one dedicated 20A circuit for that amp.

Wow, that thing is 94 lbs! Hahaha. 9.5" tall, I looked at Steve's room again, I'm pretty certain he will need a new equipment rack to hold that beast; I suppose he could change it to an open design for better ventilation.

Side notes about the APCs (that I assume are of extremely low interest at this point): Sorry I got cornfused with model #s, definitely not the first time that's happened. For the record, I would totally consider one as a new toy! It definitely would be for me, I'm sure I'd be grinning the first time I used the banks of triggers, lol. Anyway, just as much for my own quick reference (I'm actually tempted right now), the two lowest prices at first glance I see for the reviewed G5 are here. $127, $135; quick glance at reseller reviews for latter seem to be decent, which was entirely the opposite case for Gizmos for Life or something, horrible reviews (saw a killer price on an APC).

New APC G5BLK AV 15Amp G Type Rack Power Filter | eBay

APC APC G5BLK 120V 15 Amp G Type Rack Power Filter Surge Suppressors at Markertek.com

To continue speaking selfishly for the moment, as I was wandering around Amazon, I also got tempted by their Yamaha 371 receiver for $170. It could replace my old Onkyo HTIB receiver that has been regifted back to me, with 2/3 broken SPDIF ports, upgrade to HDMI (in this case more for convenience than performance). Pretty good price, PENG? Please say no.

 

[PENG]

yamaha 371 receiver for $170. It could replace my old onkyo htib receiver that has been regifted back to me, with 2/3 broken spdif ports, upgrade to hdmi (in this case more for convenience than performance). Pretty good price, peng? Please say no. :d

no......!!

 

[Steve81]

Wow, that thing is 94 lbs! Hahaha. 9.5" tall, I looked at Steve's room again, I'm pretty certain he will need a new equipment rack to hold that beast; I suppose he could change it to an open design for better ventilation.

Indeed, that thing is huge Even the XPA-2/3/5 are probably a bit too big/heavy for my cabinet (which is already modified to accommodate my current receiver's ventilation needs). That's part of why I'm intrigued by the possibility of an XPA-500+UMC-200, or consequently running a receiver + stereo amplifier. Of course, while I've got no problems buying an Emo amp, I'm less than optimistic about their pre/pros which is why I've come up with the Marantz option.

On the up side, running a dedicated 20 amp circuit shouldn't be a problem since the breaker box is less than ten feet away

 

[Steve81]

That's part of why I'm intrigued by the possibility of an XPA-500+UMC-200, or consequently running a receiver + stereo amplifier.

No plans to make a XPA-500 at this time per Emotiva.

 

[Steve81]

You should not do anything until you have the Omnimic running a fully understand what is lacking in your setup.

It was indeed informative.

Some takeaways I've gotten out of it so far are:

a. I should toe in my main speakers a bit more
b. Audyssey's default (and only) curve for my receiver (the movie curve) really does boost the bass considerably.
c. How Audyssey integrates the sub into the picture seems to vary significantly between right and left.

A few (not so pretty) graphs:

First: one of my RF-5s on axis, no correction (ie pure direct mode)

Second: same speaker integrated with the sub, at the sweet spot, and Audyssey running:

And the decay:

And the other speaker, integrated with the sub, at the sweet spot with Audyssey:

I'm not entirely sure what is happening there, but clearly the integration here is less than stellar.

 

[Steve81]

Updated: Speakers are toed in, subwoofer level is adjusted


Left:

Right:

 

[Steve81]

For interested parties, I did end up ordering a new XPA-200 today (they actually recommended it over the XPA-2 in my case, which I can understand); looking at the switching power strips Adam pointed me to earlier, so I'll probably not deign to get a new receiver at this point.

Of course, as I've got to have new projects in store for myself...I'm looking at having a custom cabinet made...or at the least being cheap and picking up a hole saw bit to accommodate some better wire management in my current cabinet.

 

[Adam]

I thought that you were buying my IPS-1! Way to crush the dream, man.

 

[Steve81]

I thought that you were buying my IPS-1! Way to crush the dream, man.

You just want my address so you can stalk me. Actually, I expect since I've given you likes on Amazon, you probably already know everything about me

Hello? Is somebody there? Mr..Mr. Marbles???

 

[Adam]

Yeah, like I need you to tell me your address. Would you like a satellite image of your place?

Just kidding, man. I don't do that stuff. Anymore.

 

[Steve81]

Ehh I'm not that worried either way. If you sat outside my house, the only thing you'd have been likely to notice today was a pizza delivery man dropping by, and me dumping the dead boxes of pizzas past in the recycling. Real excitement

 

[Steve81]

The XPA-200 landed last night. Night and day difference folks, night and day!!!!

 

[Adam]

The XPA-200 landed last night. Night and day difference folks, night and day!!!!

Congrats!

I take it from the tongue sticking out that you can't tell a difference?

 

[Steve81]

Thanks Adam.

Suffice it to say, I haven't exactly pitting them in a big A/Bed match (no time), but in running a few songs through, I haven't heard any of the so often described differences, ie having to run and check that my subwoofer was on or anything like that. Color me not shocked.

I am pleased with the quality of product though, and no problems to report.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Thanks Adam.

Suffice it to say, I haven't exactly pitting them in a big A/Bed match (no time), but in running a few songs through, I haven't heard any of the so often described differences, ie having to run and check that my subwoofer was on or anything like that. Color me not shocked.

I am pleased with the quality of product though, and no problems to report.

I bet you will never notice a difference as long as the levels are matched and under the same setup (same sound modes, same snags, etc).

I bet all the audible differences is in the speakers and subs, not amps, preamps, AVR & pre-pro (preamp section), or DACs.

But oh yeah, of course, I hear a night and day difference between my $500 open box Denon 3312 vs my AT2004. Night and day I tell ya.

 

[Steve81]

Really the only difference I'm expecting is to be able to push the limits a smidgen further in 5.1.

Of course, there's something to be said about having a 150W separate amplifier hooked up to a pair of speakers with a rated sensitivity of 99dB w/ 2.83V. It's also worth mentioning there may be something more nefarious at play. For those who've watched my posting history, you know I've got no great affinity for surround sound. That is to say, I'd rather concentrate my limited resources into a great 2.1 system versus a good 5.1 system. This is one small step in that direction.

 

[PENG]

Thanks Adam.

Suffice it to say, I haven't exactly pitting them in a big A/Bed match (no time), but in running a few songs through, I haven't heard any of the so often described differences, ie having to run and check that my subwoofer was on or anything like that. Color me not shocked.

I am pleased with the quality of product though, and no problems to report.

Congratulations regardless !!

You can always add a XPA-3 in your next upgrade and move this little guy to the back, in order to hear the real DNN difference...

 

[PENG]

Of course, there's something to be said about having a 150W separate amplifier hooked up to a pair of speakers with a rated sensitivity of 99dB w/ 2.83V.

Wait a minute.. I thought we had been through with this before, that you had found out the 99dB/m/2.83V thing was not supported by some lab measurements or something, what changed your mind?