Which Emotiva amp for stereo listening?

[mister wiggles]

I'm looking to get a separate amp to drive the front 2 speakers for 2-channel listening. The speakers are B&W 804S and have bi-amp/wire capable drive by Pioneer SC-55.

Emotiva offers the XPA-5 which would allow me to use 4 channels to drive the 2 left/right speakers (bi-amp configuration) and the remaining channel for the center speaker @200WPC.

Option 2 would be the XPA-2 which would deliver 300WPC into the left/right speakers and use the receiver to drive the center.

Third option is two XPA-100 driving one speaker each.

I've not heard any of these amps first hand. I feel the XPA-2 may be fine as the bass in these speakers will not be too terribly difficult to drive. I was hoping someone with a better understanding of this topic could steer me in the right direction.

I am open to other amp options with the same price point (new or used). The Peachtree 220 is also a strong contender as well.

 

[ImcLoud]

How big is your room, is the avr currently not powerful enough? I have tried and found no difference in sq when "bi amping", the cost of doing it is about the only difference, lol.

I would go with the xpa3 and just power your fronts with a separate amp if that is what you are looking to do... bi amping isn't going to help your sound especially when crossed to a sub..

 

[mister wiggles]

Room is 20x28x12the entire floor is open. I don't expect to fill the room with music, but listening distance is about 10ft.

The avr puts out 140wpc (2 channel driven). I think driving the the center and surrounds (5.1 system) with the receiver should be sufficient for home theater. The power from the XPA-2 should be more than enough for the front L/R. For around the same amount of money, i can get a pair of mono blocks. I base this purely on specs as i've never had the opportunity to experience the characteristics of the amps first hand.

 

[j_garcia]

I have an XPA-3 and I sit 11ft away and my room is larger than yours with cathedral ceiling. If you need more power than that you must be deaf already.

Do you have an issue with insufficient power right now for your listening levels? If not, and amp isn't going to change anything.

 

[JonnyFive23517]

If I was going to look at Emotiva for driving two channels for stereo listening, then I would recommend you consider their XPA-1L monoblocks. They are high biased, staying in class A operation up until 35 watts. Currently at $600 each on sale. I haven't heard them, but those that have really seem to like them.

 

[j_garcia]

I was going to suggest the 1L also. Probably a good choice for those speakers, but again, if power isn't an issue, it won't make a night and day difference in the sound.

 

[ImcLoud]

I think the smart choice is the xpa3, maybe find a gen one on ebay for $400 or so, I have the xpa2 in a 2ch music system and an xpa5 in my HT{because I have a processor not an avr, if I had an avr I would power my surrounds with it}.

To my understanding this is an HT system, so I think I would want the front 3 on the same amplifier {unless you got 3 matching monos}, I have heard the 1l and its nice, but so are the others, soooo.... $1200 for a pair of mono blocks, I would think 3 outlaw 2200's for a few hundred less would be a better choice. I loe my 2200's for a music system, they sound awesome and have a ton of power, I honestly think Outlaws 2200s put out more than the xpa5 per channel although they are both 200w, just my experience the 2200's seem louder...

I guess it just depends on what you want to spend, but I wouldn't expect a "night and day" difference, and although I personally have a grudge against avrs, lol {due to my own bad luck I guess} I would run look into either mono 2200's or xpa3... Another good option is 3 Dayton apa150's, I believe they are still on sale for $125 or so, for $375 you get 150 watts per channel, I have done this and seen it a few times, that is a very nice amplifier, originally sold by Emotiva as the bpa1....

 

[j_garcia]

2200s are likely louder because they don't share a power supply They aren't class A like the 1L, but they'll do just fine

 

[ImcLoud]

2200s are likely louder because they don't share a power supply

Yah, your probably rite, I hate sharing, one of the draw backs of being married................. with children.

 

[j_garcia]

I had 3 Marantz 500 monos before I moved to the XPA-3. Despite the separate power supplies, the XPA-3 still provided more power to my 4 Ohm speakers. The new speakers aren't 4 Ohm though.

 

[ImcLoud]

Them Marantz were only 125w per channel at 8 ohms, correct? If they are the long skinny ones I am thinking of they weren't very powerful...

 

[mister wiggles]

For 2 channel listening at moderate levels, sound and imaging are fairly good driven by the SC-55. I auditioned these As I increase the volume, I notice the sound begin to thin and less direct. I suspect more power to the speakers would yield positive results as I've read the 804s' demand quite a bit of power to do them justice. (correct me if my assessment is inaccurate).

When I first auditioned these speakers driven by a McIntosh 302, the bass was much tighter and overall presence was much more involving.

 

[j_garcia]

For 2 channel listening at moderate levels, sound and imaging are fairly good driven by the SC-55. I auditioned these As I increase the volume, I notice the sound begin to thin and less direct. I suspect more power to the speakers would yield positive results as I've read the 804s' demand quite a bit of power to do them justice. (correct me if my assessment is inaccurate).

When I first auditioned these speakers driven by a McIntosh 302, the bass was much tighter and overall presence was much more involving.

Based on this, yes you will benefit from an amp.

 

[ImcLoud]

OK, now we figured out you need an amp, lets narrow down the choices, what is your budget?

Outlaw 2200's 2 or 3
Emo xpa2, xpa3, or 1l monos {I would personally look for a used set of xpa1 monos over the 1L's}
APA150's

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Or one $532 Harman Crown XLS 2500 amp (440WPC 8 ohms/775WPC 4 ohms) and let your AVR power the Center.

There is another forum member who owns both Salon2 & 800D2, and he is completely happy using the Crown XLS 2500 to power his speakers.

 

[RichB]

I liked the M2200 with my Salons.
I really like the Parasound so an A31 costs a bit more but is a great amp.

- Rich

 

[PENG]

I've read the 804s' demand quite a bit of power to do them justice. (correct me if my assessment is inaccurate).

People like to say that sort of things and most of the time its just hearsays with little truth to it. In this case, I would say the 804S isn't too difficult to drive but would do better with something stronger than that class D Pioneer AVR, given your room size and the fact that you seem to like to crank the volume up.

When I first auditioned these speakers driven by a McIntosh 302, the bass was much tighter and overall presence was much more involving.

I don't doubt they would sound better with the 302 in a larger room and at higher volume, but I think we probably don't define "much" and "much more" the same way.


I heard the 804S driven by just an AVR with no sign of any issues, but it was a B&K that most likely was more powerful than the SC-55 (1.5X I guess). If you really want to hear better SQ, you may want to try out the 804 diamond. Those are really nice, I almost bought a pair when I was shopping for speakers about a year ago.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Okay, so the 804s has a sensitivity of 90dB/2.83v/m & minimum impedance of 4 ohm, nominal of 8 ohms.

Product Review

If listening distance is 3m and total peak volume is 94dB (for me personally in 2.0 Direct mode), each speaker needs 11 watts (8 ohms) or 22 watts (4 ohms).

If peak volume is 97dB, then it's 23 watts/8 ohms or 46 watts/4 ohms.

If peak is 100dB, then it's 45 watts/8 ohms or 90 watts/4 ohms.

If peak is 103dB, then it's 100 watts/8 ohms or 200 watts/4 ohms.

If peak is 106dB, then it's 180 watts/8 ohms or 360 watts/4 ohms.

 

[PENG]

Okay, so the 804s has a sensitivity of 90dB/2.83v/m & minimum impedance of 4 ohm, nominal of 8 ohms.

Product Review

If listening distance is 3m and total peak volume is 94dB (for me personally in 2.0 Direct mode), each speaker needs 11 watts (8 ohms) or 22 watts (4 ohms).

If peak volume is 97dB, then it's 23 watts/8 ohms or 46 watts/4 ohms.

If peak is 100dB, then it's 45 watts/8 ohms or 90 watts/4 ohms.

If peak is 103dB, then it's 100 watts/8 ohms or 200 watts/4 ohms.

If peak is 106dB, then it's 180 watts/8 ohms or 360 watts/4 ohms.

I thought the 804s could dip to 3 ohms but that wouldn't make any noticeable difference. Base on your numbers I think the Emo XPA-2 would be best. If he is open to other suggestions then I would go with the Parasound Halo A23. For under 1K I doubt one can do better, if 2 channel sound quality is the goal.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I thought the 804s could dip to 3 ohms but that wouldn't make any noticeable difference. Base on your numbers I think the Emo XPA-2 would be best. If he is open to other suggestions then I would go with the Parasound Halo A23. For under 1K I doubt one can do better, if 2 channel sound quality is the goal.

I believe the 804D goes down to 3 ohms around 100Hz, but the 804S goes down to 4 ohms around 100Hz.

Product Review

Bowers & Wilkins 804 Diamond loudspeaker Measurements | Stereophile.com

The question is, how loud will he listen from 10ft?

In any case, I would rather just get a $340 Harman a Crown XLS 1500, which is 300 watts into 8 ohms, 525 watts into 4 ohms, 775 watts into 2 ohms, which will cover the 3 ohms if he gets the 804D.

If total peak volume is 106dB, then each speaker needs 180 watts into 8 ohms, 360 watts into 4 ohms, & 480 watts into 3 ohms.