emp bookshelves with tube amp

krzywica

krzywica

Audioholic Samurai
Dang....kinda regret getting my sherwood system now.......
 
gene

gene

Audioholics Master Chief
Administrator
they are more like 41-SE/Rs as they use a 4" woof instead of a 6" found on the 61-SE/R. Insane deal even without the amp. I want a pair to use as computer speakers :)
 
H

Haaspac

Audioholic
can i pair those speakers and amp with a subwoofer using that "line out" jack with a phono-to-RCA cable?
 
majorloser

majorloser

Moderator
can i pair those speakers and amp with a subwoofer using that "line out" jack with a phono-to-RCA cable?
You could, but the speakers would still be receiving full range material. You would need a crossover in the signal path between the amp and the source to prevent that. If the subwoofer has line level R&L inputs, you could run the outputs from the CD player through the subwoofer than into the amp.

But I'm quite sure this little setup was meant to be used as sold. The beryllium is much stiffer than an alluminum driver and about half the weight. I guess I'll have to wait to see how these sound.
 
J

jamie2112

Banned
I bet they sound amazing.I am very tempted to get one of these for a hotel system.I am looking into a road case now.I think these would be great in a dressing room or aftershow party as well.Really nice looking and compact it could be a winner for me.........
 
H

Haaspac

Audioholic
You could, but the speakers would still be receiving full range material. You would need a crossover in the signal path between the amp and the source to prevent that. If the subwoofer has line level R&L inputs, you could run the outputs from the CD player through the subwoofer than into the amp.

But I'm quite sure this little setup was meant to be used as sold. The beryllium is much stiffer than an alluminum driver and about half the weight. I guess I'll have to wait to see how these sound.
Such as a phono-to-RCA from the laptop to the subwoofer and then RCA-to-RCA from the sub to the amp? and what would that do? im sure they are meant to be used as sold BUT I would like to add earth rumbling bass to it.

edit: was going to pair the speakers with this sub http://svsound.com/products-sub-box-pb12nsd.cfm#
 
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gene

gene

Audioholics Master Chief
Administrator
They are shipping me this system next week for review but I gave them no guarantees of returning it after my review is completed :)
 
H

Haaspac

Audioholic
They are shipping me this system next week for review but I gave them no guarantees of returning it after my review is completed :)
Thats awesome but is there a way like I mentioned above to pair it with a sub correctly? if I can get that PB12-NSD subwoofer to work correctly with those bookshelves I will buy them both immediately
 
gene

gene

Audioholics Master Chief
Administrator
Thats awesome but is there a way like I mentioned above to pair it with a sub correctly? if I can get that PB12-NSD subwoofer to work correctly with those bookshelves I will buy them both immediately
I don't see why you can't at least do it speaker level either connecting the Sub in parallel or series with the speakers and using the subs HPF for the speakers. I'd try it in parallel first and if you feel the speakers can't handle the bass, then apply the bass management of the subwoofer.
 
Seth=L

Seth=L

Audioholic Overlord
jamie2112 said:
I bet they sound amazing.I am very tempted to get one of these for a hotel system.I am looking into a road case now.I think these would be great in a dressing room or aftershow party as well.Really nice looking and compact it could be a winner for me.........
A tube amplifier for the road? That sounds like a stretch.:confused: I guess as much as you move around you can probably figure it out.
 
H

Haaspac

Audioholic
I don't see why you can't at least do it speaker level either connecting the Sub in parallel or series with the speakers and using the subs HPF for the speakers. I'd try it in parallel first and if you feel the speakers can't handle the bass, then apply the bass management of the subwoofer.
I have no idea what you just said but ok. I'm guessing you mean run speaker wires from the amp to the high level inputs on the sub and then high level output from sub to speakers, but I read somewhere that that configuration doesn't give the sub its full potential like hooking it up via RCA cable, like "line out" stereo-to-RCA cable.

Edit: After a little more thought I'm guessing you meant run speaker wires from the amp to the sub and speakers at the same time which would be parallel, or amp to sub to speakers for series. Whats the difference between the two? any sonic difference? i just want to be able to pair a sub to them without having to sacrifice bass quality by using high level inputs and outputs. Atleast I think that would stifle some bass quality as far as I know. I could be wrong though.
 
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gene

gene

Audioholics Master Chief
Administrator
I have no idea what you just said but ok. I'm guessing you mean run speaker wires from the amp to the high level inputs on the sub and then high level output from sub to speakers, but I read somewhere that that configuration doesn't give the sub its full potential like hooking it up via RCA cable, like "line out" stereo-to-RCA cable.

Edit: After a little more thought I'm guessing you meant run speaker wires from the amp to the sub and speakers at the same time which would be parallel, or amp to sub to speakers for series. Whats the difference between the two? any sonic difference? i just want to be able to pair a sub to them without having to sacrifice bass quality by using high level inputs and outputs. Atleast I think that would stifle some bass quality as far as I know. I could be wrong though.
Yes I meant speaker level connections.

Parallel means the speakers still get full range as does the sub and you use the sub LPF xover to limit its range.

Series means the sub gets full range which you limit with its LPF, but the speakers bass is limited based on the subs HPF setting. This can potentially degrade the sound quality of the speakers b/c you are running the subs passive network in series with it.

You really need to try both methods to determine what sounds best.

Either configuration will still allow you to achieve the fullest potential of your sub as if it was being connected line level. The only real difference is you are now using the subs LPF instead of the LPF typically found in A/V receivers.
 
H

Haaspac

Audioholic
Yes I meant speaker level connections.

Parallel means the speakers still get full range as does the sub and you use the sub LPF xover to limit its range.

Series means the sub gets full range which you limit with its LPF, but the speakers bass is limited based on the subs HPF setting. This can potentially degrade the sound quality of the speakers b/c you are running the subs passive network in series with it.

You really need to try both methods to determine what sounds best.

Either configuration will still allow you to achieve the fullest potential of your sub as if it was being connected line level. The only real difference is you are now using the subs LPF instead of the LPF typically found in A/V receivers.
can you describe the wiring setups for both series and parallel just so I don't blow up anything by accident? use only speaker wire and no stereo-to-RCA cables?
 
gene

gene

Audioholics Master Chief
Administrator
Parallel Wiring:
  • Run one speaker cable from the left amp channel to your left speaker.
  • Run another speaker cable from the left amp channel (spliced with the left speaker cable) to the left input of your sub
  • do the same for the right channel

Series Wiring
  • Run one speaker cable from the left amp channel to the left input of your sub
  • Run one speaker cable from the left sub out to the left speaker
  • Do the same for the right channel
 
H

Haaspac

Audioholic
Thanks a bunch gene, i just ordered both the emp bookshelves and the svs PC12-NSD. I thought the cylinder would look a lot cooler and I wouldn't have to move my desk because its narrow, and I've always wanted a tube amp. Too good to pass up. Upgrading from logitech z5500. The room this will go in is 18'ish x 11'ish.

Edit: What kind of maintenance do you think the tube amp will require? I have never messed with a tube amp before.
 
gene

gene

Audioholics Master Chief
Administrator
I am no expert on tube amps. I recall older tube amps often need tube replacements every few years but you may want to check with RBH about that.

It would be interesting to hear your impressions coming from a computer system. I plan on reviewing the set in a similar fashion as I am finding myself listening to Pandora on my PC more and more these days. Its nice to have a good audio system tied into your PC. Good luck.
 
X

Xargos

Junior Audioholic
Edit: What kind of maintenance do you think the tube amp will require? I have never messed with a tube amp before.
The maintenance required on a tube amp is often just occasionally changing tubes and re-biasing (if the amp isn't a self-biasing design). Tube life varies greatly depending on the type of tubes used, how hard they are pushed in the amp, the temperatures they reach, etc...

Most modern tube amps are pretty simple plug and play affairs that seem to be relatively easy on tubes. As Gene said, tube replacement every few years would be something you might expect. With some designs, the tubes might last quite some time.

Your main concerns should be what kind of tubes the amp uses, how readily available they are, and how to handle biasing the tubes should the need arise. Generally nothing major.
 
KEW

KEW

Audioholic Overlord
Gene (and others),
I'm a fan of beryllium tweeters, but I've never seen beryllium used for mid drivers. Is this common, or is EMP doing something "out of the box" with this?
Thanks!
 
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