XPA-1 w/ Paradigm Studio 100s v2 okay?

[Christopher B]

I'm thinking about buying a pair of XPA-1s for my Paradigm Reference Studio 100s v2.

www.stereophile.com/floorloudspeakers/252/index3.html


#1 I'm concerned about the specs of the speakers, as they say max 210w @ 8ohms (xpa-1 is 500w @ 8ohms.) Should I be concerned about this?

I'm thinking that this will give me a more futureproof setup in case I get something more power hungry like oh... Magnepan 3.7s when they are released some day.

Plus, I'd hope that besides the 3db volume gain compared to XPA-2s, they would also lead to slightly better sound quality... maybe. Thoughts?

[taoggniklat]

Nov 14, 2010 2:50:51 GMT -5 Christopher B said:

I'm thinking about buying a pair of XPA-1s for my Paradigm Reference Studio 100s v2.

www.stereophile.com/floorloudspeakers/252/index3.html


#1 I'm concerned about the specs of the speakers, as they say max 210w @ 8ohms (xpa-1 is 500w @ 8ohms.) Should I be concerned about this?

I'm thinking that this will give me a more futureproof setup in case I get something more power hungry like oh... Magnepan 3.7s when they are released some day.

Plus, I'd hope that besides the 3db volume gain compared to XPA-2s, they would also lead to slightly better sound quality... maybe. Thoughts?

#1 - No, Paradigms love the power. Those baby's will rock with XPA-1's, 2's, 3's, 5's etc.

[roadrunner]

mademperor

The XPA-1 amp is an excellent choice for the Paradigm speakers, and as you mentioned in your post it will future proof your purchase and provide you the best sound quality. The fact that the XPA-1 is capable of 500 Watts does not mean you need to worry.

It is like buying a car with a 500 horse power engine when the speed limit is only 65 MPH. Just because the car, with that big engine, is capable of far exceeding the speed limit doesn't mean you will necessarily be driving the car at 100 MPH... but it is nice to know that you can quickly pass a slow moving car if you need to, right? Same thing with the amp... it has the power in reserve just in case it is needed. ;D

[Christopher B]

Thanks for your help, that is reassuring news.

I have one more question. Would I be able to power (2) XPA-1s (1) XPA-5 and a SVS Subwoofer (300w) with a single 20amp 120hz breaker?

(Plus all my other equipment like desktop computer, pre-amp, projector, lights in the room ect)


EDIT: The fuses for the circuits are 20amp, however I am not sure if they are 100% true 20amp circuits since I heard that is uncommon and would normally have 20amp outlets. I had an electrician here not too long ago, and he said it all looked good 20amp x5 100amp total for the apt.

[NorthStar]

Nov 14, 2010 7:24:31 GMT -5 Christopher B said:

Thanks for your help, that is reassuring news.

I have one more question. Would I be able to power (2) XPA-1s (1) XPA-5 and a SVS Subwoofer (300w) with a single 20amp 120hz breaker?

(Plus all my other equipment like desktop computer, pre-amp, projector, lights in the room ect)


EDIT: The fuses for the circuits are 20amp, however I am not sure if they are 100% true 20amp circuits since I heard that is uncommon and would normally have 20amp outlets. I had an electrician here not too long ago, and he said it all looked good 20amp x5 100amp total for the apt.

First, Welcome to the Lounge!

Second, a pair of XPA-1 monoblocks to mate with your Paradigm Reference Studio 100 v2 series; Fantastic Match made in Heaven!

Third, regarding your question about a 20amp breaker to power all your equipment; YES, it would be fine!
(Just not from the same AC wall outlet though.)

* A 20amp circuit breaker can handle power in excess of 2,400 watts!
...And there is simply no way that you'll exceed that rating in a continuously operation mode. No way Jose!
And that is only a figure; that 20amp breaker can handle peaks of over 3 kilowatts+!

[gigbyt]

500 WATTS = HEADROOM. And Headroom is a GOOD thing,
i'd say, go for it!!!!

[Poodleluvr]

"Secrets of Amplifier And Speaker Power
Requirements Revealed!"

www.enjoythemusic.com/magazine/manufacture/0907/

"Article by Alan Lofft as supplied by Axiom Audio"

An excerpt from article with link and credit provided above:

"The lesson in all this is that you can never have too much power, and that big amplifiers rarely damage speakers. Little amplifiers driven into clipping burn out speakers. In the scheme of high fidelity, that last barrier to realism is having enough power and being able to approximate real-life loudness levels."

[Christopher B]

Thanks for answering my 2nd question! I won't worry about it.

For my center channel (Paradigm Studio CC) & Surrounds (Just 2 atm) Only.

XPA-5 $709
or
UPA-1 (Center) & UPA-5 $729

(Mains will be run by (2) XPA-1s

[NorthStar]

XPA-5!

[roadrunner]

Nov 15, 2010 1:43:55 GMT -5 Christopher B said:

Thanks for answering my 2nd question! I won't worry about it.

For my center channel (Paradigm Studio CC) & Surrounds (Just 2 atm) Only.

XPA-5 $709
or
UPA-1 (Center) & UPA-5 $729

(Mains will be run by (2) XPA-1s

Not knowing what your Center and Surround speakers will be, it is harder to give you an informed recommendation. It would also help to know how large you listening area is, whether this HT system is mainly for watching movies or listening to music, what genre of music you listen to, what your listening habits are like, and detailed location of gear and furniture within the HT room... not to mention the number, size and location of doors and windows; type of flooring, walls and ceiling treatment.

Without that information, I would be inclined to say get the XPA-5. I still may recommend the XPA-5 after you tell us more details, but it might change once we see what you are dealing with and what your needs will be. Sorry I couldn't give a more focused answer at this time.

[Christopher B]

My Center channel is a Paradigm Studio Reference CC
Example: www.canuckaudiomart.com/details/139740-_paradigm_studio_cc_v2_center_speaker/
I will be buying new surrounds, maybe the Emotiva ERD-1

I will only use the center and surrounds for HT. I do watch movies often.

I'm buying a house in the next year or 2 so that will change things up a bit.

I was thinking that the UPA-1 Might sound better then the XPA-5, and since the Center is important in movies that should be the focus. The surrounds don't matter all that much it seems, and I doubt they will ever need much power.

[NorthStar]

Stick with the XPA series. ...Because later on you are going to upgrade to a bigger Paradigm Center speaker, and Surrounds too...

[Christopher B]

Nov 15, 2010 3:18:33 GMT -5 NorthStar said:

Stick with the XPA series. ...Because later on you are going to upgrade to a bigger Paradigm Center speaker, and Surrounds too...

lol, I already think the Paradigm Center is too big! I find it hard to place since i use a projector and it eats up real estate. Besides, the center just does voices primarily, why would you need a bigger unit?

The surrounds are just for special effect ect... would the ERD-1s not be appropriate?

EDIT: FYI the UPA-1 has MORE power then the XPA-5 for the center channel. 200/350 vs 200/300

[NorthStar]

Nov 15, 2010 3:36:31 GMT -5 Christopher B said:

Nov 15, 2010 3:18:33 GMT -5 NorthStar said:

Stick with the XPA series. ...Because later on you are going to upgrade to a bigger Paradigm Center speaker, and Surrounds too...

lol, I already think the Paradigm Center is too big! I find it hard to place since i use a projector and it eats up real estate. Besides, the center just does voices primarily, why would you need a bigger unit?

The surrounds are just for special effect ect... would the ERD-1s not be appropriate?

OK then, get the UPA-5 for only $429! ...You don't need the UPA-1.

* The ERD-1s are perfect for Surrounds.

And by the way, I know all your Paradigm speakers very well.

[badronald]

Go with the XPA-5 so the power is more closely matched with the XPA-1. My setup is going to be very similar to yours...two XPA-1's driving Paradigm Studio 100's for the Mains and an xpa-5 (or possibly an XPR-5) for the rest. I'm sure you will be happy with the ERD-1'S, IMO you should try and stick with paradigms studio's all around for better Timbre matching.

[hemster]

madeemperor, I think you'll love the combination of the XPA-5 and the Paradigms. I know I do!

Note to self: Need to save up for the XPR-5 or the XPR-7.

[paintedklown]

+1 on the XPA-5. There is just no substitute for additional power and headroom.

[NorthStar]

Nov 15, 2010 15:27:52 GMT -5 hemster said:

madeemperor, I think you'll love the combination of the XPA-5 and the Paradigms. I know I do!

Note to self: Need to save up for the XPR-5 or the XPR-7.

That's what I also told him. But he seems to know somethin' I don't!

* And I fully agree with Ron's above post; get Paradigm speakers all around.

1. XPR series amps all around.
2. Paradigm speakers all around.



Make life easy for yourself and your ears in your own room; get what makes most sense!

[Christopher B]

I want to thank everyone here for their help!

After much debate, I decided on what to get and bought it all today =D

(2) XPA-1
(1) UPA-1
(1) UPA-5
(3) Emotiva XLR Interconnects for L/C/R

ERD-1s (2) sets are a possibility, not sure yet.
XMC-1... well, when it comes out it's on my list.

FYI, this is replacing a Onkyo 797 (2003 $800 Receiver)

(PS, This is all Wife Approved... but I haven't the slightest idea how she will move these from the front door since I'm in Afghanistan atm lol.)