The "Emotiva Blues" --- Those Crazy BRIGHT Lights

[Bonzo]

So I finally got my XPA-2 last week, but I have yet to give it a thorough run and complete listening test. I've made a few posts in another thread about the initial sound and maybe moving my speakers around etc, but that's another topic for now. I'll report on the final findings later.

But, one thing I will have to do with this thing if I keep it is dim or kill the blue power switch light. Emotiva was great about the 2 switches on back enabling me to turn off the monitoring lights. But they fell one switch short not doing this for the power button. A dimmer would have been awesome, or even a mutli-step switch, but at least an on/off switch like the others could have been added.

Now don't get me wrong, I am one who actually loves the looks of Emotiva stuff. I love the matte black with the silver accents and I actually like the blue lights when listening to music with the house lights on. It's not the overall styling I mind.

But when watching movies/TV etc with the house lights dimmed, the "Emotiva Blues" are like big blue flood light lasers beaming around the room. They are totally distracting and annoying. It's like a big "holy blinding crap Batman!" Yikes.

Surely I'm not the only person to have these feelings, but I don't recall seeing any threads on the topic either.

Option #1 is to do the same thing I did on my equally distracting DirecTV DVR blue light receiver ring. I made a perfect doughnut shaped black sticker and put it over the light. Now on that unit I can still see it, but it's like 90% dimmer than before. The thing is, that ring is bigger, and it's flat, so this fix was easy and works fine. On the Emotiva it's going to be harder to do and still look good. The ring is smaller and the button has a rounded shape. I'd rather not cover the entire power button (I think the logo is cool), just the outer ring, but that may be hard to do. So I'm looking for ideas, and that's where you come in.

Option #2 would be to find an alternative method of covering the ring. Has anyone else done something different to cover it? Maybe different materials other than a sticker? How about painting it? Any other ideas?

Option #3 might be to do something electronically to the unit itself, like just cut the blue light wire, or maybe install another on/off switch between the power source and the light. But I'm sure stuff like this would void the warrantee etc., so it's really not an option. Right?

So I think I'm really back to Options #1 and #2. Does anyone have any ideas or input or suggestions on the topic?

Thanks for you help ---- Bonzo ;D

[Entity]

It's like a big "holy blinding crap Batman!" Yikes.

You're not the first person to say this.

That being said...I never understood it. I mean, I have 5 pieces of Emotiva gear sitting up front and not a single one of them is "blinding". Noticeable if I look down? Absolutely! Blinding? I don't see how.

The thing I find most annoying is the varying level of blue that is displayed. The ring on the volume knob on the USP-1 is far brighter than the knob on the UMC-1. The power button on my XPA-5 is also brighter than the 4 other power buttons on my other gear. It sets my OCD into overdrive I've been seriously considering throwing some resistors in the bright areas of the units to even things out a bit.

I would suggest tape or a sticker. It may be difficult to get it right, but it would be reversible if some day you decide to put the unit on the used market.

[Dwayland]

I have been thinking of using "Plasti Dip" found at your local Home Depot in the spray can (paint) area. It's latex, so it is NOT permanent and can be removed very easily. Application is the only difficulty. I suggest, making a cone out of paper w/one end the size of the little blue lights and spray is down the cone.

"The author of this accepts no responsibility in the destruction of your fancy Emotiva gear." ;-)

Personally, I love the blue ambiance! :-)

[hemster]

^ The problem with spraying down into the paper cone is that you risk getting the stuff between the button and the surround. That'll cause the button to stick and possibly damage the control board inside if enough of the spray gets through.

How about this? Spray onto a piece of Scotch tape, let dry, measure and cut the circular button-sized piece of the tape and stick that on the button. Actually, you can make the circular tape part just a tad bigger than the button to cover any light leakage. This will make for a decent solution that is not permanent if you decide to sell the unit.

[musicfreak]

Give it some time. I initially called the light around the volume control on the USP-1 "the retina burning ring of death." Now it doesn't bother me.

The only thing I've noticed is that the ring around the power switches on the UPA-1s are equal brightness to each other while the power switch on the USP-1 is noticeably less bright. I'm not super concerned about it as I plan to move the the XSP-1 when it becomes available.

[Dwayland]

Jun 27, 2012 17:17:02 GMT -5 hemster said:

^ The problem with spraying down into the paper cone is that you risk getting the stuff between the button and the surround. That'll cause the button to stick and possibly damage the control board inside if enough of the spray gets through.

How about this? Spray onto a piece of Scotch tape, let dry, measure and cut the circular button-sized piece of the tape and stick that on the button. Actually, you can make the circular tape part just a tad bigger than the button to cover any light leakage. This will make for a decent solution that is not permanent if you decide to sell the unit.

Yeah, I was not intending on spraying any buttons, only the lights. I rushed to type and wasn't thinking. Yeah, most of the lights are back-lit buttons. Yeah, Do NOT spray those!

[dean70]

It would be nice to be able to dim the power button light somewhat. I have the amps located under a front projector screen & the lights can be distracting.

Have the same issue with HTPC case power & hdd lights (also blue). Put in a case fan resistor cable to dim down the leds - maybe something similar can be done for the XPA's?

[Pauly]

Yep, I'm with you on the lights. Can't stand them in my HT. But I love the blue glow in my two channel rig though.

I use black Gorilla Tape. It doesn't look great, but I never notice since it's never really bright enough in my HT to see it. Plus, it doesn't leave any mess like duct tape does.

[Pauly]

Jun 27, 2012 22:48:44 GMT -5 dean70 said:

It would be nice to be able to dim the power button light somewhat. I have the amps located under a front projector screen & the lights can be distracting.

Have the same issue with HTPC case power & hdd lights (also blue). Put in a case fan resistor cable to dim down the leds - maybe something similar can be done for the XPA's?

I know this doesn't help any, but the new XPR amps will have fully dimmable lights, and you can turn the power button light off as well. Nice.

[GreenKiwi]

I wonder if you could get some window tint? You might be able to go to a shop that installs it for cars and get some scraps. Cut it to match and put it in.

[Deleted]

The XDA-1 and USP-1 (which I own) can be rather distracting at times. Made plates for them, so only one light is showing on each. They need to reduce the number of lights on their products or make them defeatable.

[hemster]

Jun 28, 2012 1:28:55 GMT -5 @kraemerkid2119 said:

The XDA-1 and USP-1 (which I own) can be rather distracting at times. Made plates for them, so only one light is showing on each. They need to reduce the number of lights on their products or make them defeatable.

I love the lights.. I say make them dimmable with the range span between fully off to fully on.

[briank]

I took a nickel and placed it on black electrical tape to use as a guide to cut a perfect circle. The nickel size just leaves a little bit of blue "halo" around the power button and the tape is not really noticeable nor does it interfere with button operation. It's also easily removed without damaging anything if you decide to sell it down the road.

[jamesbaby]

I put electrical tape over them. In my main room with projector setup they lit up the room like crazy.

It really is nuts how bright the LEDs are.

[cgolf]

I like the "blue" and all of my equipment is on the side so the lights are not as distracting as they might be if the equipment was directly in front of me.

Yes, they can be distracting but here's how I use the lights.... Our media room is usually completly dark because we always have the lights off so I use the blue lights to tell me which equipment is still on when I'm turning everything off!!!! That way, I don't accidently leave an amp or other piece on...... ;D

[aliminas]

"the retina burning ring of death."
Best description so far, props.

[Deleted]

Another vote for black Gorilla tape. Looks like sh!t but what do I care? At least the damn Emo "Death By Blue" is avoided...

-RW-

[stiehl11]

I pop one of my OCD pills and a good movie and I don't notice the rack-full of blue lights on the side of my TV. If you notice the blue light, your projector is too dark or your movie sucks. ;D

[hemster]

Jun 28, 2012 9:06:22 GMT -5 stiehl11 said:

I pop one of my OCD pills and a good movie and I don't notice the rack-full of blue lights on the side of my TV. If you notice the blue light, your projector is too dark or your movie sucks. ;D

... or you need more/stronger OCD pills! ;D

[hemster]

Jun 28, 2012 8:30:23 GMT -5 aliminas said:

"the retina burning ring of death."
Best description so far, props.

For the millionth time, don't exaggerate! ;D


Maybe Emotiva should sell Emoshades for those with super-sensitive retinas...