Two XPA-5s OR an XPA-2 plus XPA-5

[sebastianr]

Hello everyone, I am a bit new to A/V, so I thought I should put it in the Stupid Question Zone. (I asked a similar question in another forum and they steered me to the Emotiva site.)

I am currently running a 7.1 system. I have a pair of version 2 Paradigm S8s for my fronts, along with the matching C5. For my SL and SR I have Paradigm Monitor 9s and my SBL and SBR are Paradigm Monitor 3s. I plan to purchase a Marantz AV7005 processor. I use it for 80% movies and 20% music. It is a large room. What would be more beneficial to better sounding audio:

1) Buy 2 XPA-5s and passively bi-amp the front 3 channels using the speaker's internal crossovers?

2) Buy an XPA-2 for my S8s and power everything else with an XPA-5, and don't bi-amp anything?

Thank you for your thoughtful advice. Cheers!

[virtualpj]

Go with number two. In my opinion, there is no value in number one.

[sebastianr]

Thank you for your advice. I'm not really sure if passive biamping with 200w and 200w is any better,different or worse than just supplying the speakers with 300w of power in the first place.

Does anyone else have an opinion? I'm just looking for your thoughts...

Cheers!

[House]

option two ALL THE WAY! you will be glad you gave those power hungry S8's the extra umph!

[hemster]

As others have said, option 2 seems the way to go.

I love the Paradigms and I'm a long time, satisfied customer. ;D

[monkumonku]

Option 2 most definitely. The first one is totally unnecessary.

[oppman99]

Pretty well covered already, but I'll add my vote for option 2. You'll love it. Just remember to level match your channels with an SPL meter.

[sebastianr]

You are a great bunch of guys. Thank you everyone for your help!

[klinemj]

I'll pile onto option 2 also...I played w/biamping my Paradigm Studio 100's, and I far prefer the XPA-2 over using the XPA-5 to try passive biamping.

[jlafrenz]

Oct 25, 2010 11:24:47 GMT -5 virtualpj said:

Go with number two. In my opinion, there is no value in number one.

There is value in number one, speaking from experience

This is a difficult decision and I faced it myself at one point in time. The first thing I would ask is if you have ever bi-amped your speakers before? If not, then I would suggest trying it to see if you hear a difference with bi-amping. If so then the first option is a great option as I have been very pleased running 2 XPA-5's this way. If you do not hear a difference then the XPA-2/5 is a your best bet. Either way will be a great combo.

The dual XPA-5 setup was recommended to be because I was bi-amping before and it was a natural transition. I think it provided more benefit with having 2 amps to bi-amp from than just a single amp. Either combo you choose, you will benefit from having multiple power supplies.

[ny1pr2009]

If I was you I will choose option number two. Use the XPA-2 just for the fronts and the XPA-5 for the rest of the surrounds. No need to bi-amp. You have plenty of power to run all those speakers.

S8
Type: Three-way, monitor
Tweeter (size in inches, type): 1, beryllium
Midrange (size in inches, type): 7, aluminum
Woofer (size in inches, type): 7, polypropylene cone (4)
Nominal Impedance (ohms): 8
Recommended Amp Power (watts): 250

Emotiva XPA-2

•Power output (all channels driven):
500 watts RMS @ 4 ohm (0.1% THD)
300 watts RMS @ 8 ohm (0.1% THD)

XPA-5
•Power output (all channels driven):
300 watts RMS @ 4 ohm (0.1% THD)
200 watts RMS @ 8 ohm (0.1% THD)

[maseline98]

I'm awaiting the xmas sale. I'm thinking of getting the xpa-2 vs xpa-1s(shhhh...not gonna tell the wife how much they are going to cost....$600 or $700 honey...lol)...what the hell...she bought a benz...

EDIT: Either option will probably have me rewiring the outlets. I don't think 2-xpa1s and 1-xpa5 will run nicely on 1-15 amp(shared) breaker...

The same probably goes for the xpa2 as well...

[strindl]

The XPA-2 powering the fronts and the XPA-5 the rest is the way to go. Unless you can actively bi amp a speaker using an external electronic crossover, there is no real noticeable advantage to bi amping

[NorthStar]

Another vote for Option #2.

* Sebastian, call the technical chief engineer at Paradigm's headquarters from their customer support's number (name's Gary Takeda), and ask him the exact same question; see what he'll say to you (he's a great guy).

Bob