Which amp or amps?

[deman]

Hello all.

I am new to the forum and home theatre in general. I have purchased 2 axiom m80s and a denon avr3311ci receiver.

I am now ready to purchase a seperate amp to run the m80s. I just dont know if seeming I will be adding another m80 or their version of it as a center channel (vp180) sooner or later what I should do.

Im lost in the proper setup.

A xpa3 to run the front three speakers and have the receiver run the surrounds?

A xpa2 to run the front left and right with a xpa3 running the center and surrounds.

Or all monoblocks running the system.

Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[sharkman]

I may be misunderstanding you, but do you only have the 2 speakers right now, and are deciding on the center channel and surrounds? The most common route is to get a dedicated center channel speaker, which is what I would recommend. Axiom's VP150 center would be a good fit, and the QS8 surrounds would round out the 5.1 or 7.1 as you prefer, depending on your budget. The VP180 is also a good option if you can afford it.

It might be a good idea, however, to get a description of the room your system is in, the size and whether there are a lot of open doorways or halls. A smaller room wouldn't need as much power and all of the Axiom speakers are very efficient, needing lower wattage levels to achieve reference levels. Also, will the system be used for movies only or some music/tv/gaming?

This is where the amp selection comes in. The Axiom speakers are rated at 4 to 6 ohms, which is a difficult load for a receiver to handle. But with those speakers having an efficiency rating of around 94 db in room(meaning with 1 watt of power at 1 yard away from the speaker you will get 94 db's which is quite loud), you won't need a big amp to get high sound levels above 100 decibels(hearing damage starts at 85 db). I would suggest a 5 or 7 channel amp that has 125 watts per channel, but Emotiva has no such amps in their line up anymore. You could get the XPA-3(I have this one) and have it run your fronts with the receiver running the surrounds to start out and see how you like it, or get 2 UPA-1 mono amps to run the surrounds.

But the best option would be the XPA-5, if you are looking at Emotiva. It's the most cost effective way to get into separate amplification. I am assuming that you are going with 5 speakers here though. If you are going with 7, Outlaw Audio makes a 7 channel amp that would be a good match, the 7125. Not quite as much power, but with those highly efficient speakers you won't need it.

hope this helps.

[Nemesis.ie]

I think there are a couple of other threads on this kind of thing already - for my money - UPA-1s are the best price/performance if you don't mind a lot of 2U units all over the place.

[deman]

I have a 4 level split main floor in open other then a wall seperating the livng room from the kitchen. measures 26' L x 16' W x 9' H..

Like mentioned i only have the m80s right now with a 15.3 funky wave sub on the way. At a later date I will be adding either another m80 or vp180 for the center channel. Along with qs8 for the surround sounds. I only plan a 5.1 system as it sits now. I use this system for everything. Music/games/tv/movies most of the day this system is in use doing something.

I would love the output as I crank the speakers to listen to them outside.

[gatortank]

Nemesis,ie..you couldn't be more rigth!Got my two UPA-1s in yesterday...And Soon they will be more of them!..all over the place!I will never use anything else for my set'up..

[gatortank]

sharkman..nice post!..

[sharkman]

May 20, 2011 12:07:29 GMT -5 deman said:

I have a 4 level split main floor in open other then a wall seperating the livng room from the kitchen. measures 26' L x 16' W x 9' H..

Like mentioned i only have the m80s right now with a 15.3 funky wave sub on the way. At a later date I will be adding either another m80 or vp180 for the center channel. Along with qs8 for the surround sounds. I only plan a 5.1 system as it sits now. I use this system for everything. Music/games/tv/movies most of the day this system is in use doing something.

I would love the output as I crank the speakers to listen to them outside.

Well 5 UPA-1's would do the trick, but they'd also cost $1750 plus the challenge to get them all plugged into the wall directly as Emotiva recommends not using power bars or conditioners. Plus a rack to fit them all and possibly longer cables. The XPA-5 is much cheaper and easier all around though 5 UPA's would have a slight edge for music reproduction. It all depends on your priorities, the Outlaw amp I mentioned would be good if you wanted a powered zone 2(maybe outside) down the road as it has 7 channels.

If it was me, I'd go with the XPA-5 for simplicity and ease of use. And the volume levels you will achieve with either amp will really knock your socks off!

[Nemesis.ie]

If you have a good quality power strip (like the ones used for server racks) and a suitable circuit/breaker you should be fine.

I've loads connected to power strips but do have 230v which helps.

[sharkman]

But since he mentioned he is new to home theater in general, I doubt he has a server rack or a power strip and suitable circuit breaker.

[deman]

Thanks for all the help.

My plan is to go with the xpa2 for now and when i complete my system with center and surrounds ill deal with the amp selection for them at that time.

[NorthStar]

May 20, 2011 18:23:15 GMT -5 deman said:

Thanks for all the help.

My plan is to go with the xpa2 for now and when i complete my system with center and surrounds ill deal with the amp selection for them at that time.

Excellent choice and wise thinking!

[sharkman]

I assumed you'd be piecing a system together in a shorter time frame, but the XPA-2 is a great pick in your situation. I would have bought it instead of the XPA-3 myself, but the sale price at the time was something I could not pass up and it does an excellent job for my 2 channel system. I just have one idle channel. Thinking about a passive sub for that down the road. It never ends!

It's good that you are dealing with internet companies as they tend to have sales. I'm not familiar with the Axiom site, but with a little digging you might find when their usual sales are.

[deman]

So just to enlighten everyone I have purchased a vp180 (axiom center channel) and within the next two weeks am planning the xpa-2 (running front l and r) and also a upa-1 (running the center) ]
I run the denon 3311ci receiver right now and at 0 db on movies the system I find sings..... However my music from any source at the same volume is somewhat bland and a let down. Turning the volume up at this point is not an option as the receiver can not handle it.

Any thoughts on this setup... These speakers need to open up and play so I can hear them outside. (this is 100 ft to the door and then open with fire place 50 ft from there.

[deman]

corretion its 90ft to the door add another 46ft to max listening distance.

[deman]

What a pain in the ass...

Got my 15.3 from funkywaves today. OMG not only is the craftsmenship over and above anything I've ever seen but the added bonus of solid hard and accurate bass is unbelievable..

However because of 95% of my electronics being on my main floor this is causing my alienware computer and hdtv sat box to run interference (ground loop) causing the unbareable hum. I believe I can solve the problem with filters. I am going to attempt that tomorrow hope all goes well. If anyone has suggestions feel free.

[Nemesis.ie]

May 29, 2011 1:40:35 GMT -5 deman said:

So just to enlighten everyone I have purchased a vp180 (axiom center channel) and within the next two weeks am planning the xpa-2 (running front l and r) and also a upa-1 (running the center) ]
I run the denon 3311ci receiver right now and at 0 db on movies the system I find sings..... However my music from any source at the same volume is somewhat bland and a let down. Turning the volume up at this point is not an option as the receiver can not handle it.

Any thoughts on this setup... These speakers need to open up and play so I can hear them outside. (this is 100 ft to the door and then open with fire place 50 ft from there.

Are you using Audyssey? Some folks have said it's not so hot with two channel (I assume that's what you mean by music) use. Maybe try disabling it if you can and see how it sounds?

You can also try adjusting your speakers (distance from walls, toe etc.).

[reaper60]

a power condition should take care of that problem. A decent one will run you about $300. Otherwise try to isolate things like the PC to a separate circuit breaker so as to eliminate the noise. Let us know how the XPA-2 and UPA-1 work out.

[deman]

UPA-1 along with the vp180 (which i purchased and sold to a relative upon arrival) has been put on hold as i've child number 3 is on the way. However the xpa-2 is music to my ears. I get so much more out of it when watching movies then I do listening to music though. Wonder why that is.

A conditioner I wasnt sure if that would solve the problem. I tried today a ground isolater to no prevail. So i continue. For now shut down pc, unplug sat box, power on system enjoy the benifits.

[deman]

I am using audyssey. I will disable it and tune to ear and see how that goes for now.

[Nemesis.ie]

May 20, 2011 16:26:52 GMT -5 sharkman said:

But since he mentioned he is new to home theater in general, I doubt he has a server rack or a power strip and suitable circuit breaker.

I said nothing about having a server rack, the power strip can be purchased, the circuit breaker can be checked/upgraded ...