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Post by kowalski on Oct 17, 2011 7:31:13 GMT -5
I was looking at Bowers and Wilkins stuff at the big box store locally. I don't mind having towers in the front so long as they're more of a compact design. I was concerned since most of the stuff I find doesn't support 200 watts. While I don't ever plan on running the amp flat out I don't want to cause any issues either...  |
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hemster
Global Moderator 
Particle Manufacturer
...still listening... still watching
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Post by hemster on Oct 17, 2011 7:43:10 GMT -5
Hi kowalski, Welcome to the lounge!
There are quite a few forum members that use B&W speakers. I've listened to the 684s. They sounded good but that was paired with a Yamaha receiver and the store had that set to use some weird soundfield.
B&W make great speakers. I believe they'll really come alive when married with your XPA-5. Others to think about are Aperion, KEF (not the very low-end models) and Emotiva's 6.3/8.3. The latter are on clearance and sound really good - and the price is unbeatable.
Good luck and keep us posted here with your progress.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Oct 17, 2011 11:43:43 GMT -5
Welcome to the lounge  First off! When you see how much a speaker can handle or its max power handling number. Forget it. Unless you turn the volume up to stupid ear bleeding levels, don't worry. B&W are nice but IMO but you can do better (I just never liked the sound of these speakers when compared to similar priced speakers). If you are looking for a compact system. Go for a set of monitors and a sub Good luck!! |
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Post by Porscheguy on Oct 17, 2011 12:09:44 GMT -5
Welcome. You have already answered your question. Good speakers is what you need. There are dozens of good ones so there is no right answer. The amp doesn't matter because the XPA-5 is a good one as well and will send plenty of good, clean power to your speakers. Your speakers do not know or care what amp is driving them as long as its quality. The power rating of the Emo amps really mean nothing. They will all drive almost any speaker made so no worries there.
I would be inclined to buy speakers ID because you get more for your money. If you buy BW speakers from BB, they get half of the purchase price for profit....
Personally I think Aperion is a great value as are speakers right hear at Emo, but there is no real right answer..
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jlafrenz
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I don't want to jump in, unless this music's thumping
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Post by jlafrenz on Oct 17, 2011 19:16:23 GMT -5
I was looking at Bowers and Wilkins stuff at the big box store locally. I don't mind having towers in the front so long as they're more of a compact design. I was concerned since most of the stuff I find doesn't support 200 watts. While I don't ever plan on running the amp flat out I don't want to cause any issues either... Find speakers that you like and don't worry about it. The XPA-5 will work just fine and have plenty of juice for when you do want to listen a bit louder or have a dynamic song/movie playing. The most important thing here is that you pick speakers that have the sonic characteristics that you enjoy listening to. |
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Post by mole on Oct 17, 2011 19:23:19 GMT -5
Polk LSi system
LSi15 ; LSiC ; LSi7/9
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Oct 17, 2011 19:24:57 GMT -5
great advice.. you sound like a mod.....   seriously, Judd is right. Listen to as many speakers as you can find. Play the same music - music that is very familiar to you - on each of the speakers. Take notes. The best place to do this is in your own home but that may be impractical. Listen and find the speakers that have a sound that appeals to your ears, and begin to narrow down your choices until you are ready to make a buy-decision. The XPA-5 will mate quite well with a LOT of speakers available. Best of luck. I was looking at Bowers and Wilkins stuff at the big box store locally. I don't mind having towers in the front so long as they're more of a compact design. I was concerned since most of the stuff I find doesn't support 200 watts. While I don't ever plan on running the amp flat out I don't want to cause any issues either... Find speakers that you like and don't worry about it. The XPA-5 will work just fine and have plenty of juice for when you do want to listen a bit louder or have a dynamic song/movie playing. The most important thing here is that you pick speakers that have the sonic characteristics that you enjoy listening to. |
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cgolf
Emo VIPs 
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Post by cgolf on Oct 17, 2011 20:52:17 GMT -5
The real question is not what speakers sound good with the XPA-5, implying some might and some might not.
To me the question is what speakers sound good to you? Find them, pair them up with an XPA-5 and they will more than likely sound even better!! ;D
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klinemj
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Post by klinemj on Oct 17, 2011 21:07:58 GMT -5
kowalski...I don't really worry about max power handling capabilities of a speaker, as the others have also said. More than that, I find that I am more worried about not having enough amp to power speakers to the volume level I desire. Really inefficient speakers will suck power big time and not get loud...and that's where I have had more issues than worrying about the other end of the spectrum. If an amp had to be driven really hard (ie, into clipping) to make the volume you want, that will be a problem for your speakers far more than having an amp that's idling to make efficient speakers loud enough.
And oh by the way...if you get an X-series amp and have very efficient speakers, your amp will be running in Class A mode for most of your listening. And some really like that.
So, find some speakers you like the sound of, make sure they are not really inefficient, pair them with an X-series amp, and listen to them sing.
Mark
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Post by amplified on Oct 17, 2011 22:26:54 GMT -5
I have infinity classia speakers paired with my Xpa 5
And they sound fantastic. Crystal clear at all volumes.
Check them out .. was originally 5k and can be had for around 1500 if you shop around.
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Post by matt34 on Oct 17, 2011 23:16:51 GMT -5
My recommendation comes at the end of a weekend listening to a bunch of different speakers up and down the price ladder. This is a copy and past of what I thought of the Angel City Audio Trinitys. "To give people reading an example of how good I think the trinitys are, I perferred them over the Salk songtowers with the upgraded ribbon tweeter, the Polk lsi707 towers, the Atlantic technologies AT-1, the $20k, 300lb Voce Audio floor standers and many others. " At the very least worth a look. I'm ordering a trio in a couple months. www.eaststreetaudio.com/Products/81-aca-trinity.aspx |
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USAFRetired
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New Receiver onboard Denon RIP
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Post by USAFRetired on Oct 20, 2011 18:52:06 GMT -5
Very happy with my B & W 600 series 3's. If I were a rich man I would have the 800 series, even though I have never heard them.
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NorthStar
Seeker Of Truth
"And it stoned me to my soul" - Van Morrison
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Post by NorthStar on Oct 20, 2011 20:13:43 GMT -5
Just a pure and simple remark; the title of this thread is very unique. Normally, you would expect to see more of an amp to be matched (paired) with speakers than vice versa like here. That's all. About Revel, or Paradigm speakers? ...B&W speakers, vary good to. |
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