New to the forum and new to nice equipment.

[401jas]

Hello everyone. My name is Jason and I'll be buying an XPA-5 real soon. My current receiver does not have any pre amp out puts so i'm looking for one that does. I've been thinking about the UMC-1 to do the job, but that puts me well over 1k in expenses.

I currently have a Bose Acoustimass 10 for speakers (and no, I'm not a Bose leg humper) and a Klipsch 400w 10" SW.

Does anybody have any experience with how driving the bose cubes and the bose bass module with a XPA-5?

Thank you all for any input. I'm real new at all this and have lived in the "all in one" receiver world, when it comes to home theater.

Oh, I love loud, clean, crisp, music and action packed movies. The more I have to vibration proof my house the better.

Cheers
Jason

[NorthStar]

Welcome Jason to the Lounge!

First, before you purchase an XPA-5, choose some speakers you like the sound from your ears.

And if you intend to keep your 'Bose cubes', just keep driving them with your actual receiver.
{What is your actual receiver?}

Cheers,
Bob

[401jas]

So, don't let the XPA-5 run the bose system? I want small speakers. The reason I bought the Bose was to get away from large floor standing speakers. The klipsch SW really helps out with the bass. Are the bose that bad?

[NorthStar]

No, but you don't need an XPA-5 to drive them.

[401jas]

What should I buy for speakers then. Help a new guy out. I would like a nice blend of sound. I'm not to picky, i want movies to be loud and clear. My 100x5 receiver can not do it. I want the 200wx5. That's why I wanted to drive the Bose with the xpa-5 to get more out of them.

If they are junk please let me know. Ill sell them and buy something that can handle the extra power.

[dad311]

I don't thank Bose are bad, it's just a lot better can be had for a lot less money. Bose is really good at marketing, maybe better at marketing then actual sound quality.

The most important piece of an audio system are the speakers. Before spending any money on any processor, amp, etc, you need to figure out what type of speakers/sound your looking for. Speaker size will depend greatly on room size. If you have a 8x8 room Bose might sound fine, however if you have a larger room (20x20) you will need larger speakers to fill the room with sound.

Everyone on this forum will have a speaker preference, there is not a right or a wrong answer, only personal taste. My recommendation is to visit some stores that sell high end speakers, take a listen and see what you like. There are several online companies that will give you a 30 day at home demo with some with FREE return shipping if you don't like what you hear.

I think if I was just starting a new system I would order speakers from 2-3 online companies and demo all three at home and then return the two I didn't like. Make sure to checkout Aperion, Audioengine and Axiom to name a few. Local hi end dealers should also let you do a at home demo, if not move on.

Just starting out I would buy a AVR with pre-outs maybe a Denon or Onkyo. Buy the AVR and speakers and a amp at a later date if needed.

Spend your money wisely, do you homework!

One thing is for sure, if you hook a XPA-5 to a small set of Bose, you will need new speakers.

[SticknStones]

You have options my friend and we are all constrained by budgets. One idea is to get the UPA-2 for 2 channel and the UMC which will have you at $800. Then as you determine upgrades on Speakers you can put the UPA-2 on surround duty and get an XPA-3 if you are going to stay with 5 channels.

I did a phased upgrade myself where I started with the XPA-3, then ERC, then UMC, then 2 XPA-2's, then 2 Ultra 12's, then upgraded my B&W from 804 to 802 then added..............3 years later her I am now waiting on the XMC!

What is nice about a phased approach as you can truly appreciate each notch of audio improvement.

Stay within your means and be patient but as others mentioned think long term and homework.

Welcome to our Forum and have a great time.

[401jas]

Dad311, thank you for your reply. I bought the Bose used so I didn't dish out the retail. I do have a set of Bose 701 series I speakers. They sound great to me, but I moved them out of the living room because they were just to big.

Should I use those and buy new surrounds and a new center?

Could you steer me towards something small but powerful.

Thanks!

[NorthStar]

Jason, let start with your room first. What are the dimensions?

And second, what is your total budget for that full Cinema surround immersion?

And tell us more on what you have right now; receiver, screen display, etc.

[401jas]

Thanks again for everyone's input. I think the XPA-5 is great because it's balanced. I don't want to buy another receiver just to get the needed per-amp outputs, so that's why Im looking at the UMC-1.

Ive got some speaker research to do.

[401jas]

My current space is 15x15. I've got a 55" led tv, 10" 400w klipsch sub. My current receiver doesn't have any pre amp outs so it needs replacement. I will be stuck with small living room for another 8 years since I'm military and I live in base housing. My budget is $2500 $3000.

[USAFRetired]

Nov 18, 2011 21:49:29 GMT -5 401jas said:

My current space is 15x15. I've got a 55" led tv, 10" 400w klipsch sub. My current receiver doesn't have any pre amp outs so it needs replacement. I will be stuck with small living room for another 8 years since I'm military and I live in base housing. My budget is $2500 $3000.

I lived in base housing almost my entire military career so I can feel your pain. AAFES used to be a great place to make audio purchases however those days are gone. You can still get decent recievers however I think the price is beatable off base and service is certainly more available if you have an issue. I am using a Denon as my pre, it does a good job and I know you can get one through the exchange. Speakerwise, I did the Bose thing myself, I still have the AM-7's out in my garage along with a pair of Klispch Heresy II I also bought through the exchange in Japan. Klispch makes some good theater speakers, lot's of volume. I know not much help. the best bet is to just get out and listen to different speakers at different locations and go with what your ears tell you. Small speakers can mean small sound, however there are some good ones out there.

[dad311]

Nov 18, 2011 21:41:20 GMT -5 401jas said:

Thanks again for everyone's input. I think the XPA-5 is great because it's balanced. I don't want to buy another receiver just to get the needed per-amp outputs, so that's why Im looking at the UMC-1.

Ive got some speaker research to do.

The UMC-1 doesn't have balanced outputs, except for the SUB. However, the XMC-1 will (and you will have a 40% off card). Keep in mind the UMC-1 is not fully baked. I love mine, but others will paint a different picture.

What ever you buy, save all your boxes, one day you will need them. I alway break my boxes down and store them.

Im not the one to recommend smaller speaker, but if you are set on a UMC/XPA-5 setup, your speaker choice will be wide open. You should have about $1500 left over for speakers. If you can buy all 5 speakers for $1500 great, if not focus your money on the front 3 speakers and buy the other 2 later. The front three speakers are the most important, make sure they are what you want and don't settle for less.

Good luck and thanks for your service.

[NorthStar]

Jason, here's what me think. ...With your $2,500-3000 budget.

1. Get another sub, a 10 incher, like your Klipsch one. ...Few hundred bucks.
2. Check Klipsch speakers; with 6 inchers woofers all around. Don't need to be tower speakers, but you need to consider the speakers stands (Front L & R) cost. That's five speakers, or perhaps seven, eventually but not truly necessary. ...A thou or so.
3. You did not mention your receiver; but I would recommend a receiver from the caliber of an
Onkyo TX-NR1009 ($899.99) => www.us.onkyo.com/model.cfm?m=TX-NR1009&class=Receiver&p=i
4. If you don't have a Blu-ray player already, ...but I bet you do!
...Good ones nowadays cost about $100 or so.
5. Speaker wires (14AWG) from MonoPrice or Blu Jeans Cable.

That's it! All you really need for your 15' by 15' room, and within your minimum budget.

* Those Klipsch speakers are going to fill your room with all the sound you need.
And that second subwoofer will help big time in your square room.
And that Onkyo receiver will also help in that room with Audyssey MultEQ XT and the two subwoofers EQ.
===> You will feel the full Cinematic impact I guaranty you.
...Simple as that. You just don't need an XPA-5, so take that out of your mind.
Even less Balanced connections. And the UMC-1 would not help you for one bit in your very tough to EQ room! ...And that, trust me, you need a good EQ system!

[Davecski65]

Hey Jason,Welcome to the lounge.You will luv this place as it is very addicting. Now if you are looking for small speakers with great sound for The H/T experience,well i can say check out Orb Audio,I have there peoples choice setup and i and running with the now discontinued UPA-5,which i luv,The sound is awesome all my friends says it like being in a movie theater.But this is cause my room is finished and have sound attributes,so it makes a differenece.Now i too lived in military housing for quite awhile during my time with the military(Navy) SanDiego!..so not sure if its still tile floors and plain walls,you may have a hard time making anything sound good with all the bouncing off walls floors and ceilings,that thoise places can have.Anyway good luck with your search,def,check out www.orbaudio.com

[DYohn]

The best sounding small system I've ever heard is made by Gallo. IMO Bose blows. And not because of the brand or its marketing practices, but because I think the sound quality stinks.

[ausman]

i'd fpr the 5008 and got with 5508/09

[401jas]

I've done the best job I can with the room by laying down a huge thick rug and hung some large artwork on the wall to help with the acoustics. Looks like I'm going to go with 4 nice bookshelf speakers and a nice center. I'll see how it goes with one sub for now and add another if needed.

Thanks for all the help and links.

[Davecski65]

Great so you have done some of those things needed to get some better sound.So if your looking to get some nice great sounding bookshelf speakers,Then the only way to go is ERM-6.2s,with the great price and awsome sound you cant go wrong for 600.00 you can get LCR channels and some ERD-1 for the rears,Then you are set with and awsome H/T setup with and XPA-5running then,Will be one great setup.I had a chance to audition some ERM-1s baby brother to 6.2s,they sounded great and i am getting ready too pull the trigger on 3 of them.Lots of great reviews on them.More food for thought.

[Davecski65]

As djohn said earlier,the ballos are an awsome speakers too,but rember they come with a price too,,the ORBs are from a guy that used to be with gallo,hence the somewhat same look,but without the price.