Airmotiv 5 Set up Help Needed

[Darksky]

My Airmotiv 5s from the secret sale arrived a few moments ago. In the box there were two well packed speakers, two power cords and nothing else.
I have a few questions:

1. Each speaker has it's own volume control, it is not a master and slave set with an interconnect cable like I had expected. Are they all like this?

2. To hook this set to my computer, should I just use an 1/8 inch (or whatever the standard size plug that plugs into the sound card) splitter that adapts to two RCA plugs with two short RCA cables to reach the speakers?

3. Is there a little DAC that would use an 1/8 inch jumper from the sound card that has two RCA outs? If so which one do you reccomend?

4. Are the Airmotiv5s auto sensing of signal for power on?

What is the best way to hook these to my desktop computer? What is the most expedient way to do this?

Thanks for your help, I know I am quite inexperienced here.

The was also a card in the box, that stated, "go to EmotivaPro.com for a complete set of instructions". I could not find them on the site.

Just to be clear, I am not complaining about this deal- not at all.

-Brad

[hemster]

Oct 2, 2012 18:10:33 GMT -5 Darksky said:

My Airmotiv 5s from the secret sale arrived a few moments ago. In the box there were two well packed speakers, two power cords and nothing else.
I have a few questions:

1. Each speaker has it's own volume control, it is not a master and slave set with an interconnect cable like I had expected. Are they all like this?

2. To hook this set to my computer, should I just use an 1/8 inch (or whatever the standard size plug that plugs into the sound card) splitter that adapts to two RCA plugs with two short RCA cables to reach the speakers?

3. Is there a little DAC that would use an 1/8 inch jumper from the sound card that has two RCA outs? If so which one do you reccomend?

4. Are the Airmotiv5s auto sensing of signal for power on?

What is the best way to hook these to my desktop computer? What is the most expedient way to do this?

Thanks for your help, I know I am quite inexperienced here.

The was also a card in the box, that stated, "go to EmotivaPro.com for a complete set of instructions". I could not find them on the site.

Just to be clear, I am not complaining about this deal- not at all.

-Brad

Each Airmotiv speaker has its own volume control. Personally, I don't use it and prefer to use the volume control on the source (XDA-1 in my case). So the Airmotiv volume is set to max on my 6s.

You can connect to the computer as you suggest above but that means you're using the computer's DAC. Not the best as you know. A separate DAC is the way to go. You can use a USB DAC that plugs into the USB port of the computer and appears as a sound device on the computer. There are a few on the market. XDAs would work the same way.
Read here for some inexpensive options.

I leave my Airmotivs on all the time. They take hardly any power at idle.

The complete owner's manual for Airmotiv 5s can be found here.

The FAQ may also be useful.

If you have questions, either email [e-mail] or call them on 1-855-EMO-PRO1 (1-855-366-7761).

[chaosrv]

If you're looking for something small. I might suggest ordering an ODAC - a small asynch usb dac.

The thing is impressively tiny and sounds phenomenal. When I say tiny, I mean smaller than a deck of cards. You can get it either with an 1/8 inch out or rcas but there shouldn't be any difference in sound quality. I have one in my bedroom connecting a laptop to a min-x amp powering a pair of older Def Tech surrounds. I couldn't be happier with it. I might order a second for the office since my airmotiv 4's arrive tomorrow.

It doesn't have any control settings that can be changed - a signal comes in and a signal goes out..plug it in, stick it behind the computer and forget about it.

If you're feeling up to it and have a bit of skill you can go the DYI route with it - just order the pcb and build one yourself.

I got mine from JDS Labs. www.jdslabs.com/item.php?fetchitem=46
I think I ordered it on a monday and had it by friday, if not sooner.

By the way, I don't work for JDS Labs or the guy that designed the ODAC, I just love this little guy.

[Darksky]

Thank you gentlemen, I really did look at the EmoPro website and did not find the manual. Thank you for posting it. I will run out and get a six foot splitter cable tomorrow, so that I can at least hear the speakers until I decide about a DAC.

[Erwin.BE]

Congrats with your fine choice. I tried to get a second pair for my son's room from the sale, but the stock was only 120V.

The advantage of the volumecontrol of the airmotiv 4/5/6 is that it allows you to use a digital volumecontrol near it's max level. This way, you preserve all of the resolution. If the XDA-1 is to big, there's smaller devices alavable out there.

I read good comments on the recent little USB DragonFly DAC:

www.stereophile.com/content/audioquest-dragonfly-usb-da-converter

In my daughter's room, the XDA-1 was set at max output and the airmotiv 5 volume to min volume, then the volume of each speaker turned up to the loudest acceptible. This way, the XDA-1's volume is always in the upper (= best) end.

[Darksky]

I went and picked up an 1/8 to two RCA adapter this AM. These are some pretty shockingly good speakers. Even just running off of my soundcard ( It is a seperate and pretty high end) but I don't remember it's name offhand, they sound great.

I believe the Dragonfly is the DAC I will choose. I will wait until RMAF next week to see what is there. It will be nice to have something small like the Dragonfly or the ODAC to plug in and forget.

I should not have waited this long to get these speakers. Usually, I run the main room in multi channel and let the music waft up to me in the loft while I work at the computer, but having these monsters sitting on my desk will definitely change that.

This is my first set of folded ribbon tweeters, I must say, I am impressed.

Good show EMO.

Dan, Lonnie, et al, While in Denver this RMAF, I would like to take you and a few of your cohorts out to lunch at Pappadeaux's. It is a Cajun Seafood shack that is just a few minutes from the Marriot. Send me a PM or I will just see you there.

-Bradley

[DYohn]

Pappadeaux's is great. Have some oysters for me.

[Darksky]

Wish you could come up...

[AudioHTIT]

Oct 3, 2012 11:03:30 GMT -5 Darksky said:

I should not have waited this long to get these speakers. Usually, I run the main room in multi channel and let the music waft up to me in the loft while I work at the computer, but having these monsters sitting on my desk will definitely change that.
-Bradley

I have a similar setup, I work (and play) upstairs in the loft and often have the music on from below (another reason I like IP remotes). I too got a pair of AM5's for the loft, mine are still coming west, expected tomorrow.

[DYohn]

Oct 3, 2012 11:07:06 GMT -5 Darksky said:

Wish you could come up...

Thanks, I'd love to meet everyone, but Oct. 12 is my wife's B-day and we have plans for that weekend.

[Darksky]

Have a good time. Pass along my regards to the little bride.

[AudioHTIT]

Oct 3, 2012 11:13:30 GMT -5 DYohn said:

Thanks, I'd love to meet everyone, but Oct. 12 is my wife's B-day and we have plans for that weekend.

As the Beatles would say "It's my birthday too, yeah!" ... have a good weekend.

[Darksky]

Oct 3, 2012 11:09:58 GMT -5 AudioHTIT said:

Oct 3, 2012 11:03:30 GMT -5 Darksky said:

I have a similar setup, I work (and play) upstairs in the loft and often have the music on from below (another reason I like IP remotes). I too got a pair of AM5's for the loft, mine are still coming west, expected tomorrow.

I am sure you will be pleased. The bass extension suits me just fine, I see no "need" for a subwoofer for my application. They really are over the top as near field computer speakers.

[AudioHTIT]

Oct 3, 2012 11:19:11 GMT -5 Darksky said:

Oct 3, 2012 11:09:58 GMT -5 AudioHTIT said:

I have a similar setup, I work (and play) upstairs in the loft and often have the music on from below (another reason I like IP remotes). I too got a pair of AM5's for the loft, mine are still coming west, expected tomorrow.

I am sure you will be pleased. The bass extension suits me just fine, I see no "need" for a subwoofer for my application. They really are over the top as near field computer speakers.

Good to hear (oh ... how profound, if we couldn't none of us would be here :~), I'll use them more for mixing guitar tracks and I don't play bass all that often. But I'll also play CDs and other music through them, I think they'll work out nicely, I'm glad your happy with yours.

I asked in another thread but does anyone know if there's a problem using the XLR and RCA connections simultaneously?

[bobbyt]

Couple things to note.

That's not really a volume control on the speakers, it's a level setting to match between the two and then leave it.

You can use an 1/8" to RCA splitter from your PC, but may get hum and noise because computers are noisy. An external DAC is a far better option, but you need a preamp to control volume. A standalone DAC with no volume control will not work.

The XDA-1 is a DAC/preamp combo that will take a USB (or coax, or optical) signal from your PC, convert to analog, control the volume, and send the signal to your Airmotivs via RCA or XLR connectors. The Matrix Mini-i is another option.

[garbulky]

If you go xda-1 without a pre-amp just know that it has a "lossy" digital volume control. I have one and I want to get the xda-2 mainly for the analog volume control it has. If you have a pre-amp, then this would be of no issue.

[chaosrv]

Don't forget the XDA-1 is no longer available..at least not new.

[GreenKiwi]

Well, they pop up fairly regularly used.

[edoggrc51]

Good stuff. I have a pair of 5's coming my way this friday so all the info being shared is most helpful.

Thanks guys!

[stsandhu]

Oct 3, 2012 19:57:21 GMT -5 edoggrc51 said:

Good stuff. I have a pair of 5's coming my way this friday so all the info being shared is most helpful.

Thanks guys!

+ 1

Airmotiv 4's but you get the idea ;D