xpa5 vs xpa2

[selkec]

as the title says.....Im looking to get an xpa2 during the sale or may splurge for a xpr5 and sell my xpa5..... has anyone compared the xpa2 to the xpa5 for 2 ch use? The specs are close so since I dont do any critical listening and only loud partying, would I notice anything for 2 channel use during mp3 parties? or would I be better off selling my xpa5 and getting the xpr5 since I listen to loud music, not critical and mostly mp3's

;D

[Dark Ranger]

Hi selkec,

Just wondering what you're looking for in the new amp, more power/headroom? Are you running out of gas or clipping your XPA-5? I know you like to listen very loudly. If I attended your parties, I would be the guy digging out his earplugs. ;D

The XPA-2 is definitely a better sounding and more powerful amplifier than the XPA-5. If you're going for pure grunt, I think the XPR-5 is worth considering. It has higher output for two channel (500 watts into 8 ohms / 750 watts into 4 ohms) than even the XPA-2 (300 / 500).

EDIT: There is also the XPR-2 due out soon if you want a two-channel amp with more power than the XPA-2.

[selkec]

yes................... Im looking for pure grunt!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I thin the xpr2 wold be the way to go

[Dark Ranger]

The last podcast indicated that the XPR-2 should be available this month for sale.

It's gonna be a monster, that's for sure.

[RightinLA]

Nov 10, 2012 21:49:44 GMT -5 selkec said:

as the title says.....Im looking to get an xpa2 during the sale or may splurge for a xpr5 and sell my xpa5..... has anyone compared the xpa2 to the xpa5 for 2 ch use? The specs are close so since I dont do any critical listening and only loud partying, would I notice anything for 2 channel use during mp3 parties? or would I be better off selling my xpa5 and getting the xpr5 since I listen to loud music, not critical and mostly mp3's

;D

Keep your XPA-5 and get yourself a pair of XPA-1's and let your RTiA9's loose.
My older RTi12's love their XPA-1's. My iPod Nano is rocking them right now.

[The Mad Norseman]

Nov 10, 2012 22:26:25 GMT -5 RightinLA said:

Nov 10, 2012 21:49:44 GMT -5 selkec said:

as the title says.....Im looking to get an xpa2 during the sale or may splurge for a xpr5 and sell my xpa5..... has anyone compared the xpa2 to the xpa5 for 2 ch use? The specs are close so since I dont do any critical listening and only loud partying, would I notice anything for 2 channel use during mp3 parties? or would I be better off selling my xpa5 and getting the xpr5 since I listen to loud music, not critical and mostly mp3's
;D

Keep your XPA-5 and get yourself a pair of XPA-1's and let your RTiA9's loose.
My older RTi12's love their XPA-1's. My iPod Nano is rocking them right now.

I guess I don't get it...
Are the Polk RTiA9s really THAT inefficient that it makes that big of a difference? Others on this forum run those speakers and are also always talking abut needing more and more power...
(I'd keep the XPA-5 too, and maybe just add an XPA-2).

[RightinLA]

The RTi12's and RTiA9's have a nominal impedance of 8 ohms and are rated to 500 watts per channel which is XPA-1 territory.
They are relatively efficient at 90dB, but their three 7" subwoofers crave power.
The speaker has a lower -3dB limit of 30Hz and are rated down to 18Hz.
They are truly a full range speaker.

www.polkaudio.com/products/rti12
www.polkaudio.com/products/rtiA9

[knucklehead]

Nov 10, 2012 23:24:39 GMT -5 The Mad Norseman said:

Nov 10, 2012 22:26:25 GMT -5 RightinLA said:

Keep your XPA-5 and get yourself a pair of XPA-1's and let your RTiA9's loose.
My older RTi12's love their XPA-1's. My iPod Nano is rocking them right now.

I guess I don't get it...
Are the Polk RTiA9s really THAT inefficient that it makes that big of a difference? Others on this forum run those speakers and are also always talking abut needing more and more power...
(I'd keep the XPA-5 too, and maybe just add an XPA-2).

Don't be so logical. ;D

Those Polks are 90db efficient - and an 8 ohm load. Not 'difficult' by any means. And the reason they'll take 500w each is all the drivers in them.

You are right. the myth that speakers 'crave' power is just that - a myth. In fact its the speaker owner that crave more power. Hook up a pair of XPA-1s to those Polks and let er rip and there'd be one more guy gone deaf. Same for the XPA-2 - you'd hardly be able to tell the difference. The difference between the XPA-2 and XPA-1s driving those speakers is less than 3db at the top end - a place nobody is ever going to play music at. 3db is barely detectable as volume increase by the average human ear. Thats 3db of the old audiopool audiophile's favorite word - 'headroom'. Doesn't give you that much when you put it that way does it?

For the few that actually do listen at high volume should get high powered amps - the rest of us can 'settle' for something like a pair of UPA-1s which will drive my ERTs to louder than you care to hear.

[RightinLA]

I replaced my UPA-1's with the XPA-1's to drive the RTi12's.
I just love my new speakers.

[stiehl11]

Most people notice a difference going from their XPA-5 to either the XPA-2 or XPA-1; even at lower volumes. I know that I did as well when I did the same. Is it "a whole new world"? Well, if someone sits in your chair and messes up your butt-groove and it upsets you, then yes; it's kinda like that. I know that I appreciated the increase in perceived low end when I added the XPA-2 to my front speakers. However, as Chris mentioned in his original post, he's not a critical listener (and there's nothing wrong with that). Especially with mp3 files, he is not likely to notice much of a sonic change in what he's hearing. It will, however, be louder. Ultimately, if he only needs 5 channels of amplification an the upgrade bug has bitten him, he would do well to get the XPR-5 over the XPA-2 (IMO). I agree that, ideally, he would want the XPR-2; but sometimes you want what you want... now.

[kt10r]

Didn't you already have XPA-1's in your system? That should give you an idea if its going to be enough difference to worry about. With the partying it sounds like you'd be better off getting a few more speakers instead.

[Porscheguy]

I had both the XPA-2 and XPA-5 at the same time for about two or three months. I could not hear any differences in SQ between the two, or for that matter any Emotiva amplifier. If you have inefficient speakers (86db and below) you might notice the XPA-2 is a bit louder and slightly more dynamic, but that about it.

Emotiva builds all these models purely for marketing reasons and channel needs. Even the XPA-1's I have sound no different. They do have more headroom though.

Since when did we ever choose gear based on real substantive upgrade? Hardly. A good case in point is another forum member has a new XSP-1 and after many hours of comparison he honestly reports to me that he can hear no difference between it - and his UMC-1..........


We do it because we want to. I'm probably gonna get an XPR-5. Why?

I have no idea... :-)

[Deleted]

I've never heard the Polk's before, but their specs suggest no need for a high powered amp.

As a side note, I had at one time Magnepan 1.7's powered by an XPA-5 and then the XPA-2. The 2 had more bass impact but everything else was similar. Now, for power hungry speakers like Magnepan's, it's a no brainer to get a good high quality amplifier, especially if you like it loud.

[Dark Ranger]

I agree that for the majority of folks, an XPA-5 or XPA-2 would be plenty. However, we're talking about Chris here. ;D This is the guy who maxes out his SPL meter and silicones every window shut to keep them from rattling.

Chris is one of the only guys I know that likes it this loud. At these extreme levels, it's essential that the amp has enough clean power on tap to handle those parties.

For his 90 dB Polk RTiA9 at 1 meter (add 3 dB for a stereo pair):

1 watt = 90 dB
2 watts = 93 dB
4 watts = 96 dB
8 watts = 99 dB
16 watts = 102 dB
32 watts = 105 dB
64 watts = 108 dB
128 watts = 111 dB
256 watts = 114 dB
512 watts = 117 dB

Of course, this is a generalized behavior and does not account for every variable. In addition, SPL drops off according to the inverse square law, so that is another issue.

Chris, if you're certain that your XPA-5 isn't cutting it, I still recommend as much power as you can afford. If budget above $1,000 is an issue and you can only get one amp, I'd suggest the XPR-5 and just sell the XPA-5. Otherwise, if you can swallow the cost of the XPR-2, you could have that as a dedicated stereo amp freeing up the XPA-5 for your center/surrounds.

Just as a reminder, the XPRs are BIG amps and should really have a dedicated 15 or 20 amp circuit. In your case, I would strongly recommend a dedicated circuit because I know you'll make good use of the 3 kVA+ transformer.

Good luck either way.

[RightinLA]

The point is that in a large family room with a high ceiling the 500 wpc power of the XPA-1 and RTi12 or RTiA9's make a big difference. Selkec needs to get a pair of XPA-1's so his parties will rock to his RTiA9's. That's it that's all!

[selkec]

I once had the xpa1's and I agree it seemed to give my rtia9s alot more bass.... I just have the upgrade bug. I may wait and see how much the xpr2 will cost

[Deleted]

As PG mentioned, another member could hear no difference between the XSP-1 and the UMC-1. I concur. The fact of the matter is that *most* of the modern DACs sound very, very good. And the difference in sound quality among them is vanishingly small.

I've said it before, and I'm sure I'll say it another thousand times - if you already have very good electronics, the most bang for your buck will be obtained by acquiring better speakers, better source material, and improving the speaker/room interaction. Doing so will result in much better sound quality for the dollars spent...

-RW-

[kt10r]

Hey selkec do the front heights play when you have the pio on ext. stereo?

[aussie]

Nov 11, 2012 21:06:23 GMT -5 @rlw said:

As PG mentioned, another member could hear no difference between the XSP-1 and the UMC-1. I concur. The fact of the matter is that *most* of the modern DACs sound very, very good. And the difference in sound quality among them is vanishingly small.

I've said it before, and I'm sure I'll say it another thousand times - if you already have very good electronics, the most bang for your buck will be obtained by acquiring better speakers, better source material, and improving the speaker/room interaction. Doing so will result in much better sound quality for the dollars spent...

-RW-

I agree, but it's hard to justify one persons view on difference of sound quality as there is always so many variations that can contribute to this. Room acoustics, quality of all other things in the signal path, recordings, speakers, personal preferences and difference in one persons hearing as to anothers.

But I think room acoustics play as much if not more of a part than speakers or any other parts of a system in terms of what we hear. But all things need to be equal in the end to a point, power and control is very important for dynamics and high SPL volumes but we have to remember overdirving a speaker (either with a underpowered/or over powered amp is never a good thing for a speaker).

[Dark Ranger]

Nov 11, 2012 20:44:01 GMT -5 selkec said:

I just have the upgrade bug. I may wait and see how much the xpr2 will cost

According to the Emofest notes, the XPR-2 is stated to be $1,699. It offers 600 watts into 8 ohms and 1,200 watts into 4 ohms. With the current holiday sale price, the XPR-5 is the same price as the soon-to-be-released XPR-2.

Hope that helps.


EDIT: Emotiva may include the XPR-2 in the holiday sale, so the price could end up being lower than MSRP for a limited time.