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Post by rfbrang on Dec 18, 2012 17:20:36 GMT -5
First time poster here at Emotiva with a few questions, please be kind  Technical: I recall reading a post that seemed to suggest more power is available to individual channels if fewer channels are used. I see 5 discrete circuit boards in the XPA-5, do these all get only 20% of the available system power? If only 3 channels were used on an XPA-5 would they get 33% of the available system power? Some other load balancing??? Our system: We bought into the idea that three identical speakers behind an acoustically transparent projection screen will make the front soundstage wide, seamless, and more immersive. So we got 3x Polk RTI A9 for our front three. They can take 500w each with three 7" cones and two 5" cones per speaker. Our room is 22'x19' with 8' ceilings so I figured about 300wpc each and we will have a compelling home theatre. Now I am looking for an amp under 1k, preferably under $900. I can't afford two XPA-2 for my desired wattage right now and I really don't want to wait for the 2013 holiday sale  . What would your do? XPA-5 or XPA-3 at 200wpc? Something else? |
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hemster
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Post by hemster on Dec 18, 2012 19:19:48 GMT -5
You should have no trouble filling your room nicely with an XPA-3. Remember that for most movies, all 3 channels are seldom driven at the same time.
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Post by roadrunner on Dec 18, 2012 22:22:54 GMT -5
You should have no trouble filling your room nicely with an XPA-3. Remember that for most movies, all 3 channels are seldom driven at the same time. Also, the Emotiva multi-channel amps have a shared power pool that each channel draws whatever power is need at any particular time. There is no set percentage of the total power available by each channel. With rfbrang's room and speakers the XPA-3 will easily handle his power needs. If he is looking at a 5.1 or 7.1 system, the XPA-5 may be a better option for him to consider, depending on what his other speakers will be. |
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Post by The Mad Norseman on Dec 18, 2012 22:40:55 GMT -5
The XPA-5 sounds like its tailor made for your situation!
Its got a bit more headroom than the '3' with the shared power source, but a true 200w is available to all 5 channels - all channels driven.
No problem only driving 3 or 4 of the 5 channels either, you'd just get something closer to 250w x 3 instead of 200w x 5 is all...
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Post by rfbrang on Dec 19, 2012 13:41:33 GMT -5
Thanks all, I really appreciate your replies.
That's the answer I have been wishing for. I have been leaning towards the XPA-5 since the first time I saw it, neutral, great power, and looks. Now that it's time to buy I just wanted to weigh my power options one more time before I take the plunge.
In case some decision makers read the newb section... I really like the power of the XPR-5 but don't have $ or the juice to drive it. Maybe there will be an XPR-3 next year that can run on a single 20a line. ;D
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bootman
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Post by bootman on Dec 19, 2012 15:30:02 GMT -5
It is on sale now.
Don't wait too long or they will be gone and when they come back it will be for full price.
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Post by rfbrang on Dec 19, 2012 16:43:02 GMT -5
Yeah, I wish I hadn't waited so long. I have to see if my neighbor can take delivery for me. I just checked on shipping and it wouldn't make it to me until the 26th, but we will be in a cabin up north. Expedited fedex is $100+ which just about negates any savings from the holiday sale. I'm such a procrastinator....
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Post by AudioHTIT on Dec 20, 2012 15:11:45 GMT -5
Thanks all, I really appreciate your replies. That's the answer I have been wishing for. I have been leaning towards the XPA-5 since the first time I saw it, neutral, great power, and looks. Now that it's time to buy I just wanted to weigh my power options one more time before I take the plunge. In case some decision makers read the newb section... I really like the power of the XPR-5 but don't have $ or the juice to drive it. Maybe there will be an XPR-3 next year that can run on a single 20a line. ;D Since the XPR-1 & 2 require a 20A circuit I wouldn't expect an XPR-3 to be any different. That said it is well documented that you can run any of the XPRs with a 15A adapter and it will work fine. If you really want an XPR now is the the time to buy that as well, 3 channels of an XPR-5 would be even less likely to ever require a 20A circuit. |
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Post by RichGuy on Dec 21, 2012 2:51:01 GMT -5
Having owned both, the XPA-3 and XPA-5 sound identical just one has more channels, using the XPA-5 for 3 channels would not be of any benefit at all.
The XPA-3 works wonderful for the front three channels and if you use your receivers power to power surrounds the surrounds also receive a benefit and sound better when the receiver no longer has to power the front three.
Using the XPA-5 to power the front three and surrounds your front three will sound the same as they would with the XPA-3 however your surrounds will benefit from the XPA-5 and sound even better than using the receivers power bringing the surrounds much more life.
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Post by Gary Cook on Dec 21, 2012 20:48:11 GMT -5
I had to return the loaned XPA-3 and XPA-2 this week, my uncle is back from his winter sabatical in the tropics. So I ordered an XPA-5 yesterday, Fedex today, should be here for New Year, maybe even Xmas Eve. I expect the same sound from the XPA-5 and the slight drop in power for the front pair doesn't concern me, I have never had them over 1/3 volume with the 5 x Ascension 91 dB 1w/1m speakers.
Merry Xmas
Gary
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. What would your do? XPA-5 or XPA-3 at 200wpc? Something else? 
