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Post by theaterlover on Jan 2, 2013 15:03:20 GMT -5
I'm a little torn as to which is the better way to go.
I have a pretty beefy receiver (Onkyo TX-NR5008) that provides a fair amount of power, but can't quite do reference level with my mains (Salk HT-3, 4 Ohm, 84 dB which dip to 2 Ohm). I also have a Salk HT2C for center (4 Ohm, 88 dB).
This is in a large, loft like room (12' ceilings, 20'x20' listening area, that extends to 20'x50')
I see two options.
1) Buy an XPA-2 for the mains, leaving the receiver to drive the center and surrounds. Positives here are plenty of power for the mains. Negatives are that my LRC are not receiving the same quality/type of amplification.
or...
2) Buy an XPA-5 to bi-amp the HT-3s, and power the center, leaving the receiver for the surrounds only. Positives here are equal amplification across the front (LCR), and potentially a cleaner sound with bi-amping the mains. Negatives are possibly less overall power/headroom for the mains.
Any thoughts are appreciated.
Thanks!
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KeithL
Administrator 
Posts: 9,938
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Post by KeithL on Jan 2, 2013 15:05:37 GMT -5
I would go with the second option. You really want similar sounding amplifiers across the front speakers or you might notice a lack of continuity when things like voices move across the front. I'm a little torn as to which is the better way to go. I have a pretty beefy receiver (Onkyo TX-NR5008) that provides a fair amount of power, but can't quite do reference level with my mains (Salk HT-3, 4 Ohm, 84 dB which dip to 2 Ohm). I also have a Salk HT2C for center (4 Ohm, 88 dB). This is in a large, loft like room (12' ceilings, 20'x20' listening area, that extends to 20'x50') I see two options. 1) Buy an XPA-2 for the mains, leaving the receiver to drive the center and surrounds. Positives here are plenty of power for the mains. Negatives are that my LRC are not receiving the same quality/type of amplification. or... 2) Buy an XPA-5 to bi-amp the HT-3s, and power the center, leaving the receiver for the surrounds only. Positives here are equal amplification across the front (LCR), and potentially a cleaner sound with bi-amping the mains. Negatives are possibly less overall power/headroom for the mains. Any thoughts are appreciated. Thanks! |
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Post by theaterlover on Jan 2, 2013 15:17:42 GMT -5
Do you feel that an XPA-5, bi-amped, can handle that combined load comfortably? Or is it still possible it will go into protection mode as I get up towards reference levels?
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Post by ocezam on Jan 2, 2013 17:38:30 GMT -5
Do you feel that an XPA-5, bi-amped, can handle that combined load comfortably? Or is it still possible it will go into protection mode as I get up towards reference levels? I can't imagine the XPA-5 going into protection under the circumstances you just described. And your right, you do have a pretty beefy receiver. If it's going into protect now, and is healthy, then I don't think it would after you take away the responsibility of driving the mains and center. Heck, your taking away way more than half of it's power making duties. The XPA-5 is a heck of a home theater amp. My rec/amp combo is very similar in my theater. Onkyo's are notoriously hot even when idleing. If your's is going into protect for thermal reasons, the XPA-5 may not help. I've got a USB fan on top of mine that automatically runs when the rec is turned on, can't hear it. Similar to this: www.amazon.com/Targus-PA248U-Notebook-Chill-Pad/dp/B0000AKA8Y/ref=sr_1_27?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1357166224&sr=1-27&keywords=USB+fan |
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Post by jackfish on Jan 2, 2013 17:45:28 GMT -5
Or there is the XPA-3 to go across your LCR.
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Post by theaterlover on Jan 2, 2013 18:33:06 GMT -5
The Onkyo is kicking off just due to load. Temp is fine. Again, this is at very loud levels in a large room.
General feedback has been that an XPA-3 may not be enough to drive all three at that level.
An XPA-2 has been said to work really well (but obviously leaving off the center).
An XPA-5 offers a couple extra channels and would share the load over an XPA-3, but is still limited to 300 watts per channel @ 4 Ohm.
I've also been looking at a 5 channel Rotel RMB-1095 and a Adcom GFA-5500 + 5503 for the same idea. These offerings are roughly the same price, but by spec/review offer a little more oomph/power supply.
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Post by The Mad Norseman on Jan 2, 2013 18:41:28 GMT -5
I'm a little torn as to which is the better way to go. I have a pretty beefy receiver (Onkyo TX-NR5008) that provides a fair amount of power, but can't quite do reference level with my mains (Salk HT-3, 4 Ohm, 84 dB which dip to 2 Ohm). I also have a Salk HT2C for center (4 Ohm, 88 dB). This is in a large, loft like room (12' ceilings, 20'x20' listening area, that extends to 20'x50') I see two options. 1) Buy an XPA-2 for the mains, leaving the receiver to drive the center and surrounds. Positives here are plenty of power for the mains. Negatives are that my LRC are not receiving the same quality/type of amplification. or... 2) Buy an XPA-5 to bi-amp the HT-3s, and power the center, leaving the receiver for the surrounds only. Positives here are equal amplification across the front (LCR), and potentially a cleaner sound with bi-amping the mains. Negatives are possibly less overall power/headroom for the mains. Any thoughts are appreciated. Thanks! Option 2 definately! The XPA-5's 5 channels share a power supply, so most of the unused capacity that one channel isn't using is (mostly) available to the other four - bi-amped or not. Your receiver would be more than enough for the surrounds, and you'd be making 400w (theoretically) available for your fronts, and 200w for your center speaker. Later, you could add an XPA-2 to drive the fronts, and go to a 7.1 system with the XPA-5 driving all the others. |
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Post by ocezam on Jan 2, 2013 19:17:08 GMT -5
The Onkyo is kicking off just due to load. Temp is fine. Again, this is at very loud levels in a large room. General feedback has been that an XPA-3 may not be enough to drive all three at that level. An XPA-2 has been said to work really well (but obviously leaving off the center). An XPA-5 offers a couple extra channels and would share the load over an XPA-3, but is still limited to 300 watts per channel @ 4 Ohm. I've also been looking at a 5 channel Rotel RMB-1095 and a Adcom GFA-5500 + 5503 for the same idea. These offerings are roughly the same price, but by spec/review offer a little more oomph/power supply. I think the Rotel costs used more than what the XPA-5 does new with a 5 year warranty. I think the adcom new goes for quite a bit more than the Emo, doesn't it? Not many amps out there will give you as high of value as an Emotiva. ... |
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Post by ocezam on Jan 2, 2013 19:26:07 GMT -5
General feedback has been that an XPA-3 may not be enough to drive all three at that level. I don't know if I agree with this either, because passive bi-amping really doesn't help the load at the amplifier that much. Mainly you're getting a better power supply with the 5. And that is always good. I think either the 3 or 5 will help your receiver tremendously. While the receiver may be rated for 4 ohm speakers, it definitely will not drive them as easily as ANY Emotiva will. The 3 would be fine for your application IMHO. However if the finances for the 5 are not too big of a stretch for you, get it. You won't regret it. |
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Post by theaterlover on Jan 2, 2013 19:48:42 GMT -5
Yes, a Rotel RMB-1095 does cost a little more, used (and older), but it also has two 1.2 kVA transformers (vs say, one in the XPA-5). They are wired such that one transformer shares two channels, and the other three. So there is some benefit there.
The Adcoms would be used buys as well, and those two have some serious transformers. The GFA-5503 has a 2.2 kVA transformer, and the 5500 has a 1.5 kVA.
Both of these options would spread the load better than an XPA-5's single transformer, but yes, given that an XPA-5's power is similar to an XPA-2, it may have enough over the XPA-3 (50% more), to support the mains and center.
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Post by jackfish on Jan 3, 2013 10:32:08 GMT -5
Ok, how about an XPA-2 for the mains and an XPA-100 for the center?
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Post by theaterlover on Jan 3, 2013 12:54:12 GMT -5
Pairing an XPA-2 with an XPA-100 for the center, did cross my mind, but it would push the cost up around 35% and require more space.
Overall, I think I am leaning towards an XPA-5, but am still unsure if it will have enough to drive all three speakers at the level I am after.
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Post by deltadube on Jan 4, 2013 0:21:35 GMT -5
you seem so worried about power
just get the xpR 5
more power...
cheers
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Post by ocezam on Jan 4, 2013 8:34:10 GMT -5
Pairing an XPA-2 with an XPA-100 for the center, did cross my mind, but it would push the cost up around 35% and require more space. Overall, I think I am leaning towards an XPA-5, but am still unsure if it will have enough to drive all three speakers at the level I am after. Well if it won't (and I think it will) the used amps you mentioned won't either. To get any more volume. You'd need to double the power. So yeah you'd be looking for an XP R-5 or it's equivalent, if it even has one of those. In all my reading and talking to people, I've never heard anyone say the XPA-5 was lacking in power. |
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