My XPA-3 Review -Bigred

[bigred7078]

Hey guys! so i have had my good ole XPA-3 since July. It is currently taking position at powering the center and surrounds.

This is an BADASS amplifier. It is powerful and makes its presence known. If you are looking to upgrade your front soundstage by giving a bit more boost to them than what your receiver can give....then this is the amp for you... If your looking for a great addition to your XPA-2 or any 2 channel amp...then this is the amp for you.

I first used this on my old Swan Diva 5.1's. It was definately an upgrade. The greater power was definately obvious. I never liked the bass output from the old 5.1's until i hooked up the XPA-3 to them. I put out some serious power and made the bass fuller and deeper.

I then got the Vienna Acoustic Mozart Grands. I like to use the RPA-1 with the viennas because i think it makes them a bit more lively since the viennas are a bit more laid back in general. But when i hooked up the XPA-3 to them good god was this awesome. I know my Mozarts only have 6" but these babies hit like colossal giants running a marathon!!! The soundstage was nice and big, and music was as clear as ever. Moives have an awesome impact with the XPA line. The level of slam just cant be outdone. I dont think the XPA-3 gets as much talk as the other amps, but i'll tell you what if your on the fence about this go ahead and give it a shot because i KNOW you will love this amp

Currently it provides an awesome HT experience for me by powering my hungry Maestro Grand center and the ERD-1's. Both these speakers are 4ohms so they are getting some serious power!!! and who doesnt like power ;D I'll end this by saying that i am in love with my current setup and the XPA-3 is a crucial reason why i do

-Steve

[bourbonncigars]

Always good to hear a positive review. Thanks, Red.

I'm about to order two XPA-5's, hopefully. I plan to passively bi-amp the front three channels, use two channels for the surrounds, and have two more channels on tap for 7.1 purposes. I still haven't quite decided on doing two XPA-5's or a 5 and a 3. Not sure when or even if I'll ever do a 7.1 setup.

[bigred7078]

Dec 4, 2008 13:14:09 GMT -5 bourbonncigars said:

Always good to hear a positive review. Thanks, Red.

I'm about to order two XPA-5's, hopefully. I plan to passively bi-amp the front three channels, use two channels for the surrounds, and have two more channels on tap for 7.1 purposes. I still haven't quite decided on doing two XPA-5's or a 5 and a 3. Not sure when or even if I'll ever do a 7.1 setup.

well you should love the dual XPA-5's That should be quite the setup indeed. If you ever do plan to go 7.1 then you might want to try the XPA-2 and XPA-5. But either route i know you will enjoy.

Im waiting for someone to use a couple XPA-3

[captiankirk28]

I just ordered a XPA-3 to power my SVS MTS-01s and my SVS MCS-01 i have a Pioneer 94 Elite for my surrounds for now. I hope i notice a big difference, i sure am looking forward to getting the XPA-3 and it will be here in 2 more days.

[mrflapjack]

How do you like the XPA-3 with the MTS speakers? I think that is going to be my combination pretty soon as well.

[dwight]

I am ordering the XPA-3 tomorrow for my MTS-01's/MCS-01. Do you notice an improvement with the XPA-3 and MTS-01's? I am going to use my Pioneer 84 Elite for the side surrounds and rear surrounds. I had to replace a tweeter on one of the MTS-01's as I suspect the avr didn't have sufficient power and perhaps clipping damaged the tweeter.

[skrainz]

I too am looking at the XPA-3 to power my MTS-01's. Seems to be a popular combo. I'm ready to pull the trigger but as the old adage goes "Too many wants, not enough means"!

I've had my MTS-01's for a couple of weeks and, after break-in and playing with room placement I'm very ;D with the sound. Right now I'm powering them with my Denon AVR-4308 but, I feel they're capable of more. Besides who couldn't use more power!

Can't wait to hear some feedback on the XPA-3/MTS-01 Combo.

[haugesynsar]

I`ve had the SVS MTS-01s and SVS MCS-01 combo a few months now.
Live in Norway but going for US produkts

I love everything about this combo, but I think my centre needs a little more power It has to do with the tweeter on women voices.

Today I set the x-over on my svs-pc12-nsd to 80hz, from 60hz, and the tweeter sounded a little better. That makes me think the centre needs more. The SVS-European branch, L-sound, also told me the centre should get plenty of power. This is where Emotiva comes inn, again
My plan is xpa-2 or 2 upa-01`s at this moment. I`m just waiting for UMC-1, so it can be shipped together. Need to get a "smart" shippment `cause it will probably cost me approximately $200. Yes that is for the shippment


EDIT: By the way, NORWAY is alway a step a head of you......about 6hours;-)

[RadTech]

Mar 18, 2010 14:17:04 GMT -5 haugesynsar said:

EDIT: By the way, NORWAY is alway a step a head of you......about 6hours;-)

Time is about all your ahead of us in.