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Post by Whoop on Sept 24, 2013 1:37:09 GMT -5
Hi,
As the topic asks; which is the better option for a pair of JBL 4430, XPR-2 or a pair of XPA-1's (other options are also interesting, so all suggestions are highly welcome)? It would also be great to know why one is better than the other. Here is a link to the specs of the JBL 4430's if someone needs a peek. For your ease, here are some specs of the loudspeakers (lots more in the specs sheet):
Currently using a 1st gen XPA-2 which I bought second hand, as I live in Europe and wanted to try the brand before I got something better. The XPA-2 does sound very good and indeed plays really loud, but I'm in the process of learning how to use REW to optimize the system, and I'm afraid I'll have some ugly drops which will require a lot of headroom to correct with EQ.
PS: Can a mod please approve my acct?
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Post by deltadube on Sept 24, 2013 1:44:29 GMT -5
mono blocks..
cheers
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Post by Whoop on Sept 24, 2013 2:03:50 GMT -5
LOL, would you care to elaborate on why. XPR-1 is also an option, but question is if it is worth the extra cost? Living in Europe shipping is quite pricey.
So my options are
XPR-1
XPA-1
XPR-2
hehe, talking to you guys I'm thinking I'll end up with the XPR-1s. Here voltage is 220-240V, and 16A fuses are commonplace so I don't need to install a dedicated power line either.
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Post by novisnick on Sept 24, 2013 17:06:37 GMT -5
You've already made up your mind. 16 amp , don't need to change. Gotcha!
Monos Baby!
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Flunk
Sensei
Just got a new job.....
Posts: 171
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Post by Flunk on Sept 24, 2013 17:13:07 GMT -5
You've already made up your mind. 16 amp , don't need to change. Gotcha! Monos Baby! And now Monos baby! You are on a roll man.  |
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Post by The Mad Norseman on Sept 24, 2013 18:10:51 GMT -5
VERY sweet speakers! I'd go for an XPR-2 for a two channel set up.  |
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Post by dally on Sept 24, 2013 18:42:22 GMT -5
The XPA-1 gen 2 amps are going to have the first 60 watts in class A. DEFINATELY worth considering. They should have LOTS of headroom for your relatively efficient JBL's.
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Post by Kent on Sept 24, 2013 18:59:56 GMT -5
Hello my friend,
Honestly I think they'd both sound great on your speakers. For a accurate answer I'd call Emotiva on this one if I were you:) I'm sure they've A/B'd the amps and would able to describe the differences. Both options have more than enough power so that isn't the issue of course. I would guess...AND ONLY GUESS as I've never compared them that the XPR-2 would sound a little better/refined possibly because there are less compromises as far as internal parts used goes.
Good luck!
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Post by dally on Sept 24, 2013 20:08:40 GMT -5
I know that Lonnie (the amps designer) stated some time ago, that the XPA-1 would remain SQ champ over the XPR line.
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Post by chicagorspec on Sept 24, 2013 20:43:25 GMT -5
Can you please provide that link? Thanks.
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Post by Guesticles on Sept 25, 2013 5:45:47 GMT -5
The XPA-2 uses an op amp for its balanced input, but runs straight into a transistor when using the unbalanced RCA input.
The XPA-1 uses transistors on its balanced input.
I would suggest that if the XPR amps are the same typology that if you are using balanced signals to buy the XPR-1, but if using RCA then buy the XPR-2. However this only applies if the typology of the XPR amps are the same as the XPA. Can anyone confirm?
I say this because you may prefer not to have the signal running through an op-amp. However you may not care. In which case the XPR-1 is nearly double the power of an XPR-2 so, this means in terms of SPL, the XPR-1 can play about 2dB louder than an XPR-2. Or you could also say, the XPR-1 has about 2dB more "headroom" than an XPR-2. If you tend to play your music loud and sit a fair way away from your speakers, then the XPR-1 may give you a little more stereo separation and control to the sound. However if you only listen at moderate levels and reasonably close, then the XPR-2 will do the job. It also depends if you have ever run out of power when using your XPA-2? If so, then a more powerful amp will be beneficial, however the XPR-2 onlys give you an extra 300 Watts over the XPA-2, which means you could get an extra 3dB SPL from your speakers.
The main thing I would like to know is if anyone has compared the sound quality of an XPA-2 to an XPR-2. Is one significantly better than the other? I own an XPA-2 and can say it is quite good. For me to buy a new amp it would have to sound considerably better in all areas.
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Post by deltadube on Sept 25, 2013 11:45:21 GMT -5
I know that Lonnie (the amps designer) stated some time ago, that the XPA-1 would remain SQ champ over the XPR line. wow is this a really true statement by Lonnie? or just passed on hearsay? cheers |
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Post by dally on Sept 25, 2013 16:43:42 GMT -5
I know that Lonnie (the amps designer) stated some time ago, that the XPA-1 would remain SQ champ over the XPR line. wow is this a really true statement by Lonnie? or just passed on hearsay? cheers I read this in a post quite a long time ago. Definitely not hearsay. I've looked for awhile but I can't find the thread. Maybe some of the long time forum members could back me up on this? What he said was something to the effect of: " the xpr amplifiers were designed with max power output in mind. They sound phenomenal, but for those looking for the best SQ in the Emo lineup, the xpa-1 is still the amp to beat." |
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Post by deltadube on Sept 25, 2013 18:06:01 GMT -5
wow being an xpa 1 owner that is something.. but many have said the xpr 1 sounds better tho...
someone on the forum i know just bought 2 xpr 1s hope they are not disappointed..
any emo staff back that statement up?
cheers
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Post by Jim on Sept 25, 2013 19:03:32 GMT -5
The 4430s are only rated at 300 watts pink noise. A pair of XPA-1s would be plenty. I don't see any need for an XPR amp
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Post by chicagorspec on Sept 25, 2013 19:34:14 GMT -5
Since this is now confirmed as not hearsay, please post that link when you find it, because I know I am definitely curious to read Lonnie's thoughts about the inferiority of the XPR line.
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Post by Jim on Sept 25, 2013 20:12:19 GMT -5
Since this is now confirmed as not hearsay, please post that link when you find it, because I know I am definitely curious to read Lonnie's thoughts about the inferiority of the XPR line. I've read the same post, I think it's buried in one of the XPR threads, posted months and months ago. There is no "inferiority" in the XPR line. If I recall, his only comment was regarding the focus for the XPA was quality, and the XPR was power (I may be wrong here, it was a very old post). They're different amps with different purposes, albeit their guts are still very very similar. The primary difference is merely the XPR has a class-H power supply. Don't read too much into it. The answer is simple, if you need the power, buy the XPR. If you don't, then buy an XPA. |
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Post by Jim on Sept 25, 2013 20:25:31 GMT -5
This wasn't the post in question, but I thought it was relevant: If you are a hardcore audiophile, is it class A/B the best choice than class H amps? Class H run cooler and more power due to its efficient design but with higher distortion. It seems that XPR are class H design and wondering if XPR are meant for home theater instead of high fidelity like XPA/UPA class A/B topology. This is probably going to be one of the most debated questions in regards to these two series of amps. So I believe this debate will go on long after the XPRs are released and for good reason. I can honestly say that they both sound great! Each has its own character and as such its own sound. So in the end it will really come down to the individual to decide which is best for them. Once the XPRs arrive and make it into the wild, I look forward to reading the comments from everyone. The XPAs have been well documented in regards to how they sound and in how they are used with different equipment so it will take a little time for enough reviews to surface on the XPRs, but one thing is for sure. I seriously doubt anyone will ever say "The XPRs just didn't have enough power for my speakers." ;D |
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Post by chicagorspec on Sept 25, 2013 20:33:12 GMT -5
Thanks for digging that out, Jim. That's quite a bit different than "the XPA-1 would remain SQ champ over the XPR line", as suggested earlier.
I have no experience with XPR-2, but had XPA-1s and XPR-1s at the same time, and preferred the XPRs for bass impact and control and what seemed a less fatiguing, easier to listen longer sound. I believe we would all feel that the OP won't go too wrong with either of his proposed choices. Good luck!
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Post by dally on Sept 25, 2013 21:44:18 GMT -5
Thanks for digging that out, Jim. That's quite a bit different than "the XPA-1 would remain SQ champ over the XPR line", as suggested earlier. I have no experience with XPR-2, but had XPA-1s and XPR-1s at the same time, and preferred the XPRs for bass impact and control and what seemed a less fatiguing, easier to listen longer sound. I believe we would all feel that the OP won't go too wrong with either of his proposed choices. Good luck! By Saying "SQ champ" (my words not Lonnie's) I didn't mean to suggest that the XPA-1 was far superior to the XPR line, just that in Lonnie's opinion the XPA-1 sounded slightly better than the XPR amps. I'll see if I can dig up that thread. |
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