Emotiva - BasX a-100

[leonski]

The trick to getting the crossovers to play well together is to figure out how to get them to SUM FLAT thru the passband.

I'm not sure what 'making sure the crossover slope on the main speakers aligns with the rolloff the speakers exhibit in-room' means?

I set my main speakers to 50hz to 55hz with a 12db / octave rolloff below. This is handled by my preamp.
I leave the output to my sub full-range and use the Sub's crossover which is 24db / octave set at 40hz to 45hz region. So as the subs output is falling, the main speakers output is Rising.
My panels appreciate NOT being asked to reproduce the lowest octave or so.

Imaging is improved over just the main speakers and the sub can NOT be localized by ear.

You COULD use high-pass filters in line to the amp inputs driving the main speakers, Set the subs crossover a little lower than the high pass filter's setting.
Something like:

www.shure.com/americas/products/accessories/microphones/microphone-problem-solvers/a15hp-inline-high-pass-filter

You could DIY this as well, the calculation is not difficult

IMO? 80hz is a little high being right on the edge of being able to localize by ear.

[haris525]

May 8, 2017 16:09:24 GMT -5 leonski said:

The trick to getting the crossovers to play well together is to figure out how to get them to SUM FLAT thru the passband.

I'm not sure what 'making sure the crossover slope on the main speakers aligns with the rolloff the speakers exhibit in-room' means?

I set my main speakers to 50hz to 55hz with a 12db / octave rolloff below. This is handled by my preamp.
I leave the output to my sub full-range and use the Sub's crossover which is 24db / octave set at 40hz to 45hz region. So as the subs output is falling, the main speakers output is Rising.
My panels appreciate NOT being asked to reproduce the lowest octave or so.

Imaging is improved over just the main speakers and the sub can NOT be localized by ear.

You COULD use high-pass filters in line to the amp inputs driving the main speakers, Set the subs crossover a little lower than the high pass filter's setting.
Something like:

www.shure.com/americas/products/accessories/microphones/microphone-problem-solvers/a15hp-inline-high-pass-filter

You could DIY this as well, the calculation is not difficult

IMO? 80hz is a little high being right on the edge of being able to localize by ear.

yes I agree - its funny I went to school for Electrical Engineering, but ended up with a masters in applied mathematics I guess that is the reason why I am being so picky about filters and roll offs since I did do a lot of filter design work. I am trying to acquire a used XSP 1 - and mate it with the A-300 amplifier. that way I can set the crossover for mains to 50 or 60hz, and send the frequencies a little bit below 50 or 60 Hz mark. It is Funny how this Hobby can get expensive - when I started college 9 years ago I thought a Klipsch 2.1 promedia system was the best thing ever.

thank you

[leonski]

The term you're looking for is 'Money Sink Hobby'.

As for the XSP-1? Get the 2nd model. The first didn't hang around long and I doubt is as reliable (many internal connections) or as good sounding as the 2nd model.

If you still enjoy some 'electronic' DIY, go to Elliot Sound Products and check out the selection. Power Supplies? Amps? Utility Devices? Crossovers?

Simple crossover calculations should be done in your head!

If you want the ULTIMATE in crossover flexibility and the means to limitless experiment, check out the MiniDSP products. You can make up 6 thru 48db /octave in Butterworth of LR configurations as well
as Parametric EQ of 5 bands per input AND output. Some models will 'hold' up to 3 setups which are all programmed from your PC or MAC.     Time delays are part of the deal, too, and fully programable.   Don't forget distance between drivers can be expressed as TIME.
Some models include the ability to generate FIR filters which have NO phase shift thru the passband. Math intensive, which is right up your alley!

Keep the signal to the mains maybe 1 octave above lower limit (advertised, not 'real') which will remove some stress on the speaker / amp as well as lowering distortion. Even very ambitious subs are good to 100hz or above, so THAT'S not an issue. A 12db / octave slope below knee will get that driver out of the way pretty quickly so the sub can do its work.

Don't forget that regular crossovers are 90 degrees of phase shift per 'way' which may mean needing to wire some drivers electrically out of phase.

[haris525]

Thanks again. I made a decision

[leonski]

Secret or can you share?

[haris525]

May 10, 2017 16:59:10 GMT -5 leonski said:

Secret or can you share?

oh surely - I ordered a TA-100. This will be a desktop setup - I am pairing it with SVS ultra Bookshelf Speakers, and SVS SB12-NSD subwoofer. However I am a bit worried that the TA-100 might not have enough Juice for the speakers. The Ultra's are 4 ohm speakers 20 -150W (even though the site states they are 8ohm, but testing shows they are 4 ohms), the TA - 100 can do 90watts at 4ohms but I think that's peak power since it is 90W - 4ohms 1% THD - clipping section - so I think the true useable 4 Ohm power is maybe 75 watts. In any case if I think I need more power I might grab a used Parasound A23 or Emotiva A-300. I do love Parasound Products - I bought a Parasound 3500 4 -5 years ago, and that thing is built like a Tank.

thank you
Haris

[novisnick]

May 11, 2017 14:24:44 GMT -5 haris525 said:

May 10, 2017 16:59:10 GMT -5 leonski said:

Secret or can you share?

oh surely - I ordered a TA-100. This will be a desktop setup - I am pairing it with SVS ultra Bookshelf Speakers, and SVS SB12-NSD subwoofer. However I am a bit worried that the TA-100 might not have enough Juice for the speakers. The Ultra's are 4 ohm speakers 20 -150W (even though the site states they are 8ohm, but testing shows they are 4 ohms), the TA - 100 can do 90watts at 4ohms but I think that's peak power since it is 90W - 4ohms 1% THD - clipping section - so I think the true useable 4 Ohm power is maybe 75 watts. In any case if I think I need more power I might grab a used Parasound A23 or Emotiva A-300. I do love Parasound Products - I bought a Parasound 3500 4 -5 years ago, and that thing is built like a Tank.

thank you
Haris

Before spending more id give the TA a listen. Depending on room size and volume you may be just fine. Ive mentioned elsewhere that my KEF LS50's do just fine with the TA-100 and they are rated 4 ohm and below. Plenty of bass as well. The TA-100 is under rated specs i believe and not over rated and over promised

[haris525]

May 11, 2017 14:39:57 GMT -5 novisnick said:

May 11, 2017 14:24:44 GMT -5 haris525 said:

oh surely - I ordered a TA-100. This will be a desktop setup - I am pairing it with SVS ultra Bookshelf Speakers, and SVS SB12-NSD subwoofer. However I am a bit worried that the TA-100 might not have enough Juice for the speakers. The Ultra's are 4 ohm speakers 20 -150W (even though the site states they are 8ohm, but testing shows they are 4 ohms), the TA - 100 can do 90watts at 4ohms but I think that's peak power since it is 90W - 4ohms 1% THD - clipping section - so I think the true useable 4 Ohm power is maybe 75 watts. In any case if I think I need more power I might grab a used Parasound A23 or Emotiva A-300. I do love Parasound Products - I bought a Parasound 3500 4 -5 years ago, and that thing is built like a Tank.

thank you
Haris

Before spending more id give the TA a listen. Depending on room size and volume you may be just fine. Ive mentioned elsewhere that my KEF LS50's do just fine with the TA-100 and they are rated 4 ohm and below. Plenty of bass as well. The TA-100 is under rated specs i believe and not over rated and over promised

ah! that is perfect - thank you so much for your input - I am really excited! I will put up some pictures, over the weekend. My Amp should arrive tomorrow, so should the speakers (ordered from Amazon) , but Amazon is notorious for changing a one day shipment service to two days lol.

[leonski]

May 11, 2017 14:24:44 GMT -5 haris525 said:

May 10, 2017 16:59:10 GMT -5 leonski said:

Secret or can you share?

oh surely - I ordered a TA-100. This will be a desktop setup - I am pairing it with SVS ultra Bookshelf Speakers, and SVS SB12-NSD subwoofer. However I am a bit worried that the TA-100 might not have enough Juice for the speakers. The Ultra's are 4 ohm speakers 20 -150W (even though the site states they are 8ohm, but testing shows they are 4 ohms), the TA - 100 can do 90watts at 4ohms but I think that's peak power since it is 90W - 4ohms 1% THD - clipping section - so I think the true useable 4 Ohm power is maybe 75 watts. In any case if I think I need more power I might grab a used Parasound A23 or Emotiva A-300. I do love Parasound Products - I bought a Parasound 3500 4 -5 years ago, and that thing is built like a Tank.

thank you
Haris

power of the TA-100 should be adequate for a near-field system.   Cutting the LF to the main speakers MIGHT buy you an additional 5% to 10% apparent power.

[haris525]

Alright guys - It's Time!

So I received my TA - 100 on Friday, and this is how it arrived - double boxed. With both boxes in good condition - not a single indent / tear - good start! 



Next Thing I removed all the contents of the Box - The remote control, and the manual are well built, and presented nicely. The remote looks extremely well built (more on functionality of the remote later) 

-The unit comes with the remote, Power cable, RCA cables, Antenna cable, and 2 x Fuse. One thing is missing however, and I was expecting it to be missing - The USB cable - I burst into laughter when I saw that, because a lot of manufactures either don't send the cable or they forget it. This is why I have extra USB cables, no biggy, but pretty funny





The Unit itself is also Packed very well - here is what it looks like upon removal 




some other shots of the unit - some notes on the build quality

- The outside chassis is very well built - extremely thick, and has a very solid feel to it - like my parasound products. 
- No scratches on the finish
- The front led display screen is very nice
- The back of the unit is labeled nicely, and clearly
- Nice functional control knob




another shot



Here is a picture of the unit in my work / gaming PC - This is where it will be used
- Mains: B&W 685 Version 1 - (My SVS ultra's came but one of the woofer has a deep cut in the surround so svs is sending me a replacement part it works as it should, but I don't want to have any issues down the road. BTW SVS has an Amazing customer service, AMAZING) 
- Subwoofer: SVS -SB12 - NSD
-Amp - Emotiva TA-100



-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

What I like?

Amazing Value! 
-Tons of Inputs (besides XLR it has almost everything that you need in consumer audio product) 
-Amazing build quality
-Very well Packaged 
-Easy enough to pick, and setup
-Built in DAC is very good
-Will Drive Most speakers ( I tested this with 685 Version 1, Martin Logan 35xt, and SVS ultra's) - some other people are using this with KEF LS50
-Subwoofer Output
-Good Sound Quality

What I don't Like?

this list has no faults with the Ta-100, but mostly my expectations from it
-DAC - The built in DAC is Great but If you have been using an external DAC you might lose some clarity in the high / low region, my old setup was using a OPPO HA-1 DAC which alone costs 1200$ so this is an unfair comparison, but something people might notice
-Remote - OK this is a legitimate negative - The remote is built very nice, but functions are all over the place, kinda complicated - this is coming from a guy who got his masters in applied mathematics, and BS in Math, and Physics - maybe I am getting old 
-Speaker Paring: I noticed that this unit works real well with my 685, but with the SVS ultra's it does lack some dynamic range - I listened to the ultra speakers for 6 hours yesterday - 4 hours on the TA-100, and 2 on the Yamaha Z9 using the OPPO HA -1 DAC) The sound is more dispersed with the Z9 with better lows - again this is an unfair comparison since the Z9 retailed for 4500$ when it came out 
-No Bass Management 
-Unit startup time is a bit slow (needs about 10 - 15 seconds before the inputs can be changed) - again no biggy 

Would I recommend it? 
Yes, Absolutely! - there is no perfect product, and this is no exception - but this unit is so versatile, and affordable that is hard not to recommend it - I am extremely happy with its performance, features, and build quality. The only thing that we need to see now is longevity of the unit. We have a three year warranty - so that is good. (and please in version 2, make a simpler remote) 

This is a soild 9/10 product 

Thank you