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Post by zappagoo on Sept 15, 2017 16:35:52 GMT -5
Hi!
I have a pair of Klipsch RF-7 ll's and would like help choosing which amp or amps to buy. I bought the RF-7s because though I love all kinds of music from Prince to Beethoven, I especially love LOUD rock and funk! REALLY loud! So, I'd like to dip into your collective genius pool and ask for advice on choosing power to mate with these big speakers. I own Emo's XSP-1 gen 2 and I will not be buying subs.
These speakers are known for being easy to drive. I've read many reviews stating that even normal AV receivers can easily push them to house-shaking levels. So, will I be ok with an Emo XPA-2 or will I need Mono blocks? I hope I will be ok with a single two channel amp--I hear that the XPA-2 is a beast. Also, while I've saved for a powerful rig, I'd love to save money if possible. But I definitely want clean power with lots of headroom producing clear sound with zero distortion at all volumes.
Your guidance will be intensely appreciated. Thanks!
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Post by vneal on Sept 15, 2017 17:42:31 GMT -5
You should be good with the XPA 2 which should project your Klipsch LOUD and clear
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Post by creimes on Sept 15, 2017 18:24:35 GMT -5
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Post by zappagoo on Sept 17, 2017 2:55:26 GMT -5
Thanks! I've heard about the XPR but I don't have a dedicated outlet rated for it. But what a sweet deal! |
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Post by zappagoo on Sept 17, 2017 2:57:22 GMT -5
You should be good with the XPA 2 which should project your Klipsch LOUD and clear That's great news. Thanks! |
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Post by rbk123 on Sept 17, 2017 7:36:45 GMT -5
Thanks! I've heard about the XPR but I don't have a dedicated outlet rated for it. But what a sweet deal! You don't need a dedicated outlet, it will run fine on whatever you are planning to plug the monobocks/XPA-2 into. |
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Post by leonski on Sept 27, 2017 13:36:59 GMT -5
The XPR-2 is wired for a 20 amp outlet and requires it, given the 2.5kva transformer running the show.
Sure, it's gonna work on a 15 amp circuit. I put regular gas in my Porsche GTR and run Falken Tires.
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Post by garbulky on Sept 27, 2017 13:42:43 GMT -5
I've heard the XPR2 with a 15 A outlet and it sounds really nice. But it's capable of more power with a 20 amp outlet but I really doubt you'd need it. Either the XPA-2 or the XPR-2 will put your Klipsch in to super loud territory. So will the basx A-300 for that matter. I would go with a XPA-2 gen 2 amp if possible.
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Post by Loop 7 on Sept 27, 2017 14:29:12 GMT -5
How efficient are those speakers?
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fattykidd
Sensei
It's ok.. I have an et-3.
Posts: 122
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Post by fattykidd on Sept 27, 2017 15:25:51 GMT -5
Definitely MONOBLOCKS. Nothing else will do.
Anything less than xpr-1’s and you might as well use an avr.
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Post by brubacca on Sept 27, 2017 15:29:18 GMT -5
Klipsch speakers are known for being very efficient.
Any of the Monoblocks, XPA-2 and XPR-2 would be considered to be overkill by many.
When the XPRs came out the question was asked many times about a 15amp outlet. Under all but the hardest loads at the loudest volumes the standard 15 amp outlet would be fine was the consensus.
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Post by teaman on Sept 27, 2017 15:58:19 GMT -5
Zappagoo, your RF-7's are like 102 db efficient. An XPA-2 will do a fine job with them. I have run my 102 db efficient KLF-20's and KLF-30's with my XPA-2 and they sound really nice together. If you have the extra money, invest in the XPA-1's, that is what I have hooked to my KLF-30's right now and it is a match made in heaven. The big mono blocks are hard to beat for that money. Even suppliers can't get a comparable Parasound amp for anywhere close to this money.
There are also a few forum posts in the Emporium section where the XPA-2, XPR-2 and several other compatible amps could be had for much less money. I would tell you that if you have any interest in playing CD's then the ERC-3 would be a great investment as well. For the money you spend on a new XPA-2 Gen 3 you can buy a used amp and a CD player. Feel free to ask any questions you might have.
Tim
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Post by AudioHTIT on Sept 27, 2017 16:43:19 GMT -5
There should also be an option in the (near?) future for an XPA-1 G3. You could get (2) G3+ chassis with (1) Double Wide blade in each one if you want true monoblocks. Or (2) Double Wide blades in a single chassis for the same power in less space. So far I think they’ve only announced a 3 blade version <here>, but you’d expect a 1 and 2 blade as well. That would be 600W @ 8 ohms and their newest design, just another possibility. Note: I made up the G3+ to designate the chassis / power supply that will accept Double Wide blades, they probably have another name. |
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Post by rbk123 on Sept 27, 2017 17:13:54 GMT -5
Definitely MONOBLOCKS. Nothing else will do. Anything less than xpr-1’s and you might as well use an avr. I assume you meant he needed 4, since he'll obviously have to bi-amp to edge out the AVR. |
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Post by jcz06 on Sept 27, 2017 17:39:18 GMT -5
The XPR-2 is wired for a 20 amp outlet and requires it, given the 2.5kva transformer running the show. Sure, it's gonna work on a 15 amp circuit. I put regular gas in my Porsche GTR and run Falken Tires. I run my center channel on an XPR-1 and my surround amp(XPA-6, Gen 3) on the same 20A circuit....The guys at Emotiva said it's good and will have no issues.....trust me they crush..... |
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Post by Gary Cook on Sept 27, 2017 18:17:20 GMT -5
Thanks! I've heard about the XPR but I don't have a dedicated outlet rated for it. But what a sweet deal! You realise that's not logical right? With very similar efficiency any power (volts, amps, watts) out of the power point will limit any amplifier to the same watts out (volume). So if, for example, the XPA-2 hits the power input limit and can only reach say 250 watts per channel then the XPR-2 will be limited to pretty much the same, 250 watts. Except the XPR-2 will sound better because firstly they are designed/engineered/spec'd to and secondly because they will be running at a lower wattage output that may well be at a better point in their performance. In simple terms the power point output limit is the same for any Class AB amplifier plugged into it. If you want more watts out for less power in then you need to look at alternative amplifier designs, the trick is finding out exactly how many watts they output for how many watts input. For sure Class H power supplies (SMPS) as found in Gen 3's are claimed to be more efficient, but how much more? It would be nice if the amplifier manufacturers quoted watts in versus watts out that way we could tell if its a worthwhile efficiency gain. Being sceptical, as I am, since they don't I expect that it's not much. Another option is to look for a Gen 1 Emotiva amp as they have 32 db gain whereas the later models have 29 db. Cheers Gary |
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Post by leonski on Sept 27, 2017 19:10:02 GMT -5
I don't buy this. As a 20 amp 'rated' amplifier runs on lesser current, it'll 'clip' the power line voltage as you run out of juice. That's Distortion.
The more powerful amp will have higher voltage rails which only charge the caps as they drop below that voltage. At voltage peaks is where it's gonna 'clip.
I suppose at some point recharge rate comes into play, but given the AC frequency, you've only go so many opportunities for the 'recharge'.
The voltage and voltage DROP count.
You're better off with a lesser powered amp at that point.
B&O modules that include an OnBoard PS are rated 'plug to speaker' for efficiency, which is mid-high 80s at full power. Rating an amp for output stage only is disingenious, IMO.
I'm likewise certain that MOST persons will NEVER stress an amp to its limits. HT speakers are fairly sensitive and even if only about 1% efficient, still good at turning electricity into sound. To that end,
you're OK with the high power amp with other gear on a high power circuit. Just don't expect max power from everything simultaniously.
You CAN run your Porsche on Regular Gas and put H-Rated tires on it, but you don't quite have what the designer intended.
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Post by Gary Cook on Sept 27, 2017 19:15:29 GMT -5
I don't buy this. As a 20 amp 'rated' amplifier runs on lesser current, it'll 'clip' the power line voltage as you run out of juice. That's Distortion. The more powerful amp will have higher voltage rails which only charge the caps as they drop below that voltage. At voltage peaks is where it's gonna 'clip. I suppose at some point recharge rate comes into play, but given the AC frequency, you've only go so many opportunities for the 'recharge'. The voltage and voltage DROP count. You're better off with a lesser powered amp at that point. And I don't buy it right back  If the higher powered amplifier has more capacitance (which almost all do) then, at the same output watts, it will run out of stored power less frequently hence require recharging less often and as result may never "clip". Cheers Gary |
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Post by leonski on Sept 27, 2017 19:40:37 GMT -5
More power is higher voltage and less time above that voltage TO recharge. Think sinewave.
I suppose that's where your higher capacitance comes in, but at some point, you'll not be able to 'recharge' it.
Than why would ANY amp need a 20 amp service? Why do the very highest power 7 channel HT amps Require 2x15amp service?
Simply adding capacitance sounds cheaper than adding a larger transformer. 10watts continuous / 100 watt peaks is 'only' 10db.
10watts continuous and 1000 watts peak is still only 20db. FEW amps are capable of that. And few speakers, for that matter.
Maybe 1 watt continuous (those RF-7II speakers are 100db sensitive, after all) and 100 watt peaks is STILL 20db crest factor.
Add another 100 watts to 200 watt peaks total, and that's only another 3db.
maybe score 1 for more sensitive speakers rather than contining to toss inexpensive watts at it?
Rather than have a Porsche hobbling around on 4 space-saver spares, why not a lesser sports car on real tires?
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Post by AudioHTIT on Sept 27, 2017 20:55:07 GMT -5
I tend to agree with Gary, just because you can’t drive the higher power amp to full output doesn’t mean it won’t deliver as much or more clean power than lower power amp given the same mains. The OP should not dismiss the XPR because he lacks a 20A mains, it may likely still be the best sounding amplifier regardless of whether it’s on a 15 or 20A circuit. I would be more concerned with its massive weight making it difficult for one person to move (my XPA-7 has a similar handicap), and possible shipping costs.
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