Amp selections for 5.2 system

[lackboost]

So I got into the 2 channel thing for a little bit and have really enjoyed it. However, the reality is that controlling bass output when you do not have separate subs is proving to be an exercise I am not willing to see through to the end. Trying to Eq it up or down, and switching settings constantly was not as fun as I expected.  Also, I found myself returning to a pair of LSi9's I really got a deal on, and enjoy their sound a lot. That said, I have opted for a 5.2 system with LSi9 fronts, LSiC center and PSB Image B4 as surrounds (for now - on the hunt for LSi7's). For subs, I went DIY route withe some HSU drivers (4 ohm) from PE in simple car enclosures for now. 

At my disposal, I have several amplifiers to power all of this and wanted to see if based on the models, power, dynamics, etc what is the best configuaration to power each speaker:

Emotiva XPA-2
Emotiva XPA-3
Emotiva UPA-1 (x2)

My thoughts was keep the LSi9's on the XPA-2, as they really sing on that amp. XPA-3 for center and surrounds and the UPA-1's for each sub? Then again I read the XPA's exhibit better dyamics and bass response - so use XPA-2 or XPA-3 on subs? 

Any input or feedback is apprecaited...thank you!

[repeetavx]

I'm assuming that your XPA-2 and XPA-3 amps are gen 1 or gen 2. If they are, I would keep the XPA-2 on the stereo mains for a bunch of reasons. Use the XPA-3 for the surrounds and the UPA-1s for the sub, for now. I used a UPA-1 for a little while but switched to an XPA-100 which did increase control over my passive sub. There is a market for the UPA-1s and I would be tempted to sell them. Replace them with a pair of the new PA-1s.

If your amps are the new gen 3, then I would use the XPA-3 for across the front. The XPA-2 for the subs, and the UPA-1s for the surrounds.

[davidl81]

Aug 8, 2019 15:04:20 GMT -5 lackboost said:

So I got into the 2 channel thing for a little bit and have really enjoyed it. However, the reality is that controlling bass output when you do not have separate subs is proving to be an exercise I am not willing to see through to the end. Trying to Eq it up or down, and switching settings constantly was not as fun as I expected.  Also, I found myself returning to a pair of LSi9's I really got a deal on, and enjoy their sound a lot. That said, I have opted for a 5.2 system with LSi9 fronts, LSiC center and PSB Image B4 as surrounds (for now - on the hunt for LSi7's). For subs, I went DIY route withe some HSU drivers (4 ohm) from PE in simple car enclosures for now. 

At my disposal, I have several amplifiers to power all of this and wanted to see if based on the models, power, dynamics, etc what is the best configuaration to power each speaker:

Emotiva XPA-2
Emotiva XPA-3
Emotiva UPA-1 (x2)

My thoughts was keep the LSi9's on the XPA-2, as they really sing on that amp. XPA-3 for center and surrounds and the UPA-1's for each sub? Then again I read the XPA's exhibit better dyamics and bass response - so use XPA-2 or XPA-3 on subs? 

Any input or feedback is apprecaited...thank you!

I think you have the right idea and based on what you have now it is the best use of your amps..  I like the XPA-2 for the L/R speakers, and really the XPA-3 makes sense for your other speakers.  The UPA-1 when just having to do low frequencies should be fine.   

[lackboost]

Thanks all, this combo seems to be fine. I will say that it is a lot of output from the subs, and although I can tame the beast, it would be nice to turn them down even a bit more than the AVR will let me. Would something like a CVPBLOX, or a xlr volume controller (https://www.gothamsound.com/product/xlr-volume-control?gclid=Cj0KCQjw4s7qBRCzARIsAImcAxbvSzhnqX9itgab4v5jM2_B2Rih336DlN_sHfQ8GWYGwSX-3O8Pdz4aAs35EALw_wcB) work to that end?

Thanks!

[KeithL]

(I'm assuming your subs themselves don't have Level controls...)

Either of the options you mentioned should work.

However, since the AVR has an adjustment range, you really just need to "bump the overall gain down a step".....

Therefore, something like a fixed attenuator - perhaps 12 dB - would also work to bring the level down into the range where the AVR can adjust it satisfactorily.

Aug 15, 2019 0:28:33 GMT -5 lackboost said:

Thanks all, this combo seems to be fine. I will say that it is a lot of output from the subs, and although I can tame the beast, it would be nice to turn them down even a bit more than the AVR will let me. Would something like a CVPBLOX, or a xlr volume controller (https://www.gothamsound.com/product/xlr-volume-control?gclid=Cj0KCQjw4s7qBRCzARIsAImcAxbvSzhnqX9itgab4v5jM2_B2Rih336DlN_sHfQ8GWYGwSX-3O8Pdz4aAs35EALw_wcB) work to that end?

Thanks!

[lackboost]

That is correct. Just a passive, enclosed driver being powered by the UPA-1's. I have the subs set at -8 to -12 on the AVR, and the fronts, center and surrounds in the 0 to +3 range. Most material is fine, but I was wathcing Endgame last night pretty late, and it was a lot even at -12. On the AV7701 some sound fields allow you to turn off the sub, some don't. The hdmi "multi channel in" does not allow for this easy deactivation from the sub menu. I would need to go into Speaker configuration every time and deactivate it there. If I can turn it down via this type of device, then I can use AVR settings more efficiently and effectively. Thanks!