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Post by meistereder on Mar 19, 2020 12:13:13 GMT -5
I participated with the trade-in program and received my XMC-2 about two weeks ago. The trade-in worked without problems (I'm from Germany), thanks to Emotiva for that. I had the XMC-1 for about 5 years, so I know how it sounds.
Alas, I am not too happy about the sound of the XMC-2 (in Stereo). It doesn't sound bad, but - for me - a lot less bright than the XMC-1. (Treble means for me the midrange treble range, not the frequencies above 10.000Hz etc.)
Which is bad for me, because I am "treble guy" (I just like my music bright).
I'd like to ask the community here, if it is me (my hearing) or if the XMC-2 is indeed less bright than the XMC-1?
A second question: To get more brightness I am pushing the Fronts (5000 Hz, Q1, 6dB). It gets louder, yes. But brighter? I don't know. Not enough for me, not as bright as the XMC-1.
Thank you for your thoughts.
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Post by AudioHTIT on Mar 19, 2020 12:32:53 GMT -5
Both units are very flat, they amplify all audible frequencies equally. But there are many reasons they might sound (a little) different; different DACs (are you listening to digital?), was Dirac running on the XMC-1?, tone controls? I find the sound of the RMC-1 better than the XMC-1, but it is subtle, not blatant.
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Lsc
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Post by Lsc on Mar 19, 2020 12:40:07 GMT -5
Yes imho the XMC2 sounds less bright which is preferable to me.
I thought the XMC1 was way too bright in reference stereo mode. The XMC2 sounds much more tolerable and smoother in reference stereo mode.
I saw this as an improvement but maybe not for everyone.
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Post by frenchyfranky on Mar 19, 2020 13:02:57 GMT -5
For myself I think that the XMC-2 sounds a bit more natural than the XMC-1 but the biggest difference between both is the volume level, every input sounds more higher than before so maybe it can effect the highs in sounding less. I remember increasing an input level of an HDMI on my XMC-1 and it results in this kind of effect on the highs.
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cawgijoe
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"We made too many of the wrong mistakes." - Yogi Berra
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Post by cawgijoe on Mar 19, 2020 13:30:05 GMT -5
I would say the XMC-1 and XMC-2 are very close in terms of sound quality. I find the XMC-2 to play louder, but that may be due to the current firmware and lack of Dirac.
I find both units to be very natural sounding. Really looking forward to Dirac though to tame my room.
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Post by meistereder on Mar 19, 2020 13:41:12 GMT -5
Yes, I agree with you all, the XMC-2 plays a bit louder.
So the difference in basic brightness might be due to the new DAC.
I find it strange though, that the EQ does not have a greater impact. I'm pushing the 'mid trebles' to the max, but it is not enough for me.
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Post by meistereder on Mar 20, 2020 10:39:49 GMT -5
OK, I found the problem.
I'm going from the XMC-2 via XLR to my active Front Speakers. Active means external Integrated Amplifier with fully fledged (integrated) DSP. Almost no EQ (a bit extra treble from the System EQ, but no parametic EQ) used on the XMC-2 -- but massive EQ with the DSP of the Integrated Amplifier of my Front Speakers.
Somehow the DSP of the Integrated Amplifier did not work right. I switched some Inputs (forwards and backwards) and now the DSP does its job again. Tons of crispy Treble, just how I like it (way too much for most people, no doubt about it).
So, the XMC-2's DAC may (or may not) sound slighty different to the one of the XMC-1.
If it does, it is only a minor difference.
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Post by oneemotiva on Sept 4, 2022 14:46:30 GMT -5
Hi, I just added a XMC2 to my studio system and have found to be much more brighter then previously. I removed my McIntosh MX180 from my audio room to test, and sounds incredible, but the XMC2 is so bright that sound metallic, very annoying, and this after using DIRAC 4 times. Anybody?
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Post by ttocs on Sept 4, 2022 15:31:00 GMT -5
Hi, I just added a XMC2 to my studio system and have found to be much more brighter then previously. I removed my McIntosh MX180 from my audio room to test, and sounds incredible, but the XMC2 is so bright that sound metallic, very annoying, and this after using DIRAC 4 times. Anybody? Going from a very good sounding XMC-1 to XMC-2 for me was even more improvement in sound quality, better detail, but not "brighter". I compared the sound first before running Dirac. Try using USER EQ and see how that works for you. If you are getting terrible sound quality with Dirac, then you should look at what you can adjust within Dirac to tune to taste. |
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Lsc
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Post by Lsc on Sept 6, 2022 18:27:53 GMT -5
Hi, I just added a XMC2 to my studio system and have found to be much more brighter then previously. I removed my McIntosh MX180 from my audio room to test, and sounds incredible, but the XMC2 is so bright that sound metallic, very annoying, and this after using DIRAC 4 times. Anybody? The McIntosh probably just sounds better. |
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Post by AudioHTIT on Sept 6, 2022 18:57:22 GMT -5
Hi, I just added a XMC2 to my studio system and have found to be much more brighter then previously. I removed my McIntosh MX180 from my audio room to test, and sounds incredible, but the XMC2 is so bright that sound metallic, very annoying, and this after using DIRAC 4 times. Anybody?
Since the MX180 doesn’t have Dirac, you should be comparing the two units without any RC, EQ, or tone controls. |
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