w0dz
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Post by w0dz on Apr 23, 2020 18:30:22 GMT -5
I'm in the electronics industry, and know that parts come from all over. No problem there. But I'm a big fan of any company that can manage to use American labor and do so profitably. It can be done, especially on expensive and niche products that aren't mass produced in huge volumes. BTW, the A1's are shown as "unavailable." Plus they really are kind of unseemly for ceiling speakers. I like the recessed DI and DT series from Def Tech.
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Post by foggy1956 on Apr 23, 2020 18:45:13 GMT -5
I'm in the electronics industry, and know that parts come from all over. No problem there. But I'm a big fan of any company that can manage to use American labor and do so profitably. It can be done, especially on expensive and niche products that aren't mass produced in huge volumes. BTW, the A1's are shown as "unavailable." Plus they really are kind of unseemly for ceiling speakers. I like the recessed DI and DT series from Def Tech. Wouldn't be surprised if Emotiva doesn't come out with qn in wall speaker soon.
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klinemj
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Post by klinemj on Apr 23, 2020 19:07:11 GMT -5
Emotiva has used their A1's as downward firing ceiling speakers in their Atmos demos (in 4 arrays of 4 each...pretty crazy!), and I thought they were excellent even though they market them as wall-mounted or reflective speakers. Call them and see what they say about them as your ceiling speakers (but you don't have to go as crazy as 4 arrays of 4...) Also, just FYI - while Emotiva does design and manufacture a lot in the US, a lot of parts come from out of the US...just to be clear. But, that's typically true of most things...not just audio but cars and everything else. If I let that stop me from buying products, I'd not be buying very much. Mark I have 3 sets of A1s. I like them. I haven't really tested them with anything but Atmos and side surrounds yet. Planning to put a pair in the living room as LR channel for the TV. The 4 arrays of 4 as ceiling speakers was really cool to look at, if nothing else! The sound demo with them and all the other Emotiva speakers and amps was pretty amazing. Mark
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Post by megash0n on Apr 23, 2020 20:36:59 GMT -5
I have 3 sets of A1s. I like them. I haven't really tested them with anything but Atmos and side surrounds yet. Planning to put a pair in the living room as LR channel for the TV. The 4 arrays of 4 as ceiling speakers was really cool to look at, if nothing else! The sound demo with them and all the other Emotiva speakers and amps was pretty amazing. Mark I'm assuming they did 2 pair in series and then paralleled them to get back to 4 ohms?
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klinemj
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Post by klinemj on Apr 24, 2020 6:45:17 GMT -5
The 4 arrays of 4 as ceiling speakers was really cool to look at, if nothing else! The sound demo with them and all the other Emotiva speakers and amps was pretty amazing. Mark I'm assuming they did 2 pair in series and then paralleled them to get back to 4 ohms? I recall one of us asked about that, and I can't recall the wiring details but that was a consideration...perhaps Keith, Nick, or Damon could comment. The bracket to hold them were cool also...there was a central post coming down from the ceiling. Each speaker was held at an angle to the floor and they kind of looked like a flower with 4 petals hanging from the ceiling but with the center part being the lowest and each speaker tilted up toward the ceiling from the center. I wish I had a picture. Prior to them making the A1's, they had done it with other speakers of theirs. Mark
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w0dz
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Post by w0dz on Apr 24, 2020 7:19:43 GMT -5
I was going to get the RMC-1L, but it looks like the factory-refurbished RMC-1 might be a better choice. Any thoughts?
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Post by davidl81 on Apr 24, 2020 8:17:27 GMT -5
I was going to get the RMC-1L, but it looks like the factory-refurbished RMC-1 might be a better choice. Any thoughts? I would check with Emotiva if you still get the 30% back in emobucks on the refurbished RMC-1. If you do then yeah for the extra $500 might as well. Who know what expansion modules may be available for the RMC-1, but if one comes out in the future that you want you will be ready to go. Also in my case I just like the height of the RMC-1 over the 1l since my RMC sits in between my two XPA amps on my rack and I like them being all the same height. Kinda silly, but I do like how it looks.
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Post by megash0n on Apr 24, 2020 9:32:00 GMT -5
I'm assuming they did 2 pair in series and then paralleled them to get back to 4 ohms? I recall one of us asked about that, and I can't recall the wiring details but that was a consideration...perhaps Keith, Nick, or Damon could comment. The bracket to hold them were cool also...there was a central post coming down from the ceiling. Each speaker was held at an angle to the floor and they kind of looked like a flower with 4 petals hanging from the ceiling but with the center part being the lowest and each speaker tilted up toward the ceiling from the center. I wish I had a picture. Prior to them making the A1's, they had done it with other speakers of theirs. Mark That sounds pretty cool. I am curious about sound reflections and cancellations though. Sounds like it looked awesome. I don't think they could have wired it in any other way. They'd either have 1 ohm or 16. Neither of which would be desired. Then, there's the power conversation. Are they running that off of a single channel blade, or using that higher powered blade? (I think that exists)
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klinemj
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Post by klinemj on Apr 24, 2020 10:51:38 GMT -5
megash0n - here's what I have as records for the system. I show an A400z amp powering the 2 arrays. And, you are likely right on the wiring. This system was really amazing in sound. Mark
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w0dz
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Post by w0dz on Apr 25, 2020 11:41:17 GMT -5
OK, took the plunge. Just ordered:
XPA-DR3 XPA-10-4-3s RMC-1 3 CMX-2 (CMX-6 was unavailable) ERC-4 XPS-1 2 E2+
And will use the $3.2K Emobucks for:
C2+ 2 T2+ 2 S15 (will daisy chain these)
Also ordered 8 fire-rated enclosures for the DT-6.5STR and DT6.5R's.
Will still use my Parasound remote room amp for the kitchen speakers.
Putting a whole separate setup in the master closet to drive a much simpler setup.
Now to find some money for the TV.
Is the Dirac stuff done? How is it?
Brian
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Post by creimes on Apr 25, 2020 12:04:38 GMT -5
OK, took the plunge. Just ordered: XPA-DR3 XPA-10-4-3s RMC-1 3 CMX-2 (CMX-6 was unavailable) ERC-4 XPS-1 2 E2+ And will use the $3.2K Emobucks for: C2+ 2 T2+ 2 S15 (will daisy chain these) Also ordered 8 fire-rated enclosures for the DT-6.5STR and DT6.5R's. Will still use my Parasound remote room amp for the kitchen speakers. Putting a whole separate setup in the master closet to drive a much simpler setup. Now to find some money for the TV. Is the Dirac stuff done? How is it? Brian That's a tall order, many of our dream orders haha, I'm sure you will be very happy, have you done or are you able to do any room treatments of any kind, IMO one of the best things I have done was treat my room with acoustic panels. I think a really sweet thing about this order is you got a pair of T2+, C2+ and two S15 subs for free, that's crazy in itself haha, again nice score Cheers from a jealous lounge member Chad P.S. I added up the amount of your order and put that into CAD funds and my 13% tax and I would be at $17,217 plus whatever fees UPS would want to get from me haha
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Post by davidl81 on Apr 25, 2020 12:14:09 GMT -5
OK, took the plunge. Just ordered: XPA-DR3 XPA-10-4-3s RMC-1 3 CMX-2 (CMX-6 was unavailable) ERC-4 XPS-1 2 E2+ And will use the $3.2K Emobucks for: C2+ 2 T2+ 2 S15 (will daisy chain these) Also ordered 8 fire-rated enclosures for the DT-6.5STR and DT6.5R's. Will still use my Parasound remote room amp for the kitchen speakers. Putting a whole separate setup in the master closet to drive a much simpler setup. Now to find some money for the TV. Is the Dirac stuff done? How is it? Brian That’s a hell of a system you built. Send us updates as you set it up, excited to see what you think about it all.
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Post by 405x5 on Apr 25, 2020 13:39:51 GMT -5
Oh, regarding the speakers...I had a 1:1 session at Magnolia and Listen Up, where I listened critically to the same amp on several different speakers, and several amps on the same speakers - B&W, KEF and Martin Logan. Also went up to Audio Alternative in Ft. Collins and listened to some really nice $60K speakers (WAY out of my price range!). First saw Emotiva products there but didn't listen to them. Was partial to the B&W's (hard to say that with a straight face -- to me, B&W will always be Barker and Williamson!). Also listened to a $100K MacIntosh setup at Magnolia. I have been using KEF Q80's for L and R and a crummy center and surround set that I got cheap. So, when I saw decent reviews on the Emotiva speakers, and had already decided to buy their procs and amps, it was not a hard sell to choose their speakers too. Almost anything is gonna sound better than what I have been using. Plus, I have a friend who has the right equipment and training to do a thorough A/V calibration. What attracted me most to Emotiva is that they are mostly designed and manufactured in the US. Think we will see many companies pull out of China and return home after this COVID-19 crap subsides. Emotiva was ahead of the curve. Brian So you were out there and auditioned a number of (very fine indeed) loudspeakers. After that, you’re buying EMOTIVA speakers without hearing them for yourself and relying on a friend for “calibration “...did I read that right?? The speakers play to rave reviews so probably, you will be happy, but we agree respectfully to disagree. I would not buy mains unless they sing to my own ears 👂 first....not a chance of that. Yes I know you can send’em back if you’re unhappy but that’s a pain in the ass. I’m with you on American made as my loudspeakers are also USA all the way. All my drivers were designed and built here in house. Bill
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Post by creimes on Apr 25, 2020 13:53:06 GMT -5
Oh, regarding the speakers...I had a 1:1 session at Magnolia and Listen Up, where I listened critically to the same amp on several different speakers, and several amps on the same speakers - B&W, KEF and Martin Logan. Also went up to Audio Alternative in Ft. Collins and listened to some really nice $60K speakers (WAY out of my price range!). First saw Emotiva products there but didn't listen to them. Was partial to the B&W's (hard to say that with a straight face -- to me, B&W will always be Barker and Williamson!). Also listened to a $100K MacIntosh setup at Magnolia. I have been using KEF Q80's for L and R and a crummy center and surround set that I got cheap. So, when I saw decent reviews on the Emotiva speakers, and had already decided to buy their procs and amps, it was not a hard sell to choose their speakers too. Almost anything is gonna sound better than what I have been using. Plus, I have a friend who has the right equipment and training to do a thorough A/V calibration. What attracted me most to Emotiva is that they are mostly designed and manufactured in the US. Think we will see many companies pull out of China and return home after this COVID-19 crap subsides. Emotiva was ahead of the curve. Brian So you were out there and auditioned a number of (very fine indeed) loudspeakers. After that, you’re buying EMOTIVA speakers without hearing them for yourself and relying on a friend for “calibration “...did I read that right?? The speakers play to rave reviews so probably, you will be happy, but we agree respectfully to disagree. I would not buy mains unless they sing to my own ears 👂 first....not a chance of that. Yes I know you can send’em back if you’re unhappy but that’s a pain in the ass. I’m with you on American made as my loudspeakers are also USA all the way. All my drivers were designed and built here in house. Bill Don't forget the speakers were basically free
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w0dz
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Post by w0dz on Apr 25, 2020 13:53:07 GMT -5
That's a tall order, many of our dream orders haha, I'm sure you will be very happy, have you done or are you able to do any room treatments of any kind, IMO one of the best things I have done was treat my room with acoustic panels. I think a really sweet thing about this order is you got a pair of T2+, C2+ and two S15 subs for free, that's crazy in itself haha, again nice score Cheers from a jealous lounge member Chad P.S. I added up the amount of your order and put that into CAD funds and my 13% tax and I would be at $17,217 plus whatever fees UPS would want to get from me haha
It was actually $10480 (I got the refurbed RMC-1, which did count for Emobux credit), plus 2.9% Colorado state sales tax of $304. The $3235 Emobux from that will pay for all but $760 (plus tax) of the C2+/T2+/S15 order. So the actual grand total out of pocket will be about $11660, out of an order value of about $14900. Shipping was free. The credit card is bulging a bit, but I couldn't pass up this deal! If you read my original posts, you know that I've limped along on pretty pathetic stuff for far too long. Perfect timing too. If I've gotta be cooped up at home to stay safe, might as well enjoy it.
The 17x19 room has a 5' wide see-through fireplace in the middle of one side, with a 6' accordion door on each side to act as sound deadeners. The other side has 4 large windows, so I will need drapes there to deaden it. The rear has an opening that will also have an accordion door in it. The ceiling slopes from 8' on the window side to 10' on the fireplace side, so that should also help create an irregular shape that will minimize reflections. (Recall Frank Lloyd Wright's Taliesin West in Scottsdale, AZ, which has an audio room that's almost 100% acoustically pure, with not a single right angle anywhere!). I am putting a hardwood floor in there, but it will have an area rug on it, so that should help. Not perfect, but not bad. The room has to double as a great room. All I need now is a giant Lazy Susan that would have a couch that could be rotated to face the stereo/TV, fireplace or windows, depending on what's going on in there. Hah!
A friend has A/V calibration equipment and training, so I'll be able to maximize performance with his help. Still wondering about Dirac.
Brian
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Post by creimes on Apr 25, 2020 14:07:25 GMT -5
That's a tall order, many of our dream orders haha, I'm sure you will be very happy, have you done or are you able to do any room treatments of any kind, IMO one of the best things I have done was treat my room with acoustic panels. I think a really sweet thing about this order is you got a pair of T2+, C2+ and two S15 subs for free, that's crazy in itself haha, again nice score Cheers from a jealous lounge member Chad P.S. I added up the amount of your order and put that into CAD funds and my 13% tax and I would be at $17,217 plus whatever fees UPS would want to get from me haha It was actually $10480 (I got the refurbed RMC-1, which did count for Emobux credit), plus 2.9% Colorado state sales tax of $304. The $3235 Emobux from that will pay for all but $760 (plus tax) of the C2+/T2+/S15 order. So the actual grand total out of pocket will be about $11660, out of an order value of about $14900. Shipping was free. The credit card is bulging a bit, but I couldn't pass up this deal! If you read my original posts, you know that I've limped along on pretty pathetic stuff for far too long. Perfect timing too. If I've gotta be cooped up at home to stay safe, might as well enjoy it.
The 17x19 room has a 5' wide see-through fireplace in the middle of one side, with a 6' accordion door on each side to act as sound deadeners. The other side has 4 large windows, so I will need drapes there to deaden it. The rear has an opening that will also have an accordion door in it. The ceiling slopes from 8' on the window side to 10' on the fireplace side, so that should also help create an irregular shape that will minimize reflections. (Recall Frank Lloyd Wright's Taliesin West in Scottsdale, AZ, which has an audio room that's almost 100% acoustically pure, with not a single right angle anywhere!). I am putting a hardwood floor in there, but it will have an area rug on it, so that should help. Not perfect, but not bad. The room has to double as a great room. All I need now is a giant Lazy Susan that would have a couch that could be rotated to face the stereo/TV, fireplace or windows, depending on what's going on in there. Hah! A friend has A/V calibration equipment and training, so I'll be able to maximize performance with his help. Still wondering about Dirac.
Brian Sounds like you will soon be enjoying yourself, most rooms are far from ideal that's why I mentioned acoustic treatment, there are some companies that offer panels that have designs/pictures or what have you so they look more like hanging art then basic acoustic panels so that helps if someone doesn't want plain ugly panels hung up haha. Dirac seems to be done but no word of when the kits are being mailed out or if yours will be included, Dirac does a really great job as far as correction software goes from what i have found using a few different types. Looking forward to your impressions. Chad
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klinemj
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Post by klinemj on Apr 25, 2020 15:48:57 GMT -5
OK, took the plunge. Just ordered: XPA-DR3 XPA-10-4-3s RMC-1 3 CMX-2 (CMX-6 was unavailable) ERC-4 XPS-1 2 E2+ And will use the $3.2K Emobucks for: C2+ 2 T2+ 2 S15 (will daisy chain these) Also ordered 8 fire-rated enclosures for the DT-6.5STR and DT6.5R's. Will still use my Parasound remote room amp for the kitchen speakers. Putting a whole separate setup in the master closet to drive a much simpler setup. Now to find some money for the TV. Is the Dirac stuff done? How is it? Brian Sounds like you will have a great system! Dirac is not totally done. Just before the COVID-19 shutdown they announced a key breakthrough that will get them there...a little box that is only used during Dirac setup that helps with the final step they needed. Sounds like the shutdown has delayed the final aspects of that, but they appear very, very close. Mark
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w0dz
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Post by w0dz on May 2, 2020 11:31:31 GMT -5
Well, I received the things I ordered. I am chomping at the bit to hook them up, but the room is not finished yet! Might have to wait another month! Arghhh!
I ordered two sets of E2+ surround speakers because I thought there might only be one in each box even though it said "Loudspeaker pair". I know, I could have asked. Since there are two sets (actually three) in the unit, one could argue that one unit consists of a "pair". Whatever. So I have an extra pair of E2+. Wondering if I can use these for LR mains in a bedroom that does not need much power and won't have surround capability. I made room in there for two wall-mounted speakers, and these would easily fit. I will have a subwoofer in there and a cheap center channel. May just use the TV as the only signal source (with Pandora, etc.), but will still feed it through an amp.
Brian
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sealman
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You shouldn't have decorated your saloon with my friend!
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Post by sealman on May 2, 2020 13:50:26 GMT -5
I am new here, so go easy on me. I am doing a whole house remodel, and have the luxury of putting things wherever I want (mostly) as the media room is laid out. I have decided to use Emotiva for everything except the in-ceiling speakers, which E does not have. I'd like a little help to see if I have figured things out correctly. I'm an electronics engineer, so I understand the buzzwords, but it's been quite a while since I bought all new stuff. I want to go the total separates route, so I don't need a high-power multi-channel AVR, and if I did get a fancy AVR, I'd use the bypass outputs for music listening anyway.
Here's what I've come up with:
Samsung Q80 82" 4K UHD
CMX-2 Line filter (also putting in two dedicated 20A shielded, twisted-wire circuits directly to breaker box)
C2+ Center channel T2+ x2 L/R speakers E2+ x2 Rear surround (Def Tech DI or DT 6.5R x4 or x6 for Atmos) (Def Tech DI or DT6.5STR x2 for side surround, which must be in the ceiling due to room layout) S12 or R13 Subwoofer (any way to do 7.2?) XPA-DR1 x3 Monoblock amps for LCR spkrs RMC-1L 9.1.6 Preamp/Switch/Tuner ERC-4 CD (what about DVD?)
Will be using Mogami 3104 to wire the important channels, and 14-2 CL2 speaker cable for the surround and Atmos speakers.
Also need a new Turntable. I realize I'll stir up a hornet's nest, but any preferences for MM or MC? Brand? Don't want to break the bank on this one item, either.
Missing anything? Any incompatibilities?
Brian
Is there a possibility you could hang your side surrounds from the ceiling instead of making them "in/on ceiling" speakers? Something like this for instance. I have never heard of anyone doing in ceiling surrounds and in ceiling atmos speakers at the same time have anything positive to say about that setup. I would personally just go with a 7.1 setup if in ceiling was my only option.
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w0dz
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Post by w0dz on May 2, 2020 14:31:38 GMT -5
Is there a possibility you could hang your side surrounds from the ceiling instead of making them "in/on ceiling" speakers? Something like this for instance. I have never heard of anyone doing in ceiling surrounds and in ceiling atmos speakers at the same time have anything positive to say about that setup. I would personally just go with a 7.1 setup if in ceiling was my only option. No, but I think it'll work. I plan to use Def Tech DT6.5R or DI6.5R direct-firing speakers (downward) for the Atmos, and Def Tech DT6.5STR dipole/bipole speakers (firing downward front to rear) for the side surrounds. I think I can calibrate them to sound good. If not, well, they will just sit there being decorative. Pretty sure though, that 13 speakers and two subs are going to fill that room nicely.
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