XPA- 5 Gen 3

[redz]

OK, to start with i don't know much about amps other than what comes out is more than what you put in.
I have a Yamaha RX-A2080 and want to relive the receiver of some of the load of my speakers, possibly expand ( 2-3 Zone)
I was looking at a 2 channel amp but I'm now thinking why not a 5 channel ( XPA-5)
so my question is specs.
My Yamaha is 140W@ 8 Ohm  2 channel driven .. I read some where that's total  output
so if i have 5-9 speakers i'm giving each speaker very little wattage.
If that's true, How do the Emotiva Amps work ?  they say   250 watts/channel RMS into 8 Ohms; all channels driven
could I get this explained


Thanks
Redz

[teaman]

Hi Redz, and welcome to the forum. The Emotiva have a much more robust amplifier section than your Yamaha. Honestly, the Yamaha is among the most anemic amp sections of any AVR. If you are currently running seven speakers, you are likely getting 45 wpc out of the AVR amp section. The Emotiva are going to produce somewhere around rated power per channel, so the instant gratification is definitely worthy of the investment.

Here is a review of the prior Yamaha model with similar specs, on the test bench clearly showing the crap output.

www.soundandvision.com/content/yamaha-aventage-rx-a2070-av-receiver-review-test-bench


Tim

[leonski]

True.....the Yammy amp is probably 'weak' not to mention the high probability that it will NOT like any speaker below maybe 6 ohms. A Dead Giveaway is an IMPEDANCE switch on the backside for 8 ohms / 'other'. And I'll give teaman a Nod.....really only Mediocre measured results.....

Now, however? You need some more information.
Such As?
How large a room?
Speaker sensitivity? (efficiency is a PERCENT)
Desired loudness?
Speaker power handling ability (multiple ways to spec this)

IF you were to find speakers you really liked AND they were much more sensitive? (3db to start) that would be like buying MORE AMPLIFIER.
If you have a GIGANTIC room....say 4000 or 5000 CUBIC FEET or larger? More amp needed almost no matter what.

All the above being said? Highly sensitive speakers or even 'medium' sensitive speakers......in a normal room? Might not really NEED more than 40 watts. Don't forget that the chances of
ALL channels being called upon for maximum power are slight. And at least SOME power demands can be off-loaded to a sub......

some numbers? IF you are cruising along at 2 watts per speaker for 5 or 7 channels? You have a LOT of headroom. 20 watts is 10db and 40 watts 20db. That's a good 'burst'.....

You need to SIT DOWN and go a litttle slower before simply throwing more power at your system....though truth be told? I don't think it's a BAD idea at all. You need eyes open and have
some more information for an informed path forward.