Do I need to Upgrade my Amp to 600W?
Vlad.Grigorian
Posts: 17
in Electronics
My situation is unusual. I use parallel fronts, as you can see from my signature gear list. Basically, one 200W/ch with all channels driven power amp, an Emotiva XPA-5 Gen 2, is currently driving a pair of Polk LSiM-705s and the same split signal (split between the AVR and the power amp) powers up a pair of Magnepan 2.7Q/Rs. SO, the Emotiva power amp, while playing stereo, handling double load.
I am thinking of adding one more stereo amp, an Emotiva XPR-2, to power the Maggies. They have the same sensitivity , but the Maggies are 4ohm and 3dB quieter than the LSiM-705s. The latter is not a problem because there is an equalizer between the AVR and XPA-5 which boosts MAggies signal a bit.
This sort of parallel setup makes soundstage huge, enormous, very natural - both Polks and Maggies playing L/R signal simultaneously.
Here is the question. I am afraid that the XPA-5's 200W is not enough to power up these 4 channels. My listening position is pretty close - 10-12 feet. I have never experienced clipping or distortion at high volume, probably because bass is handled by two Sunfire subs, 2,700W and 1,000W, but they run in SUB=PLUS and SPEAKERS=LARGE mode on AVR. This means the AVR doesnt enforce the crossover, all speakers generate a full spectrum of audio.
But I still want to get the XPR-2 and run the MAggies through it. Do you think there will be a sonic difference?
I am thinking of adding one more stereo amp, an Emotiva XPR-2, to power the Maggies. They have the same sensitivity , but the Maggies are 4ohm and 3dB quieter than the LSiM-705s. The latter is not a problem because there is an equalizer between the AVR and XPA-5 which boosts MAggies signal a bit.
This sort of parallel setup makes soundstage huge, enormous, very natural - both Polks and Maggies playing L/R signal simultaneously.
Here is the question. I am afraid that the XPA-5's 200W is not enough to power up these 4 channels. My listening position is pretty close - 10-12 feet. I have never experienced clipping or distortion at high volume, probably because bass is handled by two Sunfire subs, 2,700W and 1,000W, but they run in SUB=PLUS and SPEAKERS=LARGE mode on AVR. This means the AVR doesnt enforce the crossover, all speakers generate a full spectrum of audio.
But I still want to get the XPR-2 and run the MAggies through it. Do you think there will be a sonic difference?
Comments
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Vlad.Grigorian wrote: »Do you think there will be a sonic difference?
Nope. Your XPA-5 amps wattage is rated all channels driven, which is what your doing when your using 2 sets of fronts. Plus to get +3db more you need to double the wattage, so what we are talking about it maybe a 1.5 db increase for your Maggies max from what you've got now (which is an amp your not clipping to begin with).
Adding another amp for the Maggies would lessen the load on the XPA-5, but dont think it would be enough for you to notice and with the EQ in the mix to raise or lower a certain set of inputs would be moot.
But if you've got to scratch the itch anyway I can understand. If it was me, I'd invest in room treatments for your setup first. I know WAF plays a role here, so I'd buy the GIK treatments that look like art. They can also make panels with prints you give them on it too, so you could tell your wife your buying some nice portraits of her fav art/family pics and then they'd also be room treatments at the same time.
@Vlad.Grigorian you wanna gift me one of those Sunfire subs for Christmas
"....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963) -
EndersShadow wrote: »
I thought your advice is free, I can see this "Advice is free, the Flea Market is earned - F1Nut" in your signature! LOL! Seriously, I gotta lookup these GIK treatments. Post some links please.
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Vlad.Grigorian wrote: »EndersShadow wrote: »
I thought your advice is free, I can see this "Advice is free, the Flea Market is earned - F1Nut" in your signature! LOL! Seriously, I gotta lookup these GIK treatments. Post some links please.
@Vlad.Grigorian here is the link to their artwork stuff
I should mention that many people here have had great luck with them. There is a form you can fill out (here) that they look at and suggest the best treatment options for your room.
And from others experiences they will get on the phone with you, look at pictures of your setup, and make sure they understand your layout before attempting to sell you anything. They dont want to sell you just the treatments, they want to sell you better sound, which sometimes can be obtained by moving things around (if possible).
Feel free to fill out their form, or give them a call. I'm sure they will be able to help you.
Or feel free to dive into their articles section which contains some REALLY good info to help you out, all totally free.
"....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963) -
Thanks, Enders
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Need an intervention, @Enders. Still cant shake that itch for either a pair of Emotiva XPA-2s (as monoblocks) or an XPR-2. A useless purchase, but still...
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Research timbre matching and comb filtering.Political Correctness'.........defined
"A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."
President of Club Polk -
Do I get a cookie?Political Correctness'.........defined
"A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."
President of Club Polk
