Which is better for rtia9 emotiva xpa-2 bridged at 1000w or xpa-5 five channels 200watt per channel

VanDaMan

Just wondering if I could connect both rtia9 in bridged mode to the xpa-2

Which emotiva better sounding, does it sound good bridged.

Thanks I'm a beginner, this is my first audio system.

Also where a good place for wiring diagrams.

Thanks again, Van

polkfarmboy

Get an XPA2 and crank that bad boy up with spotify!

gfong

Are your interests in music or home theater? If music look for another brand that works better with the rti series. Emotive is a bit harsh and so are the 9's.

As for bridged mode it would only feed one channel so you would need two of them.

VanDaMan

But one a9 towers only 500watt. There's already 5 speakers on each tower, I wanna connect them all to that one channel. Is that possible? Can I hook them up parallel or series? I just wanna make the two towers into one feed line into briged connection.

polkfarmboy

I like the way you think VD. guys can this be done?

polrbehr

Wouldn't that result in both speakers getting fed from the same channel (either L or R)? So you would theoretically have 1000w basically feeding a mono system.

I can't believe that would provide good sound no matter what amp/speaker combo
you used, but give it a try if you want.

And PFB, he may prefer a different nickname... just sayin'.

motorhead43026

Penicillin will still cure VD correct?

VanDaMan

If I put one a9 tower bridged it would be way to much power, that's why I wanna hook up in series. I'm not sure, this is my first big studio system, and I don't wanna wreck it.

WilliamM2

Just hook them up normally. You don't need 500 watts just because that's the max rating. 200 will be plenty, and they will sound much better in stereo.

VanDaMan

If I do that I might as well get the xpa-5 with five channels

[Deleted User]

It is probably best to, for a while, set aside any concerns about the number of watts per channel your system has. Rather, think about how to make your system sound as good as it possibly can in terms of realism and musicality. This is the first important hurdle for most beginning audio enthusiasts to jump, not equating the number of Watts versus the sound character of the overall system.

polrbehr

VanDaMan wrote: »

If I do that I might as well get the xpa-5 with five channels

I see you wanting to use 4/5 of those channels to "bi-amp" those 9s, correct?
Unless you have 5 speakers to power, you will not be gaining anything buying an XPA-5 over the XPA-2.

Kens advice ^^^ is where you should be concentrating your efforts. IMHO, of course.

VanDaMan

Correct. So I will need a centre channel? Or any bookshelf speaker then right?

jeremymarcinko

You can't be treating this as if were car audio with mono subwoofers. Running the towers in a series would reduce power because of the 16 OHM load. Hook them up as it shows in the manual. Or get monoblocs. Your going to want stereo reproduction anyway and 250 wpc is plenty.

This is why I try to avoid buying used equipment...geesh.

tonyb

Whats used gear have to do with anything ?

Here's the bottom line.....
You need a newer receiver with 5.1 preouts.
You need to add an amp to that for the speakers to really sound their best.
You want stereo reproduction, not mono, forget about hooking them up in series.
The Emo amps are decent enough for HT, but might leave you wanting on the musical side. Parasound is a better mate with those speakers and used amps can be found as cheap as 400 bucks.
Get yourself some decent cables and interconnects to hook it all up. Brands like Signal cable or Bluejeans for the budget minded, Kimber, Morrow, Audioquest, MIT, Analysis plus and a dozen or so more if you want to up your game.

Can't do that all at once ? Then keep the volume at reasonable levels or you'll risk doing some damage until you can at least get an amp in the mix.

[Deleted User]

Polk forum, where people go to get Emo healed...

tonyb

rednedtugent wrote: »

Polk forum, where people go to get Emo healed...

We have special ancient Indian medicine for that.

cfrizz

Keep it simple. First step is to make sure you have a receiver that has preouts so that you can add a separate amplifier, if you don't then that will become your first upgrade. What receiver do you have?

Second is after the first is accomplished, you should get a 5 channel amp and amp all speakers with the exception of your subwoofer which will have its own amp.

I always recommend a minimum of 200wpc @ 8ohms. Some consider the Emotiva amps to be bright when paired with the RTI series, only your ears will be able to tell you that.

If you don't mind buying used, you can look on sites like Audiogon and look for 5 channel amps there. Brands to look for include:

Sunfire, Rotel, B&K, Parasound, Outlaw, Adcom, & NAD.

VanDaMan

Pioneer elite vsx-42. I rushed and bought it on ebay, after I got my a9s. Now I gotta spend more money for an amp and a new receiver. Knowing that I might just try find a receiver with 150watts per channel, and might not even buy another amp just good receiver. Gonna try trading my vsx-42 for ps4 or something with equal value on kijiji.

tonyb

None of the current receivers put out 150 watts per channel. Besides, it's not watts speakers thrive on, but current. That number is usually represented in "amperes peak to peak" when looking at specs. You want something 40-50 on up in an amp. The more, the better.

VanDaMan

The denon AVR-5800 puts out 200watts a channel

tonyb

VanDaMan wrote: »

The denon AVR-5800 puts out 200watts a channel

Actually, 170 at 8 ohms 2 channels driven. 200 at 6 ohms 2 channels driven. That's not a current AVR though, and doesn't have the same power a separate amp would. Think current not watts.

[Deleted User]

and heat. Those monster AVRs and 200 watt amps generate some
heat

jeremymarcinko

tonyb wrote: »

Whats used gear have to do with anything ?

Beats me