B&K 5 Channel Amp vs. Emotiva 5 Channel Amp

jp4smiles@yahoo

im wondering what amp you guys recommend. the five channel will power the surround speakers, the rear speakers, and the center channel. both amps have very similar specifications. so if someone could explain the reason price difference, that would be awesome. and let me know if and why it's worth it to spring for the B&K.

B&K:
$2350
http://www.bkcomp.com/products/amplifiers/?tx_ttproducts_pi1%5BbackPID%5D=14&tx_ttproducts_pi1%5Bproduct%5D=9&cHash=eb183f4201


Emotiva:
$799
http://emotiva.com/xpa5.shtm

jinjuku

Both are quality amps. No one will argue with that. I am not sure why there is a large price disparity.

I don't know about B&K, but Emotiva will let you try the product for 30 days. That is putting $$ where the mouth is. If B&K offers a similar program I would take both up on it and audition side by side in the comfort of my own home.

Send back the loser. Now if B&K doesn't have enough faith in their product to do something like that, should you have faith?

Anyways, if you use the search feature, simply search for Emotiva and B&K for more user input.

tcrossma

B&K makes extremely good products and I could personally recommend a B&K Reference 200.5 since I've owned one and it was fantastic. I don't have any experience with Emotiva, so I really can't comment in their products. Personally, I would buy a used B&K. Good luck, and enjoy whatever you decide upon.

reeltrouble1

jinjuku wrote: »

Both are quality amps.

I don't know about B&K

jink watch your info, some will take it as gospel, especially if posted in the Advanced Sections of the Forum. We should maintain our level of credibility.

RT1

thuffman03

I would think it would come down to budget. If you can swing it for the B&K then that is what I would do but like most my check book has the final say and I cannot afford B&K so if I were looking at a 5 channel amp I would get the emovita of the two.

Though you can pick up a great Carver 705x for about half the $$$ of an emovita.

danz1906

Go for the B&K!

Hawkeye

I've had a B&K 7250 in my HT for close to 12 years now. Never a lick of trouble but does tend to get warm after a long action movie. I thought it handled whatever speaker I used for music or HT without giving up the ghost.
I also try to buy gear made in the USA.

I've never heard an Emotiva but there is a reason some things cost more than others. Let your ears guide you!

Gordon

cfrizz

Simple. Older established company with good product & name recognition, versus the new upstart company trying to get a foot hold.

It comes down to your wallet, only you can decide.

Unknown

This content has been removed.

jinjuku

reeltrouble1 wrote: »

jink watch your info, some will take it as gospel, especially if posted in the Advanced Sections of the Forum. We should maintain our level of credibility.

RT1

What are you talking about? You should include context when making a statement. Also when you quote: quote with the context, not with out. No one appreciates an edit like you did with my reply.

jinjuku

cfrizz wrote: »

Simple. Older established company with good product & name recognition, versus the new upstart company trying to get a foot hold.

It comes down to your wallet, only you can decide.

I didn't know Emotiva was a new upstart company. Please inform us what you know about this upstart...

reeltrouble1

jinjuku wrote: »

What are you talking about? You should include context when making a statement. Also when you quote: quote with the context, not with out. No one appreciates an edit like you did with my reply.

I am sure some people appreciate. First you say they are both quality amps then you say you do not know about B&K.

So then how can you say they are both quality amps?

Frankly I was trying to help you understand, however, I will now be more blunt...your post is moronic and adds nothing to the forum.

My best advice is not to speak of gear you have no personal experience with. The OP wants some real experience and info.

RT1

jinjuku

reeltrouble1 wrote: »

I am sure some people appreciate. First you say they are both quality amps then you say you do not know about B&K.

So then how can you say they are both quality amps?

Frankly I was trying to help you understand, however, I will now be more blunt...your post is moronic and adds nothing to the forum.

My best advice is not to speak of gear you have no personal experience with. The OP wants some real experience and info.

RT1

Oh my god... :eek:

You need to re-read my post. I can't believe I am actually having to quote myself, ahem:

"I don't know about B&K, but Emotiva will let you try the product for 30 days."

Is saying the same thing a second time clearer?

jinjuku

reeltrouble1 wrote: »

Frankly I was trying to help you understand, however, I will now be more blunt...your post is moronic and adds nothing to the forum.

At least I know how to correctly read some ones post:rolleyes:

There is nothing remiss about suggesting (if one can) to demo product 'in home'.

Emotiva lets you do that. I would hope that you could do the same with a B&K product. B&K may be worth every penny. They have a solid reputation.

jinjuku

reeltrouble1 wrote: »

My best advice is not to speak of gear you have no personal experience with. The OP wants some real experience and info.

RT1

First, find in the OP where they asked what you just ASSumed: "The OP wants some real experience..." Go on, we're all ears here.

Second there is simply no replacement for the OP's ears. That is to have both units and A/B and then purchase the preference. I didn't think these concepts would prove so slippery. Others here seem to 'get it'.

Third, I have had the chance to play and demo Emotiva amps. They are making a quality product just like NAD/Outlaw/B&K etc... Just go with your preference.

reeltrouble1

Now you tell CAT you did not know Emotiva was a newer company??

oh boy.

OK rock on with yourself, have fun, but remember folks are reading your responses and rely on them.

RT1

heiney9

jinjuku wrote: »

What are you talking about? You should include context when making a statement. Also when you quote: quote with the context, not with out. No one appreciates an edit like you did with my reply.

I got it just fine and I appreciate editing of inane stuff. I could explain it to you.....but what fun would that be. Spend some quality time here postively interacting and you'll get it too.

H9

reeltrouble1

JP,

I would balance my budget and get the best you can. That would be the B&K. Many accounts of QC issues with Emotiva, some good reports as well though. NO doubt when buying a B&K you are paying a bit for the name and rep and their research which are all fairly stellar in audio land. The B&K gear you are considering will give you a glimpse of high-end hi-fi, the circuit topology is excellent, the company has paid attention to how things sound.

The Emotiva does use some large toroids to supply power and lots of it, it comes down to what I would say is the refinement of the sound. B&K was a mainstay of the now defunct Tweeter stores so now you are going to be dealing with smaller more esoteric dealers, the ones that last are quite liberal with their customers but each is different, find one that wants your business if you choose to try the B&K.

I hope that helps you a bit.

RT1

jinjuku

reeltrouble1 wrote: »

Now you tell CAT you did not know Emotiva was a newer company??

oh boy.

OK rock on with yourself, have fun, but remember folks are reading your responses and rely on them.

RT1

Uhg... This is like teaching children to tie their shoes...

Cfrizz said:

"Simple. Older established company with good product & name recognition, versus the new upstart company trying to get a foot hold."

I believe Emo has been in business since 2003. So it's a matter of opinion as to what is 'Newer' and 'Upstart'. I believe that they aren't an upstart. I hope that they will be around a long time producing, the quality product that I have played with, for a long time.

Cfrizz made a statement about Emotiva (expressly 'Upstart'). If you make a statement like that you should be able to explain/back it up. That statement was obviously made with some knowledge. Just seeing if the poster was talking out of their **** or not.

heiney9

jinjuku wrote: »

talking out of their ****

You should know

jinjuku

heiney9 wrote: »

I got it just fine and I appreciate editing of inane stuff. I could explain it to you.....but what fun would that be. Spend some quality time here postively interacting and you'll get it too.

H9

I really doubt there is anything that you could explain to me. Sad thing is, you probably won't get the message between the lines.

For the record, I was having a positive time here with the OP until someone decided to post a snarky comment based solely on their mis-read of my post.

At least they could do is man up.

reeltrouble1

I use velcro so don't worry I will be fine.

So have you/do you own any B&K or Emotiva gear to specifically comment on?

Lets just help JP make an informed decision.

RT1

jinjuku

reeltrouble1 wrote: »

JP,

I would balance my budget and get the best you can. That would be the B&K.

JP, the real best advice is to demo in home if you can. Most reputable dealers/manufacturers won't have a problem letting you do this. They either believe in the product or they don't. Don't trust a vendor/dealer that doesn't trust that their own product won't wow you in your own home.

Sorry that you are getting blanket statements about the B&K. You should try to reasonably A/B the Emotiva and the B&K.

heiney9

I have several audio buddies who have B & K and some have owned a lot of other gear namely Outlaw which is very very similar to Emo. The B & K is the better choice in both preferred sound, which I realize is subjective, customer service, quality, etc. I've spent sometime with Emo and came away extremely underwhelmed for all the positive attention they seem to get from their fan club.

I am a big fan of RT1's method of doing it right the first time so if the B & K is a little out of budget wait until you can afford it in your budget.

Emo is entry level and more geared towards the beginner and if you are passed that stage in your audio journey I highly recommend B & K as the better choice based on the information you've provided.

YMMV

H9

jinjuku

reeltrouble1 wrote: »

I use velcro so don't worry I will be fine.

So have you/do you own any B&K or Emotiva gear to specifically comment on?

Lets just help JP make an informed decision.

RT1

I have solid play time with the XPA-3. Nice amp. I specifically own some Crown and Behringer product. I have hands on NAD when ever I want (a few demo units at the shop along with some Denon). Other product that I have installed: Crest, Rane, Bogen, QMX, BGW (years ago), Alesis... That would be x-overs, sound processors, compressors/limiters, EQ's, mic's

Most of my time is spent in the commercial sector. Installing lighting and A/V control systems. Extron, AMX, Crestron, Bose Commercial etc...

reeltrouble1

jinjuku wrote: »

You should try to reasonably A/B the Emotiva and the B&K.

good idea.

JP,

I would not limit myself though to just these two companies there are many more who make nice audio gear. Should you want to demo the Music Direct company carries some nice gear with the in home trial.

Still if you can establish some relationships with local dealers in your area this can be rewarding. Also the pages of Audiogon are filled with amplifiers to read and research about.

One note of caution on the Emotiva, members here doing the demo/purchasing who have had QC issues find the owner reluctant to refund rather they have been offered other gear, replacements so on. You do have to pay for the gear from them before they send it to you, not unusual as Music Direct does the samething along with others. I can say with MD when I return trial gear, after a few short questions a RA is given and a refund (less shipping) is received in a timely manner once they get the piece back.

RT1

cfrizz

Here are the facts that you could have easily gotten before you jumped all over my post just because you were pissed off at Ted.

B & K began in 1981. Emo began in 2003.

That's 22 years to build up name brand recognition & reputation Einstein!

Emo's got a long way to go to catch up to that.

Time for me to put one arrogant child on my ignore list.

jinjuku wrote: »

Uhg... This is like teaching children to tie their shoes...

Cfrizz said:

"Simple. Older established company with good product & name recognition, versus the new upstart company trying to get a foot hold."

I believe Emo has been in business since 2003. So it's a matter of opinion as to what is 'Newer' and 'Upstart'. I believe that they aren't an upstart. I hope that they will be around a long time producing, the quality product that I have played with, for a long time.

Cfrizz made a statement about Emotiva (expressly 'Upstart'). If you make a statement like that you should be able to explain/back it up. That statement was obviously made with some knowledge. Just seeing if the poster was talking out of their **** or not.

F1nut

so if someone could explain the reason price difference

Quality sound.

Not quality sound.

Simple, eh!?!

cnh

cfrizz wrote: »

Here are the facts that you could have easily gotten before you jumped all over my post just because you were pissed off at Ted.

B & K began in 1981. Emo began in 2003.

That's 22 years to build up name brand recognition & reputation Einstein!

Emo's got a long way to go to catch up to that.

Time for me to put one arrogant child on my ignore list.

This is straight to the point, even if you haven't heard B&K, you should be careful when comparing it to Emotiva which is really 'the new kid on the block'. And that 'is' all anybody here is saying. So hang back and relax. Reeltrouble has some good advice about hearing as many vendors as you can...A/B tests great idea. So to O/P rock on!

cnh

dorokusai

I'd save some money and go with an older B&K 5 or 7 channel amplifier. They drop in from 600-1200 depending on the actual model.

jinjuku

cfrizz wrote: »

Here are the facts that you could have easily gotten before you jumped all over my post just because you were pissed off at Ted.

B & K began in 1981. Emo began in 2003.

That's 22 years to build up name brand recognition & reputation Einstein!

Emo's got a long way to go to catch up to that.

Time for me to put one arrogant child on my ignore list.

And what is your point? Yes Emo is trying to catch up to that. Nothing wrong with it.

Please lets not insult the collective intelligence and try to pass off Emo as an 'Upstart'. It's incorrect and disingenuous to the spirit of these forums. Emo also has a good reputation. Even on the Polk forums. Not sure what your grind is.

I have no horse in Emo / B&K. My simple advice was 'Use ones Ears'. My other advice since experiencing some of the regulars here: 'Use ones Eyes'. Read posts thoroughly.

Ignore list? knock yourself out.