Amplifier? do i need one? - Blu-ray Forum

Paranormal · 07-17-2009, 10:38 PM

hello,

as I dwell deeper and deeper into the home AV world I'm finding myself interested in a amplifier particularly a Emotiva amp.

currently i run a 3.1 setup with a L/R/C and two subs. all being powered by my SC-05

my question is this. will i notice a huge difference with a amp from emotiva? or does my sc-05 do the job just fine?

also what kind of amp would i be looking at a 3 channel or 2 channel? I am assuming 3 since i use a center channel but I just want to make sure. Oh and one more thing what about my subs? will they be fine off the sc-05 or do i need to look at a different amp that can handle everything

i was looking at this amp
http://emotiva.com/xpa3.shtm

thanks and sorry for my dumbness

blujacket · 07-17-2009, 10:42 PM

I would get surrounds first. Are your subs amps on board? If so, no additional amps needed for them.

Paranormal · 07-17-2009, 10:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blujacket

I would get surrounds first.

look at my gallery pics its just about impossible for surrounds.. unless someone invents hover board speakerstands soon

and yes the subs have amps on board..

so i assume that if i got a new amp i would just rerun mcacc on my receiver and adjust levels accordingly to match the subs with the speakers? or is that not even needed

blujacket · 07-17-2009, 10:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paranormal

look at my gallery pics its just about impossible for surrounds.. unless someone invents hover board speakerstands soon

Ouch. No attic acess? You could run a fish tape under that carpet.

dolphinc · 07-17-2009, 11:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blujacket

Ouch. No attic acess? You could run a fish tape under that carpet.

Blujacket is right, is there any way to get in the attic? Nice setup by the way, I love the dual subs...

crazyBLUE · 07-17-2009, 11:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paranormal

look at my gallery pics its just about impossible for surrounds.. unless someone invents hover board speakerstands soon

and yes the subs have amps on board..

so i assume that if i got a new amp i would just rerun mcacc on my receiver and adjust levels accordingly to match the subs with the speakers? or is that not even needed

Impossible is so untrue for you having surrounds ! Look what I have done !!

dolphinc · 07-17-2009, 11:26 PM

I use the rocket fish wireless speaker kit in my 1st home theater (see pics) and it works great. I did not want to see the cables so I added the wireless. $99 from Best Buy and it made a world of difference.

STARKILLER--1138 · 07-18-2009, 05:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crazyBLUE

Impossible is so untrue for you having surrounds ! Look what I have done !!

Agreed! Looking at pics of the room, there are plenty of options for rear speaker placement. Go w/ surrounds first, and an external amp second.

As for noticing a difference, I did, and most do.

red_5ive · 07-18-2009, 06:30 AM

Generally adding an external amp will clean up the sound. But I agree with the speakers, try and get some surrounds in there first. It isn't like the SC-05 is any kind of slouch! BTW, great setup and gear!

Paranormal · 07-18-2009, 07:25 PM

can you guys recommend exactly how i should do this.

i have windows and things on one side and a stair way to the basement on the other..

excuse the messy pics

JasonR · 07-18-2009, 09:08 PM

Have you considered in-ceiling for surrounds?

http://www.klipsch.com/na-en/product...iling-speaker/

Edit: Nevermind, just saw you had vaulted ceilings, might make i a little tough....

STARKILLER--1138 · 07-18-2009, 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JasonR

Have you considered in-ceiling for surrounds?

http://www.klipsch.com/na-en/product...iling-speaker/

Edit: Nevermind, just saw you had vaulted ceilings, might make i a little tough....

Still doable though. Looks like a 5.1 set up would work too with the walls on both sides of the seating area.

sokrman14 · 07-18-2009, 09:47 PM

With those Klipsch you most likely wouldnt hear an audible difference with an amp. Those speakers are so efficient as it is that they wouldnt benefit too much from a stand alone amp. Pioneer Elite uses pretty good amps, and although emotiva are separates, they are on the lower end of the world of separates. I just don't feel it would be an audible improvement with the combination you already have.

-DLS- · 07-18-2009, 09:51 PM

I have the XPA-3 and love it but I agree your speakers should be fine with your SC-05.

For your surrounds - the only thing I could think of is to run everything to the right side with a good gauge speaker wire and with that fire place being in the way maybe just a thin wire conduit run around it? The right side of the couch doesn't look like a high traffic area anyway so you could probably cover up that little space with a wire mat or something and the left speaker maybe under the seats. What ever works but I also agree that the surrounds is a must especially since everything else you got is good - you deserve the whole experience!

350gt · 07-18-2009, 10:29 PM

Move your theater to the basement????.....If Only I had a basement

Steve · 07-18-2009, 10:59 PM

You have a very nice setup going there. I will echo the others here about adding surrounds. If you can get them placed somewhere, they will make a huge difference.

By the way, was that a Schipperke I saw in one of your pics?

Paranormal · 07-18-2009, 11:43 PM

yes it is Fireman325

his name is chaos he is my girls dog but i have come to love him.

a very vicious guard dog too

Steve · 07-19-2009, 12:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paranormal

yes it is Fireman325

his name is chaos he is my girls dog but i have come to love him.

a very vicious guard dog too

They're actually really good dogs IMO. We have one, and my wife's family has had them almost her entire life. I love that they don't just sit and bark for no reason (unlike my Sheltie). They're VERY protective. Ours once got between me and an out of control Lab. My Schipperke is about 11 lbs, and I ended up having to beat the Lab off of her, but I give her credit for trying.

blujacket · 07-19-2009, 11:46 AM

Is your basement finished? If not, drill through the floor and run speaker cables across the room.

07-17-2009, 10:38 PM	#1
Paranormal Member Member since:Jul 2009 Home Theater Gallery:21 Blu-ray collection:112	Amplifier? do i need one? hello, as I dwell deeper and deeper into the home AV world I'm finding myself interested in a amplifier particularly a Emotiva amp. currently i run a 3.1 setup with a L/R/C and two subs. all being powered by my SC-05 my question is this. will i notice a huge difference with a amp from emotiva? or does my sc-05 do the job just fine? also what kind of amp would i be looking at a 3 channel or 2 channel? I am assuming 3 since i use a center channel but I just want to make sure. Oh and one more thing what about my subs? will they be fine off the sc-05 or do i need to look at a different amp that can handle everything i was looking at this amp http://emotiva.com/xpa3.shtm thanks and sorry for my dumbness Last edited by Paranormal; 07-17-2009 at 10:41 PM.

07-18-2009, 09:08 PM	#11
JasonR Super Moderator Top contributor Member since:Nov 2007 Trading Score:12	Have you considered in-ceiling for surrounds? http://www.klipsch.com/na-en/product...iling-speaker/ Edit: Nevermind, just saw you had vaulted ceilings, might make i a little tough.... Last edited by JasonR; 07-18-2009 at 09:14 PM.

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07-17-2009, 10:42 PM	#2
blujacket Blu-ray Guru Member since:Jun 2007 Location:Dayton,Ohio 4K collection:70 Blu-ray collection:658	I would get surrounds first. Are your subs amps on board? If so, no additional amps needed for them.

07-17-2009, 11:26 PM	#7
dolphinc Power Member Member since:May 2009 Location:Florida	I use the rocket fish wireless speaker kit in my 1st home theater (see pics) and it works great. I did not want to see the cables so I added the wireless. $99 from Best Buy and it made a world of difference.

07-18-2009, 06:30 AM	#9
red_5ive Blu-ray Champion Top ranked HT gallery Top contributor Member since:Aug 2007 Location:The 'state' of Southern California Home Theater Gallery:18 4K collection:369 Blu-ray collection:1002 DVD collection:4 Blu-ray reviews: 2 Trading Score:1	Generally adding an external amp will clean up the sound. But I agree with the speakers, try and get some surrounds in there first. It isn't like the SC-05 is any kind of slouch! BTW, great setup and gear!

07-18-2009, 07:25 PM	#10
Paranormal Member Member since:Jul 2009 Home Theater Gallery:21 Blu-ray collection:112	can you guys recommend exactly how i should do this. i have windows and things on one side and a stair way to the basement on the other.. excuse the messy pics

07-18-2009, 09:47 PM	#13
sokrman14 Special Member Member since:Mar 2006 Location:Omaha, NE Home Theater Gallery:9 Blu-ray collection:32 Blu-ray reviews:1 Trading Score:1	With those Klipsch you most likely wouldnt hear an audible difference with an amp. Those speakers are so efficient as it is that they wouldnt benefit too much from a stand alone amp. Pioneer Elite uses pretty good amps, and although emotiva are separates, they are on the lower end of the world of separates. I just don't feel it would be an audible improvement with the combination you already have.

07-18-2009, 09:51 PM	#14
-DLS- Special Member Top ranked HT gallery Top contributor Member since:Apr 2008 Location:CANADA Home Theater Gallery:28 Blu-ray collection:-	I have the XPA-3 and love it but I agree your speakers should be fine with your SC-05. For your surrounds - the only thing I could think of is to run everything to the right side with a good gauge speaker wire and with that fire place being in the way maybe just a thin wire conduit run around it? The right side of the couch doesn't look like a high traffic area anyway so you could probably cover up that little space with a wire mat or something and the left speaker maybe under the seats. What ever works but I also agree that the surrounds is a must especially since everything else you got is good - you deserve the whole experience!

07-18-2009, 10:29 PM	#15
350gt Active Member Member since:May 2009 Location:teXASS.. Home Theater Gallery:24 Blu-ray collection:20	Move your theater to the basement????.....If Only I had a basement

07-18-2009, 10:59 PM	#16
Steve Blu-ray Knight Top ranked HT gallery Top contributor Member since:May 2008 Location:Anna, TX 4K collection:128 Blu-ray collection:416 Trading Score:41	You have a very nice setup going there. I will echo the others here about adding surrounds. If you can get them placed somewhere, they will make a huge difference. By the way, was that a Schipperke I saw in one of your pics?

07-18-2009, 11:43 PM	#17
Paranormal Member Member since:Jul 2009 Home Theater Gallery:21 Blu-ray collection:112	yes it is Fireman325 his name is chaos he is my girls dog but i have come to love him. a very vicious guard dog too

07-19-2009, 11:46 AM	#19
blujacket Blu-ray Guru Member since:Jun 2007 Location:Dayton,Ohio 4K collection:70 Blu-ray collection:658	Is your basement finished? If not, drill through the floor and run speaker cables across the room.

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