Emo Gear

[mike19v]

Hello All,

Question of sorts. I am nearing the end of my entire home remodel to keep the wifey happy, and I am now moving on to my theater build to make me happy(ier.) I have been checking on some gear, and I am trying to keep things somewhere in the 3-4k budget for speaks and AVR. I recently have been looking at the Emo gear, and I am thinking of drinking the kool-aid and getting the 7CH pre and 7CH amp combo. I was just wanting to get the general consensus on if they were the way to go, or for north of a kilo-buck I can get something better for similar prices. Any input is valued.

Just an FYI, I will be using 7 pairs of the Dayton ME 6.5" ceiling speakers placed all around the room, so 4 OHM stability is needed.

[Adam_G]

Re: Emo Gear

Just a heads up, you should put this in the Tech Talk Forum rather than the Speaker Project Gallery. You'll get a much better response in there.

[joeybutts]

Re: Emo Gear

Big supporter of the Emo amps. I only have experience with the UMC-1 Pre/pro and I would give it a 75-80 out of 100.

That said, no offense meant, but seems like a bit of a waste to use gear like that on ceiling speakers, or are these going to actually be in walls?

If I was going ceiling speakers, I would probably go with a nice refurb AVR from A4L.

[wrxified]

Re: Emo Gear

There is no gimmick to what Emotiva does and has to offer. It's 100% legit. In a sense it's the same idea behind why everyone is here on this forum and hooked on DIY audio.

1. Cut out the middle man.
2. Don't sell out to the big box stores.
3. Stand behind the product.

I don't have any of the Emotiva labelled gear but I have the Sherbourn SR-120. Sherbourn's owned by Emotiva. You would be hard pressed to find anything, other than used and outdated, that gives you the power per dollar you get from Emotiva's gear unless you're building it yourself. When you lift an Emotiva amp and your back nearly gives out you'll get an idea of what's inside. Fully discreet topology with massive torodial power supply.

5 year warranty, outstanding quality and superb customer service. I can't think of what more people would want other than a fancy name.

[generic]

Re: Emo Gear

I agree that Emo gear would be overkill for in-wall speakers. Kinda like sticking touring low rolling resistance tires on a Porsche. I like in-walls too and I want to use them myself later on, but their is no point in using anything but well designed box speakers with Emo gear.

I'm no longer active, but on The Home Theater Shack forums, a lot of guys recommended using good AVR gear with pre-outs as the pre-amp mixed with Emo amps. That was years ago and the reasoning was because Audyssey Room Calibration or even Yamaha's auto EQ software had a much larger development department. I really don't know how far Emo has come along in that regard, but they are still the little guy and they have big shoes to fill.

[joeybutts]

Re: Emo Gear

I agree that Emo gear would be overkill for in-wall speakers. Kinda like sticking touring low rolling resistance tires on a Porsche. I like in-walls too and I want to use them myself later on, but their is no point in using anything but well designed box speakers with Emo gear.

I'm no longer active, but on The Home Theater Shack forums, a lot of guys recommended using good AVR gear with pre-outs as the pre-amp mixed with Emo amps. That was years ago and the reasoning was because Audyssey Room Calibration or even Yamaha's auto EQ software had a much larger development department. I really don't know how far Emo has come along in that regard, but they are still the little guy and they have big shoes to fill.

That's how I roll....see sig. Only wish I could see what my AVR is doing with my substage, but that isn't an Emo issue.

[SirNickity]

Re: Emo Gear

I would be very interested in some of the Emo pre/pro's if they had analog video inputs. I need to upgrade my current AVR because it has no HDMI. Looked at the Emo stuff, and it only has HDMI. Ugh.. ><

[mike19v]

Re: Emo Gear

I guess decent stable 4 ohm operation is what I am looking for. I am a big fan of spending a few bucks more so that I have the expandability in the future, hence why I am looking at Emo, but if I can get this out of a decent AVR, then that may be the way to go. I just heard that Emo is the bees-knees, but I do not know anyone around me that has it. Actually, I am the only one of my circle that actually cares about sound. They are more content with an overpriced Bose HTIB setup than making something an experience. I just want a pleasing aesthetic in the room, so I have to go with ceiling and wall speakers.

[joeybutts]

Re: Emo Gear

I guess decent stable 4 ohm operation is what I am looking for. I am a big fan of spending a few bucks more so that I have the expandability in the future, hence why I am looking at Emo, but if I can get this out of a decent AVR, then that may be the way to go. I just heard that Emo is the bees-knees, but I do not know anyone around me that has it. Actually, I am the only one of my circle that actually cares about sound. They are more content with an overpriced Bose HTIB setup than making something an experience. I just want a pleasing aesthetic in the room, so I have to go with ceiling and wall speakers.

Forego the ceilings, go wall, buy Emo and decent AVR. That is what I would do if they were my only options. You can definitely make some solid in walls if you are willing to make the effort.

[generic]

Re: Emo Gear

For the front three speakers, they should be at minimum either in wall or on wall speakers. Ceiling speakers for surrounds would probably be okay.

[mattfaske]

Re: Emo Gear

Last year I replaced my Parasound HCA2003 (200w x 3) amp with an Emo XPA-5 (200w x 5), and decided to go ahead and get a Emotiva pre/processor as well. I have been very happy with the performance. Sorry I don't have much to offer in terms of a technical analysis. I can just say that my ears like what they hear, and the processor was a great value with enough features to keep my happy until the XMC-1 is launched.

[djhamp]

Re: Emo Gear

I bought my Denon 3311 first, to drive all Mirage speakers (5.1). I have since upgraded all speakers to Magnepan - which are 4 ohm and at that time a bought a Emo XPA-5 to drive the speakers. The Denon is acting as the pre-amp. This is working fine and Audyssey seems to work fine for my setup - but if I was doing it again I would get the Emo UMC-200 instead of the Denon. I like the Emotiva equipment and the company. I have been trying to talk my son into buying the Denon so I can justify the switch!

[bearhaus]

Re: Emo Gear

I agree that Emo gear is top notch and won't break the bank but I would get a pre elsewhere especially if this is for surround sound use.

For surround sound a pre or receiver with Audyssey MultEQ XT32 is the absolute best room correction available at the moment so I highly recommend buying something that has it. Of course, for music listening you'll most likely want to listen sans processing...

I'm planning a basement HT and the research I've done has me wanting Emotiva amps and most likely a Denon X4000. It's a fairly pricey receiver but has very stellar features like the Audyssey I mentioned and even dual sub EQing as well. I am most likely buying that Denon and then the Emotiva amps down the road if the internal amps don't cut it. This seems like it would be good plan of action for you too.

[BOBinGA]

Re: Emo Gear

SirNickety,
If you need analog inputs, look at the Outlaw 975. Its about the same price as the Emo, but the difference is that the Outlaw has a full compliment of analog inputs.

http://outlawaudio.com/products/975.html

-Bob

[rkeman]

Re: Emo Gear

The loudspeaker and room acoustics do more to determine the quality of sound then anything else. Currently available in-wall speakers will greatly limit the performance and other possibilities should be considered. Perhaps the left main, right main and center channels could be freestanding with the side, surrounds and height channels placed in or on the walls? With a budget as large as proposed there are many high quality solutions and a little research and planning could be very beneficial.

One possibility that I have real experience with are Hsu Research loudspeakers. The stand-mounted monitor and in-wall speaker are tonally neutral and can image very well. Their high sensitivity and easy load means that even a 50 watt AVR (e.g. Marantz 1403) will be able to produce reference levels in most domestic listening rooms. No need for large exotic amplifiers! The matching subwoofers are also very good and offer fine value.

If the DIY route is more appealing, I'd suggest the constant directivity two-way designs from the diysoundgroup. The smaller versions can be modified for wall mounting and the larger models offer superb performance. Several different lines with similar tonal characteristics are available making mixing and matching easier. Subwoofer kits are also available or consider one of the several great kits available at Parts Express.

Regardless of which loudspeakers are chosen, learn a little about acoustic room treatment and seriously consider incorporating some absorption and diffusion in your plans. Ethan Winer's website is a great place to start. Remember that even the best electronic room correction (e.g. Audyssey MultiEq XT32) can't address poor room acoustics. Quality electronics are important, but the right loudspeakers and appropriate acoustic room treatment really make the greatest contribution to sound quality.