Emotiva LPA-1 Impressions by Joe Sixpack

[Rich-n-Texas]

So who gave pix the job of antagonist here on our forums?

[GMichael]

Self employed

[Rich-n-Texas]

Just another FYI... the LPA-1 has been officially discontinued. The replacement 7.1 amp is the UPA-7 @ $649.00

[pixelthis]

What are you doing out in the middle of the day? Don't you need your sleep?

This global warming has me just worried to death

[pixelthis]

So who gave pix the job of antagonist here on our forums?

Well, since they let you go...
really tho, does stating unpleasant truth, trying to get a debate going, informing people,
does that make you an antagonist?
I AM SUCH A NICE GUY, REALLY

[GMichael]

Love the yellow eyes. But that smile seems forced.

[Rich-n-Texas]

Whoever made your dentures should be shot!

[pixelthis]

Whoever made your dentures should be shot!

DENTURES???
I am really not that old you know

[Rich-n-Texas]

To get this back on track, sorta, I've done some furniture re-arranging in the room and I'm in the process of hanging four panels, two of which are ATS designer "Coffee Series" panels that I purchased while ATS was offering free shipping. I have to say that, at least with concert DVD's, bass response is improving. I was watching Peter Gabriel's "Growing Up" concert DVD, and the center channel level seemed low. Why would that be, and I don't think it was because I had louder LFE output. When I switched LFE output from Both to Sub Only there was no noticeable difference in LFE or center channel levels. Also, the brightness I was hearing when playing CD's through the PS3 seems to have been tamed a bit. I will still be purchasing the BFD, and maybe sooner than Christmas.

[pixelthis]

WELL, you know , Rich, almost all of that emotiva is "outsourced"
and according to Wooch that makes for a really crappy product.

THEY HAVE TO DIG DIRT OUTTA THE GROUND, FORGE THE PARTS,
design it from the ground up and build everything themselves.
AND deliver it by their own shipping company.
CAN'T HAVE ANY OF THAT "outsourcing" going on you know.

[Rich-n-Texas]

WELL, you know , Rich, almost all of that emotiva is "outsourced"
and according to Wooch that makes for a really crappy product.

"To each his own"

THEY HAVE TO DIG DIRT OUTTA THE GROUND, FORGE THE PARTS,
design it from the ground up and build everything themselves.
AND deliver it by their own shipping company.
CAN'T HAVE ANY OF THAT "outsourcing" going on you know.

"It is what it is"

Just trying to make conversation.

[kexodusc]

I was watching Peter Gabriel's "Growing Up" concert DVD, and the center channel level seemed low. Why would that be, and I don't think it was because I had louder LFE output. When I switched LFE output from Both to Sub Only there was no noticeable difference in LFE or center channel levels. Also, the brightness I was hearing when playing CD's through the PS3 seems to have been tamed a bit. I will still be purchasing the BFD, and maybe sooner than Christmas.

How did outsourcing get into this thread? Did Pix get lost and post in the wrong thread again? Pix, buddy - outsourcing ain't all bad if it's done right - but for the record, Emotiva does most of the production in house (though I'm sure like most companies, they dont' cast their own machine screws, nuts, bolts, wires, wind their own inductors, etc...that's best left to specialty companies anyway).


Anyway, back OT....Rich the above could be the mix job on the DVD (most likely). If you have an SPL meter or used the YPAO auto cal and the center channel is SPL matched to the rest of the speakers, are sure the center is calibrated, then that's all that's left really. Of course, if you put in a few new sound absorbers, you might have diminished some of the sound reflection from the center, and the volume at the listening spot could be a bit lower now, then when you originally calibrated it. I noticed in my old home that a few panels on the side really skewed the midrange SPL from my front right speaker - but not the left - the room was shaped differently on that side so less reflection anyway. This stuff can be fussy.

Another possibility - A lot of multi-channel mixes for music don't even use the center channel - a lot of studio engineers prefer keeping the front stereo pair solely repsonsible for the front soundstage. I have more than a few concert DVD's, DVD-A's, and SACD's like that. Walk up to it and listen to the center to see if it's even being used.

[Rich-n-Texas]

No, I haven't done a recal of speaker levels since re-arranging furniture and placing two 2' x 4' panels at approximately the first reflection point of the right main. A fabric covered loveseat now sits at about the same location as the panels on the left side, and I put the valence for the drapes behind the loveseat back up. These all, in my head, seem to have made a difference in what I hear. Before I made these changes, the center channel level was higher when playing the same DVD. A Ratshack SPL meter is in my shopping cart. Might as well buy one now because who knows what state this country is going to be in tomorrow.

[GMichael]

WELL, you know , Rich, almost all of that emotiva is "outsourced"
and according to Wooch that makes for a really crappy product.

THEY HAVE TO DIG DIRT OUTTA THE GROUND, FORGE THE PARTS,
design it from the ground up and build everything themselves.
AND deliver it by their own shipping company.
CAN'T HAVE ANY OF THAT "outsourcing" going on you know.

You are totally missing the point Wooch is trying to get through to you. Outsourcing means that you loose a level of control and consistency. One model may turn out great while the next is not so hot. Emotiva seems to make great amps but falls a little short with their processors so far.

Outsourcing does not equal crap. Just inconsistency.

[L.J.]

No, I haven't done a recal of speaker levels since re-arranging furniture and placing two 2' x 4' panels at approximately the first reflection point of the right main. A fabric covered loveseat now sits at about the same location as the panels on the left side, and I put the valence for the drapes behind the loveseat back up. These all, in my head, seem to have made a difference in what I hear. Before I made these changes, the center channel level was higher when playing the same DVD. A Ratshack SPL meter is in my shopping cart. Might as well buy one now because who knows what state this country is going to be in tomorrow.

Didn't I tell you to buy one of those a long time ago. Rich, what are we gonna do with you

[Rich-n-Texas]

GM, L.J.'s picking on me.

I was using a Simpson meter I brought home from work previously, but Kex pointed out some potential issues when using it for low frequency measurements. I'm going to need an SPL meter when I start in with the BFD right, so now's the time. I also mentioned that I wanted to get the 8 ATS panels I bought hung, and I was counting on you L.J. to show me some updated pics of your HT room for reference.

[GMichael]

GM, L.J.'s picking on me.

:

Don't make me turn this website around.

[Rich-n-Texas]

BTW, what kind of cabling do I need in order to integrate the BFD into my system (probably already been mentioned but I can't find the answer here)? The BFD tech specs indicate XLR & TRS connectors so I assume I'm going to have to do some adapting, correct?

[L.J.]

BTW, what kind of cabling do I need in order to integrate the BFD into my system (probably already been mentioned but I can't find the answer here)? The BFD tech specs indicate XLR & TRS connectors so I assume I'm going to have to do some adapting, correct?

Yup. BTW, you probably should go on over to HT shack and read the BFD guide a couple of times to get familiar with it.

[Rich-n-Texas]

I have that page bookmarked at home. However, isn't that why you and Kex are here?

Let's get those mailboxes cleaned up guys!

[kexodusc]

I have that page bookmarked at home. However, isn't that why you and Kex are here?

Let's get those mailboxes cleaned up guys!

Yeah, you'll probably need some 1/4" to RCA cables. I've used the adaptors and cables, and didn't notice any difference if you choose to just stick with an RCA to 1/4" adaptor instead of a whole cable. Up to you.

[Rich-n-Texas]

Actually I do have one adapter at home.

Ya know, I have yet to find one picture of the BFD's backpanel.

[L.J.]

Parts Express got pics.

[Rich-n-Texas]

So does HTshack, Beringer and Amazon. No backpanel pics. BTW, can those mounting ears be removed?

[L.J.]

So does HTshack, Beringer and Amazon. No backpanel pics. BTW, can those mounting ears be removed?

Rich Rich Rich...What are we gonna do with you

Look at this one. It's pretty much the same.

No, I think the rack mounting ears need to stay on. It's freakin' ugly....I keep mine in a closed cabinet