Help me understand, XPA2 vs XPA5

[NewHTguy]

Sorry if this is a stupid question. Tonight I was reading the specs for the Emotiva XPA2 and the XPA5, both are priced at $799. The specs for the XPA5 are

5 channels - 8 ohm = 200 watts per channel
4 channels - 8 ohm = 230 watts per channel
3 channels - 8 ohm = 250 watts per channel
2 channels - 8 ohm = 275 watts per channel
1 channel - 8 ohm = 300 watts per channel

and

5 channels - 4 ohm = 350 watts per channel
4 channels - 4 ohm = 375 watts per channel
3 channels - 4 ohm = 400 watts per channel
2 channels - 4 ohm = 450 watts per channel
1 channel - 4 ohms = 500 watts per channel

THD+N at rated power output: 0.007%

The specs for the XPA2 are

250 watts RMS/ channel into 8 ohms,
500 watts RMS/ channel into 4 ohms
and 1,000 watts RMS bridged.

THD+N at rated power output: 0.007%

Let's suppose you wanted to drive 8 ohm speakers. Would there be any reason to buy the XPA2? It seems the XPA5 gives you more flexibility and more power at the same price. Why would you ever buy the XPA2? I guess you get a little more power at 4 ohms, but not much.

[Sherardp]

XPA- 2 would be great for those with a 5 channel amp and needed the 2 additional channels being thats its just a two channel amp. Perhaps if you wanted to drive the fronts with it and use the 5 channel for the center/surrounds. Other than that, thats about the reason you'd buy it, or for a 2 channel rig of course.

[Early B.]

Don't place too much emphasis on specs. The XPA-2 sounds better than the XPA-5.

[MikeC78]

They need to build the XPA-5 like the XPA-2.

[olilugo]

well I can think some reasons just by looking at what you posted.
the XPA-5 will handle 5 speakers , the XPA-2 will handle 2 spekers.
the XPA-5 can only go to 200 w, the XPA-2 will go to 250W, but I think the major difference is that you can bridged the XPA-2 to only handle 1 speaker per amp and will be able to drive 500w per channel on 8 ohms or 1000W on 4 ohms, some speakers are rated to 500w on 8ohm or higher. if you bridged, you will need 2 XPA-2 - one per speaker.

[iskandam]

Those numbers don't tell you anything about sound quality. I've never heard the XPA-2 but I've owned the MPS-1 and currently have the XPA-5. I thought that since the XPA-5 have a bit more power it would be better for HT

WRONG

The MPS-1 kills XPA-5 in just about every way except maximum SPL. There is no contest in sound quality. People who've owned both XPA-2 and -5 at the emotiva forum always comment on how much better the XPA-2's sound quality is over -5

[NewHTguy]

Early/iskandam, I know there is more to it than watts and I don't doubt your assessments. But I was hoping there might be some design characteristics that explain why the XPA-2 sounds better than the XPA-5, even though they are made by the same company and the XPA-5 has more wattage when running two channels than the XPA2. Just want to know what to look for and maybe even learn something without becoming an electrical engineer...

[Early B.]

Early/iskandam, I know there is more to it than watts and I don't doubt your assessments. But I was hoping there might be some design characteristics that explain why the XPA-2 sounds better than the XPA-5, even though they are made by the same company and the XPA-5 has more wattage when running two channels than the XPA2. Just want to know what to look for and maybe even learn something without becoming an electrical engineer...

Unfortunately, the design characteristics tell you virtually nothing about how an amp will sound. There's only one way to do that -- you gotta listen to them.

Remember -- watts don't mean squat. I have tube amps running roughly 60 wpc (in triode mode) and they are just as powerful as the XPA-2. Will the XPA-2 play louder? Probably. Will the XPA-2 play more cleanly at high volume levels compared to the tube amps? Hell no.

[NewHTguy]

I guess the fact that there is so much to learn and experience is what makes it an interesting hobby. But the learning curve is quite steep!

[Early B.]

I guess the fact that there is so much to learn and experience is what makes it an interesting hobby. But the learning curve is quite steep!

Yes, and expensive, too!!

[Ron Temple]

Early probably knows these guys much better than I do, but I've talked to Dann and Lonnie a couple of times about these amps. This is Dann's opinion

2 channel amps
RPA 1 - refined, powerful, very popular with audiophiles on a budget. They were going to drop it, but it's back on the table.

XPA 2 - the most powerful, kick in the pants amp they make. Plenty of refinement, but not in the RPA's class.

Multis

MPS 1 & 2 have the most guts and the best sound.

XPA 5 is a true bargain, sounds great as an HT amp, very good for most of us.

The RPA AFAIK can't be used with SDAs, but that XPA 2 is calling my name.

[NewHTguy]

Ron, Thanks for the info!