This week at CES, Emotiva introduced some nice additions and upgrades to their lineup.
Working on the theory that high-quality audio shouldn't break the bank, these audio products are designed and engineered in America. The company actually manufactures most of its products in Tennessee.
I met with Dan Laufman, Emotiva's president and founder, in the company's suite at the Venetian. He showed me the Emersa line, XPA Gen 3 amplifiers, and new Airmotiv speakers.
The Emersa EMP-1 is a full 7.1-channel preamp processor with unbalanced analog outputs, plus a balanced subwoofer output, built-in Bluetooth connectivity, Dirac Live room correction, a USB DAC, and an Ethernet remote control option. Priced at $899, the EMP-1 features an aluminum chassis with an infrared remote control.
The Emersa EPA-1 is a contemporary stereo preamp with digital audio inputs. Priced at $599, it has an OLED display that provides full support for the options installed. It comes with standard support for four pairs of stereo line-level analog inputs and one moving magnet phono input.
Interesting to note is that in stereo mode, the EPA-1 can be connected to a standard stereo power amp or a pair of powered speakers. In 2.1-channel mode, the main outputs on the EPA-1 can be configured with a fixed 80Hz high-pass crossover. A separate summed output is provided to connect a subwoofer. With the Emersa EPA-1, support for various digital audio options are provided by installing one of three optional digital input modules:
Priced at $799, the Emersa EPI-1 is an optional stereo integrated amplifier with digital audio inputs. The Emersa EPI-1 combines all of the features of the Emersa EPA-1 (including the slim chassis and optional digital input modules) with two channels of Bang & Olufsen's ICEpower Class-D power amplification to deliver 100 watts RMS per channel.
There are three Emersa Amp models. All three are designed with the same slim, 1RU chassis, with ICEpower Class-D power amplification found throughout the line. Individually they are:
We then looked at the XPA Gen 3, a custom-tailored component that can be configured to individual systems -- certainly not "off-the-shelf." It's a reference-level audio amplifier, ideal for everything from a single subwoofer, to a stereo playback system, to a complete home theater. The XPA Gen 3 accommodates one to seven channels, multiple power levels, and is ideal for applications from reference stereo to surround sound. All XPA Gen 3 amplifiers share the same chassis and power supply; the modular construction means that any XPA G3 amp can be upgraded by up to seven channels at another time. Each channel combines Emotiva's differential input, fully complementary, short signal path Class A/B amplifier circuitry with optimized Class H power topology, in order to deliver both true audiophile sound quality and high efficiency. The models include the XPA-3 ($1,119), the XPA-4 ($1,399), the XPA-5 ($1,599), the XPA-6 ($1,799), and the XPA-7 ($1,999).
The speaker line is called Airmotiv. The Airmotiv T1 (MSRP: $349 each) is a three-way tower loudspeaker with the Airmotiv folded-ribbon tweeter, a 3-way ported design with dual 6.5-inch woven Kevlar woofers, one 5.25-inch woven Kevlar mid-woofer, and one 25mm x 32mm Airmotiv tweeter. The T1 has inserts for removable spikes and dual speaker terminals for bi-amping or bi-wiring.
The Airmotiv B1 ($299 per pair) is a two-way bookshelf loudspeaker with the Airmotiv folded-ribbon tweeter. The B1 features a 2-way ported design with a 5.25-inch woven Kevlar woofer and a 25mm x 32mm Airmotiv tweeter. It also has dual speaker terminals for bi-amping or bi-wiring.
The Airmotiv C1 ($249 each) is a three-way center-channel loudspeaker with an Airmotiv folded-ribbon tweeter. The C1 features a 3-way ported design, dual 5.25-inch woven Kevlar woofers, one 3-inch woven Kevlar midrange, and one 25mm x 32mm Airmotiv tweeter.
The Airmotiv E1 ($249 per pair) is a two-way, direct-firing side-surround or rear-surround loudspeaker with the Airmotiv folded-ribbon tweeter. It features a 2-way ported design with a 4.5-inch woven Kevlar woofer and a 25mm x 25mm Airmotiv tweeter.
The Airmotiv SB1 ($499 each) is a two-way LCR (three-channel) soundbar with Airmotiv folded-ribbon tweeters. The SB1 has three independent M-T-M speakers for Left/Center/Right in a 3.0 or 3.1 system. Each speaker utilizes six 4-inch woven Kevlar woofers and three 25mm x 25mm Airmotiv tweeters.
The Airmotiv S10 ($499) is a powered subwoofer with a cast frame, a 10-inch long-throw woofer, and a 10-inch passive radiator. The S10 has a 350-watt RMS Class A/B amplifier with balanced and unbalanced inputs and a toroidal power supply. With onboard controls for gain, crossover frequency, and phase, the S10 automatically switches on when a signal is detected.
Finally, the Airmotiv S12 ($699) is a 12-inch powered subwoofer with a cast frame, a long-throw 12-inch woofer, and a 12-inch passive radiator. The S12 has a 500-watt Class A/B amplifier with balanced and unbalanced inputs and a toroidal power supply, as well as onboard controls for gain, crossover frequency, and phase, as well as automatic signal detection and switching.
Emersa components are available exclusively at www.emotiva.com and through authorized Emotiva dealers.
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