Emotiva XPA-2 2-Channel Audio Power Amplifier

So, you finally splurged on those new top-of-the-line speakers.  Only problem is, they aren’t just power hungry… they are literally dying for every ounce of wattage that comes along.  You realize it’s time to make an upgrade in the amplifier department… something worthy of those new speakers.  Sadly, you just don’t have thousands of dollars to waste away.  I’m sure most of your savings have disappeared in the ever-deepening stock market chasm.  But wait, did you hear about Emotiva’s new XPA series?  You didn’t?!  My personal favorite is their newly released XPA-2, a two-channel audio power amplifier.  Buyer beware, you might need to install a dedicated 20-amp breaker for this monster!  It will easily power anything you send its way, and then some.

 Audio review magazines are comparing the XPA-2 with amplifiers costing upwards of $7,000.  In a review by Audioholics, they described the amp as, “The ultimate high power 2 channel reference amp.  Every aspect of the amp was designed for superior performance.”  One would think the cost of such a supreme product would warrant an even more supreme price.  The same author stated, “The XPA-2 is not only the most powerful amplifier that has come across my test bench, but it represents the best in value in consumer two-channel amplification that I’ve ever seen.”  Not bad coming from a guy who’s job it is to review thousands of products each year.  So, if you had to guess, what would you say the price was?  $3,000?  Maybe even as low as $2,000?  I mean come on, were talking about an amp that, “bested [a] $7,000 10 channel Denon POA-A1HDCI by a considerable margin”! (Audioholics)  Would you believe $799?!  I didn’t at first, but Emotiva has continued to produce top quality reference products at ridiculously low prices.  Part of their strategy comes from an Internet based company that ships direct from the factory.  No stores and no advertising.  I can see why.  When you make products of this caliber, word of mouth alone will be enough to entice many new customers.

So now that you’ve found the perfect upgrade for your home entertainment system, get out there and do some early Christmas shopping.  I even have an early Christmas gift for you!  Right now Emotiva is selling the XPA-2 at $100 off at only $699!  With free shipping!  At 75 pounds, free shipping is a lot bigger savings than you might think.  Hurry, this offer will only last ‘till the end of the year.

http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/amplifiers/emotiva-xpa-2 

Hail to the Ears

Numerous times I have found myself wanting to listen to music when it just wasn't plausible.  Maybe you get home late from work and the wife is already sleeping.  Perhaps the newborn is taking a nap, in which case you really don't want to make the slightest noise.  Or perhaps you just want to engulf yourself within a symphony, blocking out all other distractions.  It appears we are in dire need for headphones.  And not just any headphone, mind you.  We need something which will enable our ears to feast on every note.  A sound that is not only clear and precise, but also soothing and full.  In comes the AKG K701's.  At first glance you realize the studio grade headphones are a work of art.  But the real magic begins after you place them over your ears and begin to listen in ways never before felt.  Stunning imagery, completely undistorted even at high volumes, and comfort are just a few of the many attributes provided by the K701's.  As earphones are concerned, they are a tad spendy at $450, but a little searching on the internet can land you a brand new pair for under $260 (http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B000FOU51A/ref=dp_olp_2).  Of course, click here http://www.enjoythemusic.com/SuperiorAudio/equipment/1106/akg_k701.htm to enjoy some more light reading on the subject.

Dayton 10" Titanic Mk III Subwoofer Kit

There is nothing better than finding an absolute steal in speakers.  Especially when it comes to a subwoofer that can actually perform.  To put it bluntly, this is a gem!  For only $350, you will never beat the price to performance ratio.

Typically, when you purchase a subwoofer, or any speaker for that matter, you are paying for much more than just parts.  Brand name, construction, advertising, and dealer markup just to name a few.  With the Dayton 10" Titanic Mk III Subwoofer Kit, you are getting a $140 driver, a $199 amplifier, a very stout 3/4" MDF cabinet complete with all the nuts and bolts (it even comes pre-drilled and routed), a finished grille, and some really heavy duty spikes!  The website offers deals on the sub all the time, sometimes even including free shipping!  For a package weight totalling 64 lbs, that is a substantial amount of savings.

So wait, your telling me I can purchase a great driver and amplifier, and pretty much get everything else free to complete an excellent sounding subwoofer?  Yes, yes, and yes!  Not only does this subwoofer extend down to the upper 20Hz region, it is also an extremely fast sub, meaning it recovers very fast from each "note".  This makes it not only a great movie sub, but also an excellent musical sub.  It's hard enough trying to find a sub which can do the job of both, and at this price range... well, let's just say I've never heard one.

But wait, there's a catch.  It doesn't come put together.  I know what some of you are thinking.  There is not way you could put this together and it actually ends up working.  Well folks, I purchased one a few months ago, and believe it or not, it was actually quite simple.  The instructions were great, and being that there is one square hole and one round hole, it's kind of hard to screw that up!  I actually had a blast putting it together.  In one hour, you can construct a great sounding subwoofer and actually call it yours.  Plus, if you have kids, they will also have a great time helping you on this little project.  To make it even more of an incentive, the finished version of the same subwoofer adds on an extra $150 to the tab.  For an hour of labor, they must have attorneys building these subs at their factory!

So now it's time to present a review of this product by a professional.  I would like to add one little note though.  There has been an update since this review.  The instructions have been updated and the T-nuts he had a problem with are now pre-assembled and work flawlessly.

http://www.onhifi.com/product/dayton_titanicsub.htm

Alright, now that you have read the review and are really interested in getting this great sub, here is an easy link to order it.  Happy rumbling!

http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&Partnumber=300-760

Gallo Nucleus Reference 3.1

I guess I've decided to start my first blog with a bang!  A pair of these beauties goes for $2,995.00 and believe it or not, they are an absolute bargain at that price.  These are the most expensive speakers I will recommend, mostly because there are no other products on the market equaling its performance... unless you are shopping in the "above $10,000" range.  Personally, I think it's ludicrous people actually spend tens of thousands of dollars on a pair of speakers.  So, without further a due, I highly recommend these speakers and place them at the pinnacle of speaker heaven.  From what you will notice in the future, I won't talk a lot about specific products and their specs.  I figure there are many professionals getting paid lots of money to write pages of reviews.  So, I will just post links to their sites and you can have fun reading about them all day long.  Here are two excellent reviews of these speakers.

6 Moons Review: 

http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/gallo5/ref31.html

Home Theater HiFi Review: 

http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/volume_14_1/gallo-reference-speakers-1-2007-part-1.html

So, if you have the budget, get these speakers!  If you can't afford them, you are in luck.  I have many other great speaker options at much lower prices.