Increased Power w/Emotiva T-Zero+ Speakers

[Member 90125]

I am currently running the Emotiva TA-1 amp (100w @4ohm) into the Emotiva T-Zero+ speakers with an RSL 10" sub. I'm wondering if there will be any appreciable improvement to the existing good sound of the T-Zero's by adding a power amp with 250w/4ohm to the system- using the TA-1 as a preamp. I will be looking to upgrade my speakers probably early next year- and having the additional power will be a good thing when I do- I'm just wondering if it would be any benefit to adding the additional power to the T-Zero+ sound quality in the meantime. It's my understanding that some speakers really blossom with additional power- but have no idea if that is the case with this proposal. Any thoughts?

 

[Steven Holt]

No. You have a good rig, stick with it. Even with new speakers (look close at the KEF R3's) 100w per side should drive them easily. Most people get in trouble by adding more power, not less, in my experience.

 

[Member 90125]

Thanks for your input, Steven- I appreciate it. I'm actually looking at the Polk R500's- or possibly the KEF Q550's...would like to stick to a floorstander but can't get crazy with cost. With a factory refurbish I could get a set at or below $1K (the R500's & Q550's are 8ohm/87db- and that's 60wpc with the TA-1)

 

[Steven Holt]

Thanks for your input, Steven- I appreciate it. I'm actually looking at the Polk R500's- or possibly the KEF Q550's...would like to stick to a floorstander but can't get crazy with cost. With a factory refurbish I could get a set at or below $1K (the R500's & Q550's are 8ohm/87db- and that's 60wpc with the TA-1)

Thank you, and welcome to ASR! You are going to learn quite a lot here. Floorstanders are the way to go provided that you have the room for them (and you've picked some good ones!) Reading you post again, I see that you have a subwoofer. I don't blame you for using it -- after all, you have it and paid for it -- but given your speakers, is it necessary, that is, can you hear the benefit? Conventional wisdom says that you don't need a sub if you use quality floorstanders. What say you?

 

[Member 90125]

I'm definitely learning a lot here at ASR- have been lurking for quite a while! While the T-Zero's have amazing clarity that I enjoy- the lower mids and bass always seemed a bit thin to my ears- definitely lacking any punch or significant low end. I think those speakers would be much better suited to a smaller environment. My main listening position is about 8 feet from the speakers. I have an unusual room formation- my listening area is in a front room of a home built in the 1920's- it's about 12' x 16'- but almost fully open to the 'dining room' area which is of similar size. Adding the sub made a huge difference to the depth and quality of lower register sound for me. It was really a game changer for the better. I believe that upgrading to the R500 (or possibly R600) or Q550 will help fill out the sound in what is a fairly large space. Unfortunately, as a music/audio fan, it always seems like I'm chasing that 'golden setup' that will be my 'be all- end all'. I love what I have- but am really excited to upgrade to fill that large space more effectively. I'm not in a rush- but want to be sure I'm very careful to spend the limited budget I have for audio very judiciously. I use a Wiim Pro Plus into my TA-1 and stream from Tidal- or watch TV and music from YouTube, etc. I love the Wiim Pro Plus- and can really tell the improvement from that basic room correction it provides. I recently got the RSL 10e to replace an Emotiva 8" sub that was significantly less musical to my ears- loving it.

 

[Steven Holt]

Adding the sub made a huge difference to the depth and quality of lower register sound for me.

Thanks, that's exactly what I needed to know!