I have a set of RB42’s running off a Topping MX3 connected optical to an android tv box at work. The office is 20x20 and this setup rocks the whole room…
I have another set of RB42’s and a Sprout100 on the way for my other location.
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I got some RB42s and a SMSL sa98e amp, but the amp was dysfunctional out of the box. It was a good price and looked to have plenty of power for these speakers. Any other options like it or should I just try another one?
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I highly suggest the topping pa3, also very cheap (30 bucks cheaper I believe) with very clean good sound. It’s less watts tho, don’t know if that would be a problem. But it’s 80 which I’ve been told is good enough to power it sound quality wise
I use pa 3 less power but should be cleaner
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A great amp that has the same power as the Sprout-100 that is less expensive ($199.99) that is 50 WPC @ 8Ω, 100 @ 4Ω is the Fosi HD-A1. It is class A/B which the spout is class D. About the same size and has great sound. I am running JBL 530’s with it, powers them with no sweat. Should power the RB42 perfectly.
The rb 42’s are surprisingly power hungry personally don’t think 50 watts is enough
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My Yamaha R-S202 outputs at 100w and loud on the Micca RB42 is around 70 or so on the volume when watching a movie. That gives some headroom, but I can’t imagine 50w could possibly cut it for these.
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50 watts is enough for nearfield
It’s possible. I’m speaking from using it in a bedroom setup. They really are killer speakers.
Can anyone explain why they are listed as 4-8 ohm? how can this be?
A speaker doesn’t just run at a set ohm level. Depending on frequency they can drop or raise ohm. So the minimum ohm level for the rb42 is 4 and max is 8.
It might even swing lower than that (but I don’t have the measurements lol)
For nearfield, yes. But for a living room, I even have to use the 80wpc SMSL AD18 at pretty high volumes. Granted, we have high vaulted ceilings, but I still think something closer to the power of the SMSL AD18 is better. Plus all of the bluetooth and sub out and optical in features are nice for home theater.
The Origain which is 50wpc wasn’t enough.
Yeah the origain is not good tbh. The emotiva would power them better than the origain, as the origain is just bad for the price imo
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The FOSI HD-A1 for a desk is the same power as the emotiva, actually has more power at 4 ohms. and is way smaller. Just doesn’t have the headphone out (Not the best to begin with). Most of the small cheap class D and T amps are rated at 4 ohm. and are over-rated. They give you a rating that is unable to reach without tons of distortion. The Fosi HD-A1 is rated at 50 watts at 8 ohm with 0.02% THD, and 100 watts at 4 OHM. And it is class A/B which I prefer. For $200 its a great amp. (Also uses a-lot of Japanese components.)
the pa3 is working great and does actually have more than enough power for sitting here at my desk
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Thanks for the response. (For my very later reply) My plan was to use the RB42 (or Q150) at a desk and move the same pair to a living room later. After a few weeks with them and testing them both in the living room too the Q150 certainly has the imaging and sound stage edge but I think for that size or larger I just need more space (like physically around the TV and desk). I also played with the placement of the RB42 got them elevated on stands to be closer to ear level and further apart and the comparison is much closer. The Q150s probably still edge it out but the value for the RB42 is definitely there and the gap is close enough that I’ll stick with them and save the space and money for now.
Anyone notice excessive port chuffing when playing these fairly loud? My pair was so bad, I had to send them back.
Only if I am blowing them out. They should be fine. I mean, how loud are you playing them? Mine don’t do that unless I put way too much bass on them at ear splitting volumes, which shouldn’t be done anyways lol.
I have them connected to a Emotiva BasX A-100 and it only does it on a handful of bassy tracks. I am playing them loud in a living room, but not ear splitting. Thanks for your response.