XPA-3 Gen3 | Three Channel Power Amplifier

Before you blame your speakers, make sure your amp is not the one waving the white flag.

The XPA-3 Gen3 is a 3 channel audiophile home theater power amplifier built on our XPA Gen3 modular platform, made to bring clarity, impact, and control to the three most important speakers in your room: left, center, and right. Connect it to an AV processor, preamp, or an AV receiver with preamp outputs (RCA jacks usually labeled “PRE OUT”), and you can upgrade your front stage without replacing your whole system.

XPA Gen3 pairs an audiophile Class A/B output stage for clean detail with a regulated switch-mode power supply rated over 3 kW to stay steady when the soundtrack hits hard. Soft-Switch Optimized Class H operation helps it run efficiently while staying composed through dynamic peaks. Start with three channels today, then expand or reconfigure later as your setup grows. Modules are installed by Emotiva (free with the purchase of new modules) or an authorized service center. It is designed, assembled, and tested in the USA.

Common uses

•Power the front three channels of a 5.1 or 7.1 system with more clarity and control

•Upgrade an AVR’s front stage for cleaner dialogue, stronger dynamics, and a more believable soundstage

• Start with LCR now, then expand later as you build toward Dolby Atmos or DTS:X

Want a second set of eyes on your system plan? Contact us. Real humans, real answers, straight from the folks behind the gear.

Circuit Topology

The XPA-3 Gen3 is a fully modular audio power amplifier with a high-efficiency switch mode power supply (SMPS), independent, fully discrete, dual differential, high current, short signal path Class A/B amplifier modules, Optimized Class H™ power supply topology, and microprocessor-controlled fault protection.

The XPA-3 is powered by a high efficiency, audiophile grade, Switch Mode Power Supply (SMPS).

Audio Specifications

The XPA-3 Gen3 features three of our High-Powered Single Channel Modules.  

Audio Specifications (Three High-Powered Single Channel Modules):

Power Output:

• 300 watts RMS/channel; 20 Hz – 20 kHz; THD<0.1%; 8 Ohms; one channel driven

• 550 watts RMS/channel; 20 Hz – 20 kHz; THD<0.2%; 4 Ohms; one channel driven

• 300 watts RMS/channel; THD<0.1%; 8 Ohms; two channels driven

• 490 watts RMS/channel; THD<0.1%; 4 Ohms; two channels driven

• 275 watts RMS/channel; THD<0.1%; 8 Ohms; ALL THREE channels driven

Power Bandwidth (at rated power; 4 Ohm - 8 Ohm load): 20 Hz to 20 kHz (+ / – 0.1 dB)

Broad Band Frequency Response: 5 Hz to 80 kHz +0/-2 dB

THD + noise: < 0.005%; at 100 watts RMS; 1 kHz; 8 Ohms

Signal to Noise Ratio (8 Ohm load):

• > 117 dB; ref FTC rated power; unbalanced input (A-weighted)

• > 91 dB; ref 1 watt; unbalanced input (A-weighted)

Minimum Recommended Load Impedance (per channel): 4 Ohms (one 4 Ohm load or two paralleled 8 Ohm loads).

Damping Factor (8 Ohm load): > 500

Input Sensitivity (for rated power; 8 Ohm load): 1.71 V

Gain: 29 dB

Maximum Power Consumption: 1,400 watts.

Note: The values shown refer to the amount of power the amplifier would consume while playing test tones continuously, on all channels, at full power, into a load bank. Therefore, they are not at all characteristic of what you would expect when playing music or the soundtrack from a movie. Normal audio signals are dynamic, so the amount of power they require from second to second varies widely, and the average is far lower than this. With normal content, even playing very loudly, one of our amplifiers will consume far less power than indicated in the chart, so these values should not be considered a circuit requirement for normal operation. 

Input Impedance:

• 33 kOhms (balanced)

• 23.5 kOhms (unbalanced)

Input And Output Connections

Input Connections (High-Powered Single Channel Modules): Unbalanced (RCA); balanced (XLR); one each per channel, independently selectable.

Input Connections (Stereo Modules):
2 Unbalanced (RCA); 2 balanced (XLR); two per channel, independently selectable.

Speaker Output Connections: Audiophile grade, gold plated, 5-way binding posts.

Trigger:

• Trigger Input: 5 – 12 V (AC or DC); <10 mA input current required.

• Trigger Output: 12 VDC; can drive any load up to 120 mA.

Power Requirements

Between 100 VAC and 250 VAC @ 50 / 60 Hz (automatically detected).

Front Panel Controls and Indicators

• Standby: push button (halo ring changes color to indicate Standby or On).

• Status LEDs: one per channel; blue

• Status LEDs change to red to indicate a fault condition

Rear Panel Controls

• AC Power switch: rocker switch (switches AC main power)

• Status LEDs switch: disables front panel Status LEDs and dims Standby button halo.

• Input selector switches (one per channel): metal toggle switches; select between balanced and unbalanced inputs.

• Circuit Breaker: press button to reset circuit breaker.

Protection

The XPA Gen3 is protected against excessive operating temperature, shorted speaker connections, ground faults, and other common fault conditions.

Mechanical

Dimensions:

• 17” wide x 8” high x 19” deep (unboxed; including feet)

• 17” wide x 7” high x 19” deep (unboxed; without feet)

• 24-1/2” wide x 12” high x 24-3/4” deep (boxed)

Weight:

• 39 lbs (unboxed)

• 44 lbs (boxed)

Downloads

Download Product Manual