Think your system sounds good but not quite great?

You’re not alone. Even experienced listeners run into a few common pitfalls that can hold a setup back. The good news? Most are easy to fix with the right gear, smart placement, and a few helpful tools.

Here are five common mistakes and how to solve them with trusted Emotiva gear.

EXTRA PRO-TIP: Until 7/31/25 save 20% on nearly everything with code SUMMERSOUND20

1. Mistake: Running Out of Power

Why It Matters:

Underpowered amps can leave your speakers sounding flat, compressed, or lifeless. Without enough headroom, dynamics suffer and distortion creeps in.

Try This:

XPA Gen3 Modular Amplifiers
Fully customizable and modular — allows for future expansion
High-current, Class A/B output stage
Compact chassis option (15" wide) now available

Why It Works:

XPA Gen3 amps provide clean, consistent power to handle speaker demands without strain. Perfect for both stereo and home theater builds that need muscle and flexibility.

2. Mistake: Ignoring Room Correction and System Integration

Why It Matters:

Even great speakers can sound off in a poorly calibrated room. Reflections, standing waves, and uneven bass response can sabotage your listening experience.

Try This:

BasX MR1L 9.2 Channel Receiver
EmoQ™ automatic room correction with mic
Dolby Atmos & DTS:X support, 4K HDR passthrough
9 channels of Class A/B amplification, plus 13.2 preouts

Why It Works:

EmoQ measures your space and tailors the EQ to match. Advanced users can manually fine-tune using 11-band parametric EQ across all channels.

3. Mistake: Poor Speaker Matching or Placement

Why It Matters:

Mismatched or poorly placed speakers ruin imaging, disrupt tonal balance, and can even cause phase cancellation. Especially critical in surround setups.

Try This:

Airmotiv X Loudspeakers
Rotatable folded ribbon tweeters
Designed for seamless timbre matching
Options for every room and role — towers, bookshelves, centers, and surrounds

Why It Works:

Great sound is about more than drivers. With advanced acoustic engineering, flexible placement options, and a unified sound signature, the Airmotiv X line takes the guesswork out of building your system.

4. Mistake: Forgetting the Accessories

Why It Matters:

Cables, power filters, and mounting hardware can make or break your setup. Weak links compromise sound quality and reliability.

Try This:

Emotiva Accessories
High-quality interconnects and speaker cables
Surge protectors and power conditioners
Racking gear for better airflow and cable management

Why It Works:

Good accessories protect your investment and help your gear work at peak performance. We build them to the same high standards as our amps and processors.

5. Mistake: Not Asking for Help

Why It Matters:

Audio is personal and sometimes complex. A little expert help goes a long way toward getting the best results.

Try This:

Email us: sales@emotiva.com
Call: (615) 790-6754
Use the Help Me Choose tool
Visit our YouTube channel or browse the Emotiva blog

Why It Works:

We’re real people — many of us are engineers, creators, and audio lovers just like you. You may even end up speaking with the team that designed your gear.

Whether you're building your first setup or refining a system you've had for years, avoiding these common mistakes can make a real difference. Great sound isn't just about what you buy, it's how you use it. At Emotiva, we design gear that adapts to your space, your style, and your budget, with real support from people who actually use it. 

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