Emotiva Audio Launches Its New 16-Channel XMC-2 Processor

(August 21, 2019) First announced at CES 2019, Emotiva Audio says it’s all-new XMC-2 AV Processor is officially shipping.

Competitively priced at $2,999, the XMC-2 is designed to deliver performance factors found on the flagship’s RMC-1 processor for nearly $2,000 less. And while the new younger brother carries a lighter price tag, Emotiva says its tech is extremely competent.

“If the RMC-1 was our most anticipated product in recent years, the XMC-2 was right behind it,” says Dan Laufman, President and CEO, Emotiva Audio Corp. “Out of the gate, it’s the one that longtime customers have been drooling over, especially after word got out that performance is very similar to that of our flagship RMC-1."

The XMC-2 delivers audio and video performance factors that surpass that of equally-priced competition, built around Emotiva’s in-house Linux-based operating system. Onboard audio tech includes support for current Dolby Atmos (9.1.6) and DTS:X (7.1.4) immersive sound formats, Dolby and DTS upmixing solutions, and popular lossless legacy codecs, high-grade analog-to-digital conversion using AKM AK4490 DACs deployed in fully balanced Mono mode for the front left, center, and right channels, and audio decoding using twin Analog Devices dual-core 450 MHz DSP engines. You’ll even find a digital AM/FM tuner for some good old fashion fun.

Audio output is fine-tuned with bass management for up to three subwoofers, two sets of fully independent 11-band manual parametric speaker EQs, and global bass and treble controls with user selectable turnover points.

On the video front, the XMC-2’s video switching is handled by three quick-processing Panasonic MN864788 High Speed LSI 4K video switches, and the unit can passthrough video (along with an associated audio signal) when the processor is off. Also, the inclusion of 18 Gbps video bandwidth allows for support of 4K/60Hz video, along with support for HDR, HDR10, and Dolby Vision.

The arrival of the XMC-2 has axed plans for the company to offer XMC-1 owners a factory-installed upgrade kit. Instead, Emotiva has devised a new upgrade program, allowing XMC-1 owners to trade-in their discontinued model for an XMC-2. Trade-in costs for previously owned XMC-1 units vary based on several factors (read more here), but should cost between $600 and $1,000 plus shipping. The company is not currently accepting trade-in orders but says it should begin that process sometime in October of 2019.

For more information about the XMC-2, visit Emotiva on the web.

 

[Todd Anderson]

Big news... and good news for Emotiva, here. I wonder if we'll ever see this design paired with onboard amps? Last I heard, plans for that kind of model were shelved.

Anyhow... this cool. Still hoping to snag an RMC-1 for review... price at close to $5K, that's their granddaddy!

 

[Travis Ballstadt]

This will be a big one for them. By all accounts, it’s sounding great even before Dirac has been implemented. Because it’s using the same Firmware as the RMC-1 running on essentially the same hardware (minus expandability and a few niceties here and there), it has the benefit of the growing pains the RMC-1 has dealt with since its release. With the latest firmware both units seem to be pretty stable, responsive and sounding great. After delays on Dirac’s part due to some unforeseen difficulties, it seems that Emotiva is waiting for a final API before Dirac Live is implemented, and that won’t be long.

I’ll be exchanging my XMC-1 for this when that is available, and looking forward to it. I’ve really enjoyed the XMC-1 and the trade in is a very generous offer.

 

[Sonnie Parker]

Yep... that's really all it needs is the Dirac Live implementation.

 

[Travis Ballstadt]

Big news... and good news for Emotiva, here. I wonder if we'll ever see this design paired with onboard amps? Last I heard, plans for that kind of model were shelved.

Anyhow... this cool. Still hoping to snag an RMC-1 for review... price at close to $5K, that's their granddaddy!

every time they’ve released a processor with onboard amps in an AVR configuration, it’s basically flopped. They already have a niche market, and basically a small fraction of that existing customer base will buy the AVR for a second room system or for a family member, but they never break open a new market. The lions share of the AVR market would rather pick up something at Best Buy from a brand name they’ve heard of.

And the fact that they’ve released a few of them and discontinued shortly thereafter doesn’t bode well for the market with any passing knowledge of Emotiva.

I think this line of processors is about to make some real noise for Emotiva.

 

[Todd Anderson]

I don't disagree with that... however, there are only handful of AVRs on the market with 15-channels of processing, and this particular unit (if beefed up with onboard amps) would begin to compete against those.

You know, looking at the specs and price points for the XMC-2 and RMC-1, one thing I don't love is the complete lack of onboard streaming or built-in support for music services. I'm not so concerned about some kind of whole-home proprietary solution. BUT, at the minimum, I think it would be great for Emotiva to include something like Chromecast built-in for true Hi-Res streaming, so a customer could install the unit and still have the option to stream, say, TIDAL from their iPhone using Chromecast built-in.

All that said, what you're saying certainly holds true. This is a niche product for a rather niche market. The truth is, the percentage of enthusiasts running true in-ceiling Atmos/DTS:X arrangements is probably less than 10% of buyers. That number shrinks when considering more than 4 height channels... and then you boil that down to folks that can actually afford separates. It becomes a very thin population of buyers.

 

[Travis Ballstadt]

I guess I can see the point with 16-channels, but I still wouldn’t expect it. I think it would be better, more likely, and it’s proven very successful in the past, for Emo to offer a package discount with their amps.

The upcoming Monoprice unit (at $1000 more) doesn’t have anything like that either.

To me, onboard streaming solutions is a waste. I’ve had AVRs in the past that include them. My blu-Ray player has them. I still prefer to spend $100 and buy a separate box that includes the UX that I prefer.

When Netflix or Tidal update their apps, who do you think is going to be the priority? AppleTV, Roku, Sony or Emotiva?

 

[Todd Anderson]

Yeah, for sure, there are plenty of great outboard options. I guess I'm speaking from my experience with Denon/Marantz and SoundUnited's HEOS platform. It's integration and usability within their processors/AVRs is really really nice. But, when it comes to these higher end standalone options, it's not a deal breaker.

I'm just excited that larger multi-channel processors are being designed and supported. It's awesome. I'm running 7.2.6 (with a capability of up to 7.4.8) and the audio experience is sensational. With trends pointing toward simplification and gimmicks, it's great to know that companies are still pushing the envelope when it comes to large array speaker deployments.

 

[bkeeler10]

This is exciting. I have not kept close track of all the issues the RMC-1 has had since its release, but I know it's been difficult. Hopefully Emotiva and their customers have that mostly in the rear view mirror. This is the box I would get from Emotiva, and I'd probably run a 9.1.4 system with it. Perhaps it will be an upgrade in a year or two, when every last kink is out and Dirac is fully implemented (and, honestly, when I recover from the money spent on home theater the past year or so).

While it is surprising that there is no music streaming option on this (even NAD has a good streaming option on their AVRs and processors), I am not too bothered by it. Chances are very high that the customer who springs for this unit already has some other box that can do streaming. As long as the thing does what only it can do reliably and with excellent sound quality, I'm happy.

 

[Todd Anderson]

Budget is definitely paramount when considering a buy like this. $3k ain’t no chump change.

I’m hoping to wrangle up an interview to talk XMC-2. If you guys have any questions, please leave them here!

 

[Isaac Sykes]

I guess I can see the point with 16-channels, but I still wouldn’t expect it. I think it would be better, more likely, and it’s proven very successful in the past, for Emo to offer a package discount with their amps.

The upcoming Monoprice unit (at $1000 more) doesn’t have anything like that either.

To me, onboard streaming solutions is a waste. I’ve had AVRs in the past that include them. My blu-Ray player has them. I still prefer to spend $100 and buy a separate box that includes the UX that I prefer.

When Netflix or Tidal update their apps, who do you think is going to be the priority? AppleTV, Roku, Sony or Emotiva?

I can go either way, but I must say that I really miss having the ability to stream Tidal and Pandora from my Oppo 205...I mean I bought my Oppo 105 because it was IMO a great all in one solution, with great DAC's! And, if I'm really being honest about it, had the Oppo had few more HDMI inputs, I would have never purchased another PrePro. It just did everything.

 

[Isaac Sykes]

Yeah, for sure, there are plenty of great outboard options. I guess I'm speaking from my experience with Denon/Marantz and SoundUnited's HEOS platform. It's integration and usability within their processors/AVRs is really really nice. But, when it comes to these higher end standalone options, it's not a deal breaker.

I'm just excited that larger multi-channel processors are being designed and supported. It's awesome. I'm running 7.2.6 (with a capability of up to 7.4.8) and the audio experience is sensational. With trends pointing toward simplification and gimmicks, it's great to know that companies are still pushing the envelope when it comes to large array speaker deployments.

I agree with you, in that I would have liked to see a BluOs module or something for streaming. And while I know that this hobby inherently isn't an inexpensive one, at some point, the idea of spending anywhere between 3-6 thousand dollars on a processor only to realize that you're not done, can become a little draining. Add in multiple rooms, and the fact that we haven't included amplification, one might start to pull his hair out...lol!

 

[Todd Anderson]

I agree with you, in that I would have liked to see a BluOs module or something for streaming. And while I know that this hobby inherently isn't an inexpensive one, at some point, the idea of spending anywhere between 3-6 thousand dollars on a processor only to realize that you're not done, can become a little draining. Add in multiple rooms, and the fact that we haven't included amplification, one might start to pull his hair out...lol!

Isaac, this is definitely a niche product designed for a very small segment of buyers. I totally get what you're saying: it certainly seems cost prohibitive when considering all the products you need to surround it with.

That shouldn't deter from its cool factor. This is one wicked piece of gear. Yes, it's a little a-traditional when considering typically AV receivers and Processors that are for sale in the $1,500 - $2,500 range. BUT, it carries a little swagger on the design front that those all-in-one and streaming/processing amps don't carry. I think this is going to be really popular!

 

[Travis Ballstadt]

I can go either way, but I must say that I really miss having the ability to stream Tidal and Pandora from my Oppo 205...I mean I bought my Oppo 105 because it was IMO a great all in one solution, with great DAC's! And, if I'm really being honest about it, had the Oppo had few more HDMI inputs, I would have never purchased another PrePro. It just did everything.

I get that, but the Oppo is a SOURCE device, not a processor. Apples and oranges in my opinion.

That’s comparable to if Apple were to drop Netflix and Tidal from the AppleTV.

 

[1_sufferin_mind]

What fantastic news! My XMC-1 is still going strong, but who can resist the upgrade path at such an attractive price point? I’ve taken advantage of their trade-up program before to get from the UMC-200 to the XMC-1 and feel very fortunate to have saved so much money.

Does anyone know if DIrac Bass Management will be included along with Dirac Live?

 

[Todd Anderson]

I believe it's an add-on

 

[1_sufferin_mind]

Just like in the article you wrote: Dirac Live Bass Management Set to Make Its Official Debut at CEDIA 2019