Power amplifiers stereo — Emotiva BasX A6

The BasX A6 is a six-channel power amplifier from Emotiva, added to the second-generation BasX range after the A2, A3, A4 and A5 models of 2021. It was priced at USD 679 and was last sold at USD 559, and Emotiva now lists it as discontinued. Six channels cover a 5.1 system with an extra channel, or the surround and height speakers of a larger layout alongside an AV receiver.

Key specs that matter

With every channel driven, the A6 produces 90 W RMS per channel into 8 ohms across 20 Hz to 20 kHz at under 0.1% THD, and 125 W RMS per channel into 4 ohms at 1 kHz at under 1% THD. Driving only two channels raises output to 120 W into 8 ohms and 175 W into 4 ohms per channel. Frequency response runs from 10 Hz to 80 kHz at +0/-1.8 dB, and power bandwidth is ±0.02 dB. Input sensitivity is 1.2 V, gain is 29 dB and input impedance is 27 kohms. Noise sits more than 112 dB below rated output with A-weighting, distortion plus noise is under 0.02% and the damping factor tops 500 at 8 ohms. Each channel has one RCA input. The steel chassis measures about 432 x 102 x 394 mm without connectors and weighs about 16.3 kg.

Engineering and use context

Six Class A/B channels are powered by a linear supply with an oversized toroidal transformer, and the circuitry is built on double-sided FR4 boards. The front panel has a standby button, an amber standby LED and one blue LED per channel that turns red when that channel reports a fault. Protection responds to excessive heat, a short across the speaker terminals and ground faults. A 5 to 12 V trigger input and a 12 V trigger output let a processor switch the A6 on and off together with other equipment. Mains voltage is detected automatically between 115 and 230 V. Speaker wiring connects to 5-way binding posts, the front panel is milled aluminium, and optional rack ears allow installation in a standard equipment rack.

Pairing

The A6 suits a home cinema fed from AV receiver or processor pre-outs, where it can power surround, rear and height channels while the receiver or a separate amplifier drives the front speakers. The 4 ohm minimum load and the power reserve at that impedance fit typical surround and in-ceiling speakers. RCA inputs mean XLR-only processors need adapters. With this input sensitivity, standard processor pre-outs reach full output.

Alternatives

The Emotiva BasX A7 adds a seventh channel with the same per-channel power ratings.