Bi-amping

[knguyen429]

A question for you receiver gurus. I'm building the Statement series fronts and center channel speakers. They're going to be mated to an Onkyo TX-NR807, capable of bi-amping the fronts. I can see a benefit using seperate amps to get more power, but would my receiver split the power normally sent to the fronts to bi-amp or would it double the output power? What are the benefits of bi-amping?

Thanks,
Kenneth

[Kal Rubinson]

You never get doubling. First limitation is the PS of the AVR which is apportioned to all the channels in use. Second limitation is that the power demands of the woofer / tweeter are defined by the woofer with normal music content so the result is always less than twice the power.

Twice the power, btw, is only 3dB, anyway.

[JustinGN]

Usually on bi-amp capable receivers, you sacrifice the two channels used in a 7.1 setup and instead use them to bi-amp your front speakers (Limiting you to 5.1). So yes, you would (in theory) get double the power to the speakers. (EDIT: Kal beat me to the punch and with a lot more technical detail than I could provide. I say defer to him on this one.)

As for the results of bi-amping, I was so satisfied with the results of it in my B&W 684s that I bought some nice, broadcast-quality speaker wire to replace the testing setup I used beforehand. The speakers suddenly had plenty of room to breathe, and sounded a lot clearer and well-rounded than powering off a single channel.

For Bookshelf speakers, I would probably suggest sticking with a single or bi-wire setup from one amp channel, but for Floor Standers, Bi-Amping is definitely worth looking into, as it could provide a very inexpensive upgrade path if successful, but you won't be out tons of cash if it doesn't work out for you.

[knguyen429]

Thanks Kal & Justin,

I knew that it wouldn't quite double the power, what I really wanted to know was if there'd be any audible difference in bi-amping. I've never bi-amped speakers before. This setup will be strictly a 5.1 setup. I was reading through the receiver manual, while waiting for the paint to dry on the speakers, and ran into the bi-amping section and it just had me wondering. Adding another set of terminals on the speakers wouldn't be too hard and if I don't like the results, could always go back to a single wire setup. I just thought I'd get some input before going that route.

Kenneth

[Kal Rubinson]

If you do need more power, biamping will make barely an incremental difference. You would need to buy a better amp for a real solution.

Unless you feel there is some lack of power in the setup, why bother?

[JustinGN]

In my personal experience, bi-amping my B&W 684s made an impressive audible difference. That said, there are just as many detractors as there are supporters of bi-amping, and it all ultimately boils down to if you can hear a difference or not. However, just be aware that bi-amp capable speakers also need jumpers if you're single-wiring, so that both terminals are fed a signal. But that's an entirely other can of worms

[wettou]

If you do need more power, biamping will make barely an incremental difference. You would need to buy a better amp for a real solution. Unless you feel there is some lack of power in the setup, why bother?

Funny B&W swears by Bi-amping of it's so good!! How about bridging channels?

[Kal Rubinson]

Funny B&W swears by Bi-amping of it's so good!!

I am not so sure they do although I acknowledge it is printed in their booklets. :W

How about bridging channels?

That is an effective way to output more power (at the price of some other parameters). OTOH, while this is done and recommended with some power amps, I am not so sure I would attempt this with a mch AVR unless the manufacturer sanctioned it.

[JustinGN]

That is an effective way to output more power (at the price of some other parameters). OTOH, while this is done and recommended with some power amps, I am not so sure I would attempt this with a mch AVR unless the manufacturer sanctioned it.

I can count on one hand the number of AVRs I've seen that support bridging channels, though *all* of them sternly advise against it due to heat and power issues. If you're going to bridge power, buy a stand-alone amplifier that supports it.

[wettou]

I might have to invest in the new Delta CT-600

[whoaru99]

However, just be aware that bi-amp capable speakers also need jumpers if you're single-wiring, so that both terminals are fed a signal. But that's an entirely other can of worms

Right, but all the biwire/biamp capable home speakers I've seen come with jumpers. Usually the bigger concern is making sure they're removed...especially prior to biamping. :E

[jyj]

I have a RMB 1077, where Rotel claims all channels 7 x 100. I use a 5.1 system, so I use the spare channels to bi-amp my 802Ds. I listen to primarily music with the analogue by-pass mode on the RSP 1069 and I have to say it sounds quite remarkable, IMHO. Let your ears be your best judge.

[ClosetSciFiGeek]

Bi-amping is over-rated. Lot of cost with little gain. If you decide you want more power put two of the preamp outs to use on your 807(nice receiver, btw lots of bells and whistles)and buy an Emotiva UPA-2 or XPA-2 or two UPA-1's or ultimately two XPA-1's to feed those Statements. Even the UPA-2 will do an admirable job and your 807 will be more powerful into all other driven channels if you set it up this way.

[looneybomber]

In theory, bi-amping should help, but in my experience, I can't tell a difference, so I'm assuming some of it may be reciever dependent.

I bi-amped one of my Beta-50's (the right channel) and the other just single wired (left channel) and listened to them with various songs at various levels and if I had to guess which one was bi-amped, I would have been better off just flipping a coin.