Is this necessary?

[turbokuo]

Ok, don't know what it's called but at 2 different B&W dealers, I saw that the speaker wires that they were using split into 4 connectors which went into all four speaker plugs.

1) What is this type of wiring called and is it that much better than my regular speaker cables with banana plugs? (dealer was selling these wires for ~$130 a pair)

2) Where do I get cheeper alternatives to these type of wires?

[js24]

turbo,
it seems like you are talking about "bi-wiring"
B&W actually recommends using this type of connection for better performance
check out their FAQ- they have a little section about it

you can use two sets of wires to do the same thing (they are using 'shot-gun' (i think it's also called "internally biwired") cables.)
check out audioadvisor.com or signalcable.com for some good quality wires
I too biwire my 703s
good luck

[thyname]

Hey Turbo; I am confused too, as I don't know whether I should be-wire my speakers, read below taken from CobaltCables.com:


Confused About Bi-Wiring? Here is the Cobalt Cable Bottom Line:
Bi-Wiring is a technique becoming quite popular in speaker applications. However, in our opinion, there are only a few situations where bi-wiring makes sense and MANY situations where bi-wiring is just hype. Here is what we think the complete story is about bi-wiring, and why it really does not make any sense for most people's equipment. The simple explanation for why the advantages of bi-wiring are very slight or nonexistent is that most people only have speakers built for bi-wiring, while their amplification is not. By using the same amplifier channel for both sets of bi-wire cables (both sets are connected to the same binding posts on the amplifier or receiver), the same electrical path is being used for both sets of terminals on each speaker, thus negating the core advantages of bi-wiring

For example, most bi-wireable (we invented a new word) speakers come with some sort of plate or bar that connects the two (+) and the two (-) terminals (one for high frequency and one for low frequency) to each other. By using these plates or bars, you are "bridging" the two sets of terminals together creating only one connection point, so that you only need to make one speaker connection to each speaker.

By using the same amplifier channel (and terminals) for each set of bi-wire terminals on your speakers, you would be bridging the two sets of terminals together with your amplifier (since they share the same connection point on the amplifier). From an electrical perspective, this is NO different than running one speaker cable to the speaker, and bridging the two sets of terminals together with the bar or plate.

But wait, there's more! If you act now... (just kidding)

The only advantage in most setups (only speakers built for bi-wiring) for bi-wiring would be using twice as much physical wire (two separate runs to each speaker, thus dropping three gauge) as a standard wiring configuration.

However, if you are already using a fairly low gauge speaker cable (like our 10 AWG Ultimate Speaker Cable), there is little to be gained by "doubling-up". Plus, the added expense of running twice as much speaker cable for a barely audible (at best) difference, probably does not make too much sense.

The funny thing is, bi-wiring is actually a sound theory (pun intended, HA!), but the advantages can really only be had when it is used in conjunction with bi-amping (running more than one amplifier channel per speaker). In order to bi-amp the "right way", an external crossover between the preamplifier and each amplifier channel will be needed (so that only the high-frequency or the low-frequency parts of the signal will be amplified), and the internal crossovers inside the speakers will need to be disconnected (so that each amplifier will go directly to the corresponding speaker driver, i.e. the woofer for low frequency and the tweeter for high-frequency). WHEW! We personally don't know of too many people who will go to these extremes to take advantage of the benefits of bi-wiring, so bi-wiring just ends up getting WAY more attention than it should. We think that you should know what some of these other companies are up to out there.

If you are still looking to bi-wire or bi-amp, we recommend using two (2) of our Ultimate Speaker Cables per bi-wired/bi-amped loudspeaker. Questions? Please contact us.

[captzerg]

My Sig805's are bi-wired. The speaker cable breaks out into four connectors at the speaker. (Sorry if I don't have the words right, I'm new at this). The way it was logically explained to me is the more things you add (like the plugs B&W supplies with the speakers) the more chance is given to add unknown factors to the mix. Why do it?

Perhaps others who are better versed at this can give a better explanation, but I can live with what I've heard. I've intending to take pictures of it and post.

[Phil Rose]

Bi-wiring, in my opinion, is a lot of hype but, I've got my speakers bi-wired just because I can.

[OmegaSpeed]

The problem with their theory, is peoples experience. I remember my first set of bi-wirable speakers, Mirage M3's purchased in 1991, and I only had one set of speaker cables, Cardas Quadlink, so I used some good low guage wire as jumpers. I later replaced these by using a second run of speaker wire, Audio Quest Midnight; I had the spades over lapped on the amp, the benefit of the cables over the jumpers was undeniable.

[turbokuo]

This is what I found on some other boards. B&W recommends bi-wiring on their website and their non techinal explaination is that it helps with speaker distoration when it occurs. The problem is that according to B&W their speakers have very, very low distortion %'s therefore my thought is that the marginal benefit is very little at best. But then again, if it doesn't hurt it, then maybe why not?

[KenK]

If you have the $$ then bi-wire, I don't think it matter as it is just another way to sell you more stuff.

[OmegaSpeed]

B&W recommends bi-wiring on their website and their non techinal explaination is that it helps with speaker distoration when it occurs. The problem is that according to B&W their speakers have very, very low distortion %'s therefore, the marginal benefit is very little at best.

Unless that low distortion percentage is achieved using bi-wire.