Bi-amp Center channel

[RobP]

Anyone here bi-amping their center channel? If so did you notice any difference? I have an extra channel on my center channel amp and have been thinking about giving it a try.

[dknightd]

give it a try. wire is cheap.

[UCLAman]

You didn't mention which one you have but if its two-way, the biwirig may not make an audible difference. If its 3-way, then definitely biwire it!

[ShadowZA]

I don't know whether or not you'll notice any difference, but here's a thought: For movies, a lot (often the largest portion, especially in dialogue scenes) of audio information is transmitted to the centre speaker. An advantage of bi-amping is that there should always be enough power in reserve to fully serve the needs of the low frequency portion of your centre speaker, whilst the high frequency portion is looked after separately. You have the spare channel so why not use it. :T

[Phil Rose]

I also had an extra channel so, I bi-amped my HTM1. Didn't notice any difference really, but as mentioned, wire is cheap and it works, so why not.

[RobP]

Its a Nautilus HTM1 that I am using, I think I may try it this weekend, time permitting.

[kurtholz]

i bi-amped my 802d's, and noticed a huge difference, i wish i had just one more channel to do my htm1 also

actually, i need 2 channel's, as i am using one channel for both rear center's

so many problems, hahahaha

Kurt

[RobP]

Those are good problems to have Kurt! :lol:

[JKalman]

Anyone here bi-amping their center channel? If so did you notice any difference? I have an extra channel on my center channel amp and have been thinking about giving it a try.

Bi-amping didn't make a positive difference for me with my 802Ds, it actually made them sound worse. I think the Y-cable added another link to the chain, degrading the signal. Besides that small negative difference in clarity, there were no positive side effects, they played the same as always. Then again, my amp has more than enough power to feed the 802D a decent amount past the loudness level I listen to music at... 80-95 dB.

[htsteve]

Yes

Soundgravy,

I would recommend bi-amping the HTM1. I just bi-amped my HTM1 (with a Rotel 1077). I was impressed at how pretty much all aspects of the speaker improved. See my post in club Rotel on the 1077. I talk about the HTM1 in it. As was already suggested, it shouldn't cost much to try it out.

Let us know how it goes.

[RobP]

Thanks for all of the input guys, seems as if we have a mixed bag of results, as soon as I get the hookup completed and have a listen, Ill post how it turned out.

[JKalman]

I thought you might be interested in this, Biamping: Pleasure or Pain?.

Since the HTM1D is a passive crossover you would only be adding 3 dB to your total volume level, i.e. doubling the Watts by adding another amplifier, assuming it is the same amplifier. I'm not sure if it is worth what you are going to spend for 3 dB, but if it is, go for it. :W

[PavelL]

some basics from B&W on biamping and biwiring

http://www.bwspeakers.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/local.faq/ObjectID/F5CA2E9F-3D20-11D4-A67F00D0B7473B37

[JKalman]

Actually, I'm not 100% correct, since the bass units take more power than the midrange and tweeters, you won't even get 3 dB since the bass was taking a larger proportion of the original power than the other two to begin with using one amplifier. So adding the second amplifier means you gain only as much extra power proportional to what the bass unit wasn't using on the first amplifier to begin with when the volume reached clipping levels. You will clip at less than 3 dB extra because the bass was already using up a larger amount of the power, while the midrange and tweeter will have plenty of extra headroom through the second amplifier because of the smaller amount of power they use up proportionally to the bass.