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In Reply to: RE: Bi-Wire Made a considerable improvement posted by jllaudio on February 20, 2012 at 11:35:03
The articles I've read about it showed substantial frequency response differences at the crossover point. So I don't for a moment doubt that the difference is major. I suspect it's a lot easier to hear than many other tweaks that are recommended here. Whether it's an improvement or not in any poster's system would depend I think on the speakers and the room.
Also, wasn't Jim Winey enthusiastic about bi-wiring way back when? This from something I read years ago, an interview, I think.
Follow Ups:
"Also, wasn't Jim Winey enthusiastic about bi-wiring way back when? This from something I read years ago, an interview, I think."Confirmed. I remember reading a review where it was either Jim or Wendell (can't remember which) that did the initial set up for the reviewer and said they used bi-wire pretty much by default. They declined to speculate on the reason why but said it was for the best.
Edits: 02/20/12
Have to ask Wendell whether they still recommend it . . .
Not that it matters a whole lot, there exists details about biamping but not a single reference (that I could find) about bi-wiring in my Tympani-IVa Instruction Manual.
I don't think bi-wiring was around back then. It got popular a few years later, or at least that's the impression I have (I don't have a specific date, just a vague recollection).
...had his 3.6s set up that way, so I ordered my AQ cables in a bi-wire configuration. I started that way - a pair of spades on the amp end and two sets of bananas on the other, with each set having wire of a different geometry. It did eliminate a set of jumpers. When I ordered my 3.7s, the cables had to change - a change which occurred prior to my receipt of the 3.7s. There was a surprisingly discernible difference (that it was discernible was a surprise ;-), with my preference being for what had been familiar (but was 'familiarity' the actual cause of that preference?).The 3.7s don't support bi-wiring, but it doesn't matter - I'd bet that the reduction in complexity more than offsets that loss. Mine are actually a wee bit simpler than stock, with the 'final adjustment' yet to be ordered (don't know why I'm procrastinating - just my nature).
I did do something crazy - my MMGs are bedroom speakers again. I thought of a way to make things fit - and it works. It had been a year since I did a thorough cleaning (meaning everything gets moved), so I figured I'd rearrange. It's a very nearfield arrangement, but they're a full 3' off the front wall - symmetry of reflection is not very good, but I don't think that's too big of a deal for such a nearfield setup. Sitting about 2' closer to the screen also made a profound improvement in legibility - damn aging (never needed glasses until a couple of years ago - and still don't need (a euphemism for 'wear') them).
Edits: 02/21/12 02/21/12
Bedroom MMG's. Or one, the aliens could only manage mono.
...I really meant it!
Bet you don't need subs with that!
One of my REL Q150s is dead - plate amp (not a fuse). It had been almost 6 weeks since I'd used my hybrids - everything was in order then. The problem is that I built my frames to accept front-firing subs that are no more than 12" wide and 14" tall. Too much specificity sure does narrow one's choices. I can't tell you how many times I've painted myself into corners by going a bit too far with customization (you'd think I'd learn).
So far, I've only pulled the amp and broken it down - it's now in the queue for my time (I could be looking at it right now, eh?). I have to confess though - I'm slowing down. There was a time when I repaired crap like that for fun (funny, though, how widely the meme 'he can fix your broken xxx' spreads beyond one's immediate friends and relatives). Hell, 20 of my working years were packed with 80 hour weeks (and I suspect there's nothing unique about that) - the point is that I stepped off that merry-go-round. Now, I'd rather reach to my hip pocket than give up chunks of time - we forfeit our time (bust our asses) to build a cache from which to withdraw time (sit on our asses). Listening to music, however, isn't always about sitting on one's ass.
Of course, the problem is as it has always been - so many things to do. Every spring is deep cleaning time - the process is in full swing. My new configuration is a bonus. I had thought about it a few times, but as I started moving the furniture, a workable arrangement flashed in my head - mind you, it would only be workable for someone deserving the 'inmate' epithet.
Anyway, to get back to the issue - I'm down a sub, so I guess there's technically no winner in your little wager. On the other hand, you only said 'need' - I feel a strong need, so pay up!
The new countertops will be ready next week. I have work to do in the kitchen - so do you.
I finished the cleaning in the kitchen, thank God. Now all I have to do is put down some dropcloths and give it a couple of coats of paint. Then a single coat on two halls and two rooms and I am DONE. And can finally set up my speakers (I was about to say "again," but for the Tympanis, it will be a first). Not to mention move back into the bedroom, put together my HTPC which has been sitting in parts in the closet unbuilt for a year (of course if I were to buy all that stuff now it would be twice as fast and half the price).
I remember my MMG's as having pretty great bass when I got within about five feet of them and got the proximity boost. Don't know how deep it actually goes.
Know what you mean about slowing down. Even a couple of years ago, I could do physical work without a break, e.g., start in the morning and work until it was time to go to sleep, with a couple of brief breaks to wolf down some food. Now I get too tired.
It never really gets here. It's like painting the Golden Gate Bridge. By the time you finish, it's time to start all over again. A house is a constant populator of one's 'to do' list - I swear; there's always something. Still, every time I check something off the list, it feels great. Next week is going to be a pain in the ass, but I'm really looking forward to Friday.
Setting up the systems is the fun part. Well, that and then actually getting to listen to them (er, music through them).
For now, anyway, I rather like the slower pace.
This place is pretty much proceeding in quarters because it had been divided up into four apartments. Upstairs will be done once I finish painting, all it's missing at this point is the interior windows. Downstairs, the front hall is done, the living room is almost done, it's been rewired, plastered, and painted and the contractor is rebuilding the fireplace now. But I'm not going to be doing much of that, I did some of the wiring, skim coating, and painting upstairs, but I'm home renovated out! Time to focus on important things like playing with my speakers while the construction guys focus on the frivolous stuff, like floors and walls . . .
Plus he must be getting a great center image. I would bet the center solidity and forwardness is beating what the 3.7s are currently doing.
BTW, Waz, those are you version of the Mini-Maggies, like Macro-minis?
I'm planning to use my Tympanis as Mini-Maggies. :-) Only I'll be moving the desk into the room with the speakers, rather than the other way around. I'm actually curious to see if I can get some crosstalk cancellation when I'm using the monitor, the way I do with my Monsoons, which I found work best about a foot behind the monitor and right at the sides, as seen from my listening seat. It took me a while to realize that the monitor was acting as an ambiophonic barrier of sorts by preventing the direct sound from the left speaker from getting to my right ear, and vice-versa.
It's different, to be sure. It's not bad, though. In fact, it sounds quite good - digging 'The Goat Rodeo Sessions' right now.
macro-mini - I like the impossibility of the name ;-)
Josh, you got the wrong pix. This is Dawnrazor in his spare room, taken from in front of the other Maggie. His wife booted him out of their larger master bedroom because of his snoring, I think.
Waz has more taste than this. I'd expect to see at least a waterbed in there : - ))
One thing's for sure; that's way too formal for me.
D and I got the boot for the same reason - snoring. I had to leave the waterbed behind, but I don't care. I like the Tempur-Pedic better (although the most recent mattress I bought for the waterbed is quite comfy).
Couldn't be Dawnrazor. His monolith has a subwoofer!
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