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Hi, this is my first post to this board. I have been hanging around and reading the posts and FAQ. I design and build my own speakers and typically hangout at Madisounds board. This question would seem to best be posted here.Question: Will passive bi-amping in stereo mode provide any sonic benefit? Has anyone performed such a bi-amp?
Given:
5 Channel full-bandwidth receiver (such as Onkyo, Sony DB,ES )
Bi-wireable speakers(2-ways, 6.5 bassmid, dome tweeter, 2.2K LRxover)
Active sub crossed @ 60Hz
Use analog outputs of CD player to Y splitter cables
Y spliter to 5.1 inputs, uses only main and surround, per channel
surround output goes to tweeter xover, main goes to bassmid
Use 5.1 input mode on receiver for stereo listeningIn the Bi-amping FAQ it mentions that Passive Bi-amping may or may not provide any benefit. Would this be a good test case prior to buying additional amps? or since the main issue in receivers is the one power supply, not a valid test?
I would appreciate any comments on the above config. will work, will not work. Such that I will perform the test, once my new speakers are completed. (winter 2000-2001) Thanks in advance.
Follow Ups:
I have fooled around a bit with bi-amping, passive and active. My experience was that active bi-amping made a HUGE difference, whereas passive bi-amping was more along the lines of a small increase in upper bass and the "punchiness" of the woofer. If it is possible for you, I would try active bi-amping.
Unfortunetly, I am one of those people who has to have a combined HT and audio system. I am looking for a way to squeeze some additional performance out of 2 channel stereo, while maintaining the ability to switch back to HT mode. With the above set-up I would need only the addition of some speaker switch boxes. Higher powered and higher quality outboard amps connected to the pre-outs, are in the long term plans.
PS: That doesn't mean I can't try it! I have seen some DIY kits and I have most of the parts on-hand. Once the speakers are done and I have some time to work on it.
I'm in the same boat. My bi-amping experience was temporary, as I have a home theater running off of the same reciever. Though it was great for 2-channel listening (almost so good that I never went back to HT) it had to be switched back. One of those rainy weekend experiments.
do it, as long as the ratings for each channel are the same (IE the amplifier modules are the same). An active crossover would improve matters greatly, but isn't absolutely necessary, passive biamping makes as much of a difference as biwiring in the first place, maybe more. Plus it gives you a little freedom to equalize treble and bass.
Without getting into a big debate on biwiring, I would think that passive biamping would provide more benefits, such as:- Some additional headroom, such that the tweeter is more protected.
- Some additional output, not important to me.
- Damping factor applied to each circit seperatly?? Do not know if this is any advantage or not.
- Lower resistance and issolation of each circuit. (same as biwiring)
- Others?
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