Bi-wiring: no.
Bi-amp: depends on the speaker. Generally I’m not interested in bi-amped speakers mainly because of the increased cost and complexity.
Bi-wiring and Bi-amping for Dummies (Well, One dummy amyways)
Thanks to fellow list member here I’ve learned recently some about my new equipment. Now about hooking it all up.....
Most of the new gear is pretty simple but there’s a couple of new twists I have no experience with. Bi-wiring and bi-amping.
Bi-wiring. I purchased a pair of Cambridge Audio Edge M monoblocks and a pair of
KEF R11 Meta speakers. The speakers will take normal wiring or bi-wiring I now understand. I was lucky enough to contact Morrow Audio before they shipped out my new SP6 speaker cables and have the speaker ends changed to bi-wiring.
The amplifier cable ends will have the normal two connectors while the speaker ends will now have 4. Pretty straightforward or am I missing something?
Bi-amping. Well, this will take another pair of monoblocks. That’s not in this year’s budget but maybe next year if it offers that much improvement. Does it add much improvement? Even when using monoblocks? Will it make the cables I just ordered obsolete? Will I need additional cables? Anything else I need to know?
I’m sure bi-wiring and bi-amping are covered in the forums elsewhere but I’m trying to be specific for the brands of equipment I purchased.
Your polite comments and opinions are valued, thank you.
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- 47 posts total
@toddsyr Apologies for my late reply but jumpers normally replace the pressed steel or alloy jumpers which come with new speakers to enable you to single wire out of the box. Replacing the jumpers with quality usually provides a significant upgrade in sound. The only use for bi-wiring is to replace the jumpers, otherwise bi-wiring has zero benefit, because a shotgun cable is the same wire and amps with double binding posts are joined inside. I am speaking to you from personal experience. Consider decent power cables and ICs and give your system time to burn in. Speaker placement in very important too. Happy Listening . |
@lordmelton All good advice, thanks. As noted though, the KEF R11 Meta speakers have internal jumpers that are activated by turning knobs near the binding posts. @dekay You're welcome. Images of the backside are hard to find. Even the website iI bought them from doesn't show it. That's why it was a surprise when I learned of the knobs. |
I’ve tried bi-wiring a couple of times over the years and it did absolutely nothing for the sound...bi amping does but adds another amp to the mix and adjustability is the only benefit which well designed speakers likely don’t need. I suggest trying these things for yourself if curious. I actually do bi-amp in a way as I use a couple of good subs (RELs with the high level inputs) to get control over deep bass with what I feel is the proper use of the mains being free to do their full range, such as it is. |
- 47 posts total