2. cables
  3. 1205970758

Bi-wired vs Single Termination

Recently upgraded speakers to B&W 804s and want to upgrade speaker cables. B&W has ability to be bi-wired or to use their supplied jumper at the speaker terminals. What is the adjantage of a bi-wired cable vs a single termination and use of B&W jumpers. I am looking at a used set of Volcanos with single banana plugs vs a set of Mont Blanc with bi-wiring. I understand volcano is a "better" cable but all things being equal which configuation is "better". Speakers are not being bi-amped and at this time I do not intend to bi-amp them.
smerlas
rodman99999
5,976 posts
 
Dcstep- You're correct: the jumper is just a connection between the high and low frequency sections of the crossover. Here's a short treatise on the subject of bi-wiring(as well as active and vertical bi-amping): ( http://www.soundstage.com/synergize/synergize031998.htm)
smerlas OP
10 posts
 
Rodmann thanks for the link and to all for the opinions. I am going to try the biwire. Now I just have to find a used set. During the course of this thread the volcanos and mont blancs both sold.
rodman99999
5,976 posts
 
Expand your horizons and look for either WireWorld Eclipse 5 or Kimber BiFocal XL as well. Both wonderfully transparent cables. Happy listening!!
philjolet's avatar
philjolet
2,305 posts
 
I recommend the Goertz MI2 Veracity as the best all around 'economy' cable out there.

RWs deal above looks like a great one as long as it is the Veracity and not the Python which is newer but less well thought of.

sorry to hi jack your thread
stringreen's avatar
stringreen
6,363 posts
 
I got into this Bi-wire thing when I got my Vandersteen 5A's. Richard Vandersteen says and I have become a believer that to bi-wire you must have 2 totally seperate pair of cables - 8 wires for a bi-wired stereo pair. Go to the Vandersteen website where you will see an explanation, however, my ears tell me that he's correct. Jumpers are a total waste of time.
More to discover