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To biwire or not to biwire, that is the question??

Thanks for taking the time to read. I have sifted through the mound of information regarding biwiring but have yet to come to a clear yes or no on the matter.

My question is as follows: Using a single 2CH amplifier run to speakers that are set-up to biwire utilizing a biwire cable (2 connections amp end/ 4 connections speaker end)should return no greater result than running a single wire to that same speaker and utilizing jumpers??? My reading suggests that unless you are bi-amping, simply taking the source of the signal at the amp, (2 connections) and splitting that into (4 connections at the speaker) is not positively affecting the sound?? Bi-amping on the other hand may return an improved sound as the signals are isolated and could affect the resistance of the load?

So I guess what my reading has indicated is that if you are only running a single amp (2 connections) to a bi-wire ready speaker (4 coonnections) you are really paying for a cable that has additional ends but should return no great end product as the signals are technically not distinct as in the case of using 2 ampsor an amp set up for bi-amping?

Any thoughts are welcome as this seems to be an endless debate???
nissancrazy
russ_l
95 posts
 
Nissancrazy- the science behind biwiring has little to do with (DC) resistance but more to do with the effect of magnetic fields. When using one cable to drive each speaker the strong magnetic field of the bass signal modulates the weaker magnetic field of the mid/treble signal causing distortion. Biwiring, with two SEPARATE wires to each speaker, can but not always mitigate this distortion. It does so by passing the bass signal in one cable and the mid/woofer signal in the other cable. A few inches of separation between the two cables is all that is normally required. NOTE; a single biwire cable provides little or no separation.

Additionally, if the system itself is of not high enough resolution, the positive effect of biwiring may not be heard. As always, IMHO.

Russ
nissancrazy OP
30 posts
 
Thanks again for the information. It would seem that to get the potential benefit of biwiring that either two runs of cable need be used or a amp set up to bi-amp, dual mono or actually 2 amps.

Based upon the feedback here it would seem that using a single cable that is biwire is not really getting you any more than the single nonbiwired cable.

Utilizing 2 runs of cable for each speaker would seem to be the best way to go.

Would the suggestion be to simply tie them together at the amp end (twisting the cable together)or maybe use one cable with spades and one with banana connection to avoid twisting the cable together at the amp end?
rodman99999
3,557 posts
 


If you choose to go bi-wire: Use a cable that has two discrete pairs of conductors(full length) or two separate cables. You will gain nothing with regard to sound otherwise. Adding another pair of connectors to a single pair conductor cable is a waste of time. All you're doing is replacing the jumper with more wire that way. In some instances I suppose the wire may be better than the jumpers, but that would have to be a very low-end system. Most debates are pointless. It comes down to: If your system can resolve it, and you can hear(or will admit)a benefit: It's worth the effort! Here's a page with some further insights: (http//:www.soundstage.com/synergize/synergize031998.htm) Personally; I've been actively bi-amping for the past 28 years with excellent results.
strateahed
251 posts
 
Nissancrazy ... in my own experience, your second suggestion works best. That is - assuming a 5-way amp binding post - have one set of cables with spades the other with bananas. Each cable is allowed its own signal path. My understanding is the whole idea is to keep the runs separate. So one should avoid a single jacket cable containing double runs. Similarly, I would think that twisting cable together might compromise the signal.
beerdraft
198 posts
 
Speakers with crossovers optimized to recieve Isolated inputs will benefit from bi wire supposedly if not then it is not any better. I think its a fad, everyone seems to be doing it and they don't know why. I didn't get any better result when bi wire, now I have shunyata andromeda not bi wire and love it

beerdraft
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