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If bi-amping is so great, why do some high end speakers not support it?

I’m sure a number of you have much more technical knowledge than I. so I’m wondering: a lot of people stress the value of bi-amping. My speakers (B&W CM9, and Monitor Audio PL100II) both offer the option. I use it on the Monitors, and I think it helps.

But I’ve noticed many speakers upward of $5k, and some more than $50k (e.g., some of Magico) aren’t set up for it.

Am I missing something? Or is this just one of the issues on which there are very different opinions with no way to settle the disagreement?

Thanks folks…


128x128rsgottlieb
sqlsavior
46 posts
 
Bi-amping is for engineers.

Bi-wiring is for the birds.

IMO ;)
ctsooner
2,104 posts
 
Have you ever heard Vandersteen speakers (any of them from 2's up) played in both bi wired and then in non bi wired?  I only bring them up, because I have done this many times with many of their speakers.  There are plenty of other manufacturer's who you can say the same about.  Some folks just put the option in as a marketing ploy, but many do design their speakers to be bi wired and there is solid engineering behind it.  Just youtube some of the designers as they have addressed this often on panels at show's.  

That's fine that you feel the way you do, but you may want to go listen before saying it's for the birds. lol.
kalali's avatar
kalali
1,645 posts
 
ctsooner, the only scientific logic I can intuitively understand about the benefits of bi-wiring is the reduction in the cable resistance by doubling the length of the cables. The downside being the proportional increase in the cable capacitance, inductance, etc. The net effect could of course yield improvement in the SQ. Do you know what other design considerations might be in play that could further strengthen the argument for bi-wiring?
randy-11
1,913 posts
 
Dick Vandersteen has a white paper on biwiring posted somewhere

I go bi-amp tho
ctsooner
2,104 posts
 
Yes, Vandersteen has a white paper.  He was sharing at Audio Connections during one of his visits.  I've spoken very recently with him about bi wiring and I can't share what he said, because I honestly don't remember it, lol.  I do however remember his saying something about the powered speakers don't benefit quite as much as the non powered speakers.  Something about the bass.  I'll try to find out what I can when I'm able to.  

It's a very interesting debate, but honestly, if a designer has designed their speakers to be bi wired and or bi amped, then I don't see how we can say they are wrong.  The bi amping basically is to help with the bass control and that in turn will also free up the upper amp to deal with the speed and control of the mid and lower any problems you may have with dynamics.  It would make sense that is what he's doing with using powered subs in the Quatro on up.  I just switched from Treo to Quatro and it's not just the bass that is better (especially with the 11 band room eq), but everything is so much better.  JMHO
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