2. tech-talk
  3. 1313450567

Another biamp thread.

I've been checking and lurking on biamp threads the last few months as I've been squaring away the basics on my system. I've been passively biamping my Sony SS M3 bookshelf speakers for several months. I've read most threads I could find several times. Still, I have a few questions. I'd like to try actively biamping. I want to keep it all analog. I was thinking of using a Behringer CX3400 and then possibly trading up to a Marchand after fine tuning, assuming the initial experience keeps me wanting more, that is. I have no experience working with electronic components. Do I need to have an experienced tech remove the passive crossovers, or is it about as simple changing a screen? Does this project seem ill-advised?
poprhetor

Showing 2 responses by hifihvn

hifihvn
943 posts
 
Crossovers are indeed complicated. It's hard to out do an Engineer/Designer as an experimenter. It's hit or miss. If you miss, you could end up with blown drivers fairly easy. A lot are hard to get. Especially tweeters that blow easily. If there is a proven upgrade, then you have a better chance. After experimenting with speakers years ago, the best I found was to leave it to the pros.

Possibly change to better grade caps in the passive crossovers (same value) in there now would be an option.

As far as keeping it all analog, I don't know if that could be done with something like the Behringer you mentioned. It has a time delay in it, and that most likely does it in digital. Could it be bypassed? Also, all the op amps, capacitors, and who knows how much other active electronics added to the mix, that could add something else sonically.

The pros have the high dollar test equipment to work with, and see the after results too.
hifihvn
943 posts
 

08-16-11: Drew_eckhardt
08-15-11: Hifihvn
>The pros have the high dollar test equipment to work with, and see the after results too.

The few few hundred dollars to buy a personal ARTA license for gated measurements, microphone preamp, and calibrated measurement mic are no longer a big deal.

Reading a couple of books doesn't turn you into an expert. I guess you could test them outside instead of an anechoic chamber. But that aside, there are all kinds of things that you learn from experience and Electrical Engineering school to decipher what some things mean, if this equipment can give you everything the experts use. It sort of reminds me of these ISF certified guys that come out to your house to calibrate your TV for D6500. A lot of TV's look terrible after. They don't understand what is going on, and that is the way it is, since the equipment shows it's close to D6500. Also THX certified equipment. Definitely not a sure thing for hi-end. There is a real science to crossovers, and how much different they can act just with a different wood used for a speaker. The same goes for different materials used for speaker cones with the same specs..
More to discover