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Bi-amping Rules

I wasn't sure if this question belongs in the amp or the speaker section but I figured I'll post it here. Those of you who have bi-amped your speakers, what's the general rule for deciding which amplifiers are better for low frequency vs. the high frequency drivers. I recognize an accurate answer will depend on the particular speakers and amp combinations but I'm looking for general rules of thumb from personal experiences and not application specific recommendations. For the sake of the argument, let's assume the amps are different but the gains on both amps can be adjusted if that matters. Thanks.
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Showing 4 responses by georgehifi

georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 
Vertical bi-amping with identical amps.
👍 Yes vertical bi-amping is the way if the amps are identical.
The reason for this is that the whole shared power supply of one stereo amp can be used by the one bass driver of one channel on transients and will make for better transients and bass.
This is why vertical bi-amping is the very best, but only with identical amps. (unless the stereo amp is "true dual mono" with "two separate power transformers".)
http://www.classicspeakerpages.net/IP.Board/uploads/monthly_2016_03/7_Vertical_Bi-Amp.jpg.ba97802ae9...

And if bi-amping with different amps it has to be horizontal bi-amping, and you’ll need a volume control on the amp with the highest gain, (a passive like the $39 Shitt Sys will do)
http://www.av2day.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/biamp1.jpg

Cheers George
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 
Vertical bi-amping with identical amps.
👍 Yes vertical bi-amping is the way if the amps are identical.

Or horizontal bi-amp a good class-A or A/B or tube on the mids and highs and a class-d on the bass.
 
Cheers George
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 

gibalok16 posts03-14-2020 5:45amVX-5 Twenty is a stereo amp. The Next is MXR - a lot expensive. But ok - incredible.

I dont see any alternative to VX-5 twenty. I can pick up AR 150se but no sure that makes sense.
I don’t see why not, then use the AR150se on the mids and highs and the Ayre VX-5 on the bass, and this time horizontal bi-amp, as I outlined here, at the end of the post
.https://forum.audiogon.com/posts/1861204

Cheers George

georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 
Its always better to use a better stereo amp than to use lesser monoblox

 Just to clarify a little on that.

"It’s always better for sound quality to use a stereo amp if you have enough wattage, than to use "bridged" monoblocks of the same amp."

As all that’s gained by "bridging" is extra wattage, every other parameter that’s important for "sound quality" in an amp’s make up specs take a hit.

Cheers George
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