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Bi-amping XLR or RCA?

Hello friendly people,
I have 2 questions that are interrelated. So here is the background: I now own a set of Wharfedale Opus surround speakers (Opus 1 mains, center, and surrounds) that I am currently powering with my HK avr 340 (very underpowered, I know) I have a B&K 125.7 on the way. I am going to use the HK pre-outs to drive the BK for now.
1) I thought it would be fun to try bi-amping the mains with my two extra channels with something like this: http://www.dbxpro.com/223XL/223XL.php and removing the first hi/lo filter in the speakers so the driver gets a pure lo-pass signal and then the mid/tweet crossover gets the rest above 700hz. I would like to hear opinions/advice on the efficacy of actively bi-amping this particular setup.
2) I can’t decide to whether to get the RCA or XLR version of the crossover. I assume my next upgrade will be a processor with XLR outs. So, my second question is: if my sources are not balanced will this do me any good? Will a processor send a “balanced” signal to the crossover, to the amp independent of the source?

Thanks!
Jonas
barbourjonas

Showing 1 response by barbourjonas

barbourjonas OP
2 posts
 
I think part of the reason I found the above Xover is because I would not need to split the signal from the preamp, the Xover does the splitting. I also planned on opening up the speakers and bipassing the first crossover, so at least the sub would be truly active. From what I understand there are two passive crossovers in a 3way speaker. 1 b/t bass and mid-high and 1 b/t mid and high.
I spent some time reading/looking at y splitters but my feeling there is no advantage to passive bi-amping. one, the signal would be passivly split. two, the amps would still be sending a full range signal to each speaker. three, all the passive xovers in the speaker would still be used, giving no realy sonic or power advantage.
And btw, if anyone has a better Xover suggestion in the <$200 range I'm all ears!

your point is a good one on the balanced/unbalanced signal. Whatever preamp I research, I will need to find out specifically if it will send a balanced signal independant of the source.
Thanks!
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