2. cables
  3. 1205970758

Bi-wired vs Single Termination

Recently upgraded speakers to B&W 804s and want to upgrade speaker cables. B&W has ability to be bi-wired or to use their supplied jumper at the speaker terminals. What is the adjantage of a bi-wired cable vs a single termination and use of B&W jumpers. I am looking at a used set of Volcanos with single banana plugs vs a set of Mont Blanc with bi-wiring. I understand volcano is a "better" cable but all things being equal which configuation is "better". Speakers are not being bi-amped and at this time I do not intend to bi-amp them.
smerlas

Showing 4 responses by rodman99999

rodman99999
6,206 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.
rodman99999
6,206 posts
 
Dcstep- You're correct: the jumper is just a connection between the high and low frequency sections of the crossover. Here's a short treatise on the subject of bi-wiring(as well as active and vertical bi-amping): ( http://www.soundstage.com/synergize/synergize031998.htm)
rodman99999
6,206 posts
 
Expand your horizons and look for either WireWorld Eclipse 5 or Kimber BiFocal XL as well. Both wonderfully transparent cables. Happy listening!!
rodman99999
6,206 posts
 
I've read the same article a number of times. In fact: It inspired me to go with WireWorld Atlantis 5's for awhile. I now have the Eclipse 5's on my mains(I'm actively bi-amping with a TacT RCS 2.2XP). As inexpensive as the Home Depot extension cord((HD-14G as Paul Seydor dubbed it)is: why not go ahead and try it in the the bi-wire configuration? There's no doubt you will find an audible improvement.
More to discover