bi-wiring speakers

Many Hi-end speakers have two sets of speaker cable binding posts on their rear panels, (2 red posts, 2 black posts) connected together by the manufacturer by a gold plated "jumper" bar. Check your speakers for this setup. If your speakers only have one set per speaker (one red, one black), then you CAN NOT bi-wire them. If each speaker DOES have 2 red posts and 2 black posts, you CAN bi-wire. The top set of binding posts feeds the tweeter/midrange section of the speaker, while the bottom set feeds the woofer section. When bi-wiring, you remove the jumper bar and use all 4 posts. Bi-wiring refers to using 2 speaker cables to feed each speaker instead of the customary one cable per speaker. This increases the amount of copper carrying the signal to the speaker, and just like using Monster Cable vs. "lamp cord", more copper usually sounds better than less copper. I'm no electrical engineer, but I think larger gauge wire conducts bass frequencies better than smaller gauge wire. I can hear a positive difference when bi-wiring my speakers, so I'm a believer. Some people say "lamp cord" is just as good, but in my experience in listening to different cables in the same system tells me otherwise. Many cable manufacturers offer special bi-wire speaker cables where the 4 conductors per cable (2 red, 2 black) are connected down to 2 spade connectors (1 red, 1 black) on the amp end, and go to 4 spades on the speaker end (you guessed it, 2 red and 2 black); all enclosed in 1 speaker cable jacket the size of a garden hose for convenience. The biggest hurdle in biwiring is cost. Some people think it's worth it, others don't. From experience, you will get better sound, but it won't be twice as good. You may notice maybe a 5-10% improvement in bass punch and definition, and maybe a more open sounding midrange. If your budget can stand it and your speakers are capable, give bi-wiring a try. I think you'll be impressed with the difference. Besides, the speaker company probably would not put 4 terminals on the back unless they thought it was helpful to use them. I know of others who have experimented with different cables for the tweeter/mids vs. the woofer sections, with good results. Use your ears and let them tell you what sounds best. Good Luck! -Hifi4Me

My only question is how do you connect the four cables to your two channel amp when biwiring?

Good question, although I did cover it in my initial posting. Maybe I wasn't entirely clear. The 4 wires are solder-connected down to 2 spades on one end for use with any 2 channel amp. Now you have two wires attached to your left amp channel through one spade and likewise for your right channel.

I understand your point but am interested in your position on feeding the twweter/midrange with one amp and the woofer section with a second amp. I presume this is what is called "bi-amping." However, what do I need to look out for with respect to total wattage to the speakers? If it's rated at max 200 (B&W 640's) does that mean I should not exceed 100 watts per channel for the mid/tweeter and likewise for the bass or 200wpc for each? Yes, I'm a rookie! Thanks