CAN Bi-Amping been done Correctly?


Hello everyone,

I have heard both GOOD and BAD reports when it comes to BI-AMPING. I would like to utilize my current TUBE amps for the electrostatic panel of my Martin Logans and then utilize some SS drive on the low-end, Good or Bad idea?. I would like to ask what may, or may not be, a simple question. CAN BI-AMPING BE DONE CORRECTLY? Are there more bad than good related benefits to doing so or visa-versa? What is it exactly I need to pay strict attention to regarding the cabling, speakers and amps? I know this may be a lengthy answer but I would greatly appreciate your experience and advice.

My best,

Mark
3c3mbh

Showing 1 response by piezo

I work with pro sound reinforcement a lot and multi amping is a way of life. Use a big solid amp for the bottom and you can get away with a smaller amp for the highs and mids because the big power suck is the bass. I don't know why you would need the same amp for highs and lows, especially if you are mixing two different speakers, though you may need to experiment to find an amp combination that suits you. The difference i see in the pro side verses what i see here is that we use a cross over to split the signal out of the board (i.e. the pre-amplifier) where as it seems that in hi-fi applications the full range signal goes to both the mains and the subs with a cross over in the sub controlling what the sub reproduces. The mains are also trying to reproduce that low signal and that may be where the clash comes from...just a guess. In pro set ups you also need to tune the cross overs and eq for the room, it's not a simple plug and play operation. The cable swapping noted above seems to be a dialless method of EQing the system.