2. cables
  3. 193482-202581

If Bi-Wiring is an option, should I choose Bi-wiring over single banana with free jumpers

Hello All!

Newbie here : ) I have a pair of speakers (MartinLogan Motion 40i) that have, according to the website, "dual five-way binding post speaker terminals which allow bi-amping or bi-wiring." As you can see in the top right photo of the speaker terminals in this link, the speakers came with free jumpers (the jumpers look like just a sheet of conductive metal) between the 4 terminals. 

https://www.martinlogan.com/en/product/motion-40i

So when purchasing speaker cables, placing the best quality connection over cost, should I:

1. (Cheapest) Get single banana plugs and use the included free jumpers, or

2. (More costly but will it be WAY better?) Get Bi-wire speaker cables and remove the free jumpers.

3. Get single banana plugs, and find some high quality jumpers to replace the free included jumpers.

If it doesnt matter much to sound quality, it seems option #1 is best as its cheapest. However my goal is to get the best/most efficient connection so i suspect options #2 or #3 might be the way to go? 

Many thanks for any advice!

 

steve_a001
sc0ttc00ter
29 posts
 

Forget opinions… what does the manufacturer recommend? They’re the ultimate expert for their own products.

imjerrys
23 posts
 

I prefer single wiring with jumpers. Follow the recommendation of Merlin's Barry Palkovic, connect the single-wire cable to the speaker's tweeter/HF connections, and use jumpers to the bass/LF connections.

gbmcleod
518 posts
 

I’ve had both on my Nola Lotus Elites 20 years ago, and they sound better bi-wired. I find the bass frequencies sound clearer when they have their own lead.

I can't say that I’ve found very many speakers that sounded their best with a jumper instead of its own lead. I’m sure they’re out there; I just haven't heard it yet.

lordmelton's avatar
lordmelton
942 posts
 

@imjerrys 

I prefer single wiring with jumpers. Follow the recommendation of Merlin's Barry Palkovic, connect the single-wire cable to the speaker's tweeter/HF connections, and use jumpers to the bass/LF connections.

This works for me. Honestly, bi-wiring is imagination because the speaker cables are bridged at the amp and speaker end. Just a marketing ploy.

I use Nordost Reference jumpers and they are incredible, can't imagine what the Odin's are like.

More to discover