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Vandersteen 2Ci - Bi-wire cable question

This might sound like a stupid question but I'm going to ask anyway. I see lots of bi-wire speaker cables with one pair wire connection to the amp on one side and two pairs (bi-wire) on the other/speaker end. I always questioned the wisdom and wondered how these cables are made. So here's my question: Are there any benefits in "converting" my regular speaker cables into bi-wire by simply splicing two short pairs of  cables, of course same quality as the main cable with connectors on the speaker ends.The speaker in question is Vandersteen 2Ci which doesn't have jumpers. I'm also wondering how folks hook up regular speaker wires to these speakers.

Or, I should also ask if a bi-wire connection mandatory on these speakers? Thanks.

kalali

Showing 7 responses by kalali

kalali's avatar
kalali OP
1,977 posts
 
Thanks everyone for the input. I found a used pair locally and picking them up later tonight. Very excited. They are replacing a pair of MMGs that I bought a few months ago and as much as I liked their crisp sound and nice soundstage, I could not warm up to their sound texture and the extra narrow listening position. I'm also looking forward to getting a better bass foundation which the MMGs seemed to lack. It was definitely worth the experience. I'll let you folks know how I make out and will probably ask more questions once I get them hooked up. Thanks again.
kalali's avatar
kalali OP
1,977 posts
 

Well gentlemen, the speakers are in and hooked up. Heavy puppies with the Sound Anchor stands and they look practically new. Followed Johnny’s suggestion and made a set of jumpers using 8 awg wire and I really like the sound they make. Very open and balanced sound top to bottom with bass filled in just the right amount. Good soundstage and a wide sweet spot that allows others to enjoy the music as well. Overall very happy about the switch.

As for cables, the challenge I have is that these speakers are in a room adjacent to the rest of my system and the I have a roughly 25’ long wire (12 awg) run through the basement to the speakers. The amp does have two pairs of outputs and I can try running a second pair from the amp if you guys think its worth the effort. The wires are nothing special and are cheap, its just the effort of fishing them through the wall, basement, etc.

Thanks again for all the input. I can now see why these speakers have lasted the test of time and offer such a great value.

kalali's avatar
kalali OP
1,977 posts
 
You guys have talked me into it. I'll poke and see if I can fish another set of wires through the same path I ran the first ones. It'll be basically two roughly 20' long 12 awg wires from the two pairs of ports on the amp. I can't see any downsides and the wires are nothing special and quite reasonably priced.
kalali's avatar
kalali OP
1,977 posts
 
By the way, a side question: I see pictures of these speakers with  the drivers exposed. Is it possible to easily pull down the mesh skirt or that's just from the manufacturer showing the design, etc.?
kalali's avatar
kalali OP
1,977 posts
 

The question about the sock was purely based on curiosity and having looked at the videos, they are clearly not designed for removal unless a repair is needed.

Regarding the wires, I know there are a lot of great cables out there and I don't mean to rekindle a well exhausted debate around their benefits so with that been said, I went ahead and fished a second pair of 12 awg wires, just like the ones I already had from my amp to the speakers. Again these wires are nothing special and I've been using them with four different speakers and they've served me well. I must have to say adding the second pair did indeed make a difference. The most noticeable affect is a slightly better bass. Definitely noticeable. I'm guessing adding the second pair halved the load that the amp now sees from the speakers by technically halving the length of cables. All in all, it was worth the effort. Thank you all for guidance. These speakers do indeed sound very musical.

kalali's avatar
kalali OP
1,977 posts
 
I posted a comment about general bi-wiring in a different thread but would like to ask a more specific question about the 2Ci and the directions in the manual. The manual recommends using two identical amps for vertical bi-wiring which makes sense but they show stereo amps not monoblocks and the wiring from each amp is such that one channel drives the tweeter/mid and the other channel drives the bass. So when done, depending on which channels are used- right or left, it looks like the channels driving the bass (or tweeter/mid) could be switched from right to left. Am I missing something or this makes sense to everyone else?
kalali's avatar
kalali OP
1,977 posts
 

I'm sorry I mistakenly wrote "bi-wiring" instead of "bi-amping". I have already "bi-wired" the speakers using a single stereo amp which has two pairs of speaker outputs. I was questioning the vertical "bi-amp" diagram in the manual which goes like this:

Amp # 1 ..................> Left speaker

   Left +/- ....................> mid-tweeter cable

   Right +/- .................> bass cable

---------------------------------------------------------------

Amp # 2 .................> Right speaker

   Right +/- .................> mid-tweeter cable

   Left +/- ...................> bass cable

My confusion is about the bass cable connections which appear to be reversed. Sorry if I'm missing something obvious.

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