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B&W 800D2 - Bi-amping vs Bi-wiring

Hello folks,

I am looking for feedback on bi-amping these amazing speakers. I currently own a CA-2200 amp and it seems 200w per channel may not be adequate to realize full potential of 800D2. So i was thinking of bi-amping two classe ca-2200 for L/R speakers, thus feeding 400w each to Left and Right speakers. Or am i better off buying a pair of CA-M600 for each speaker? I would like to stick with Classe amps only... love the way they sound.

Next question is about bi-wiring. There seems to be bit of confusion (atleast in my head) on the best way to bi-wire speakers. The true shotgun cable is terminated with two split(+ and -)on amp end and 4 splits (2 + and 2 -)on speaker end. I have seen illustrations where bi-wiring is done with 2 identical runs of cables between dual binding posts on amp and speaker ends feeding seperate signal to LF and HF speaker inputs. I have read about the advantages of two single runs but my cable manufacturer doesn't seems to agree with this configuration. He is still recommending shotgun configuration.

I hope to gain some insight before i make an investment in a amp or new cables. I currently own a bi-wire cable in shotgun configuration.
128x128lalitk
zd542
5,339 posts
 
Al,

I should have mentioned in my last post that I wasn't talking so much about more volume, as I was about overall sound quality. And along with that the impression of the amp being more at ease, with driving the speakers. For me, that sounds like more power, even though I wasn't playing the system at a louder volume. As always, thanks for the excellent explanation.

"08-02-15: Lalitk
Thank you all for the feedback. It seems that instead of bi-amping, I should look at investing in a high current monoblocks. The additional expense of running balance and power cables can best be put use towards a quality amp. "

That sounds like a good idea; especially the part about putting the money towards a better amp instead of cables. The only thing I would add, is that it seems that you are focusing on the design more than the end result. There's nothing that says a mono block has to outperform a stereo amp. It all depends on a variety of factors. Buy the amp that works and sounds the best with your speakers. That's what's really important.
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almarg
9,670 posts
 
Thanks, ZD. Yes, as we've both said in a number of past threads, vertical biamping can often be sonically beneficial. Including making the amps seem more at ease, as you and Mark indicated above. But as we and some of the others who have posted agree, it won't increase power capability greatly, and in this case it doesn't appear to be the best course of action for the OP.

Best regards,
-- Al
brystonuser
17 posts
 
I currently own both 802 Diamonds and 800 Diamonds. The 802's came 1st and were initially powered by a single Bryston 4B-SST. I had a 2nd that wasn't being used so I "bi-amped" them and if it made any difference it was slight. I bi-amped by using one 4B-SST for the woofers and the other for the mids/highs.

When I got my 800's I did the same thing but in reverse order I think. I started with the 2 amps and went to one because I needed the rack space. Again if there was a difference it was slight. Certainly not worth the cost to do. I was lucky I had the 2nd amp on hand anyways but would not spend the money on a 2nd amp to get little to no performance increase.

Later on I replaced the 4B-SST with a pair of 28B-SST2's. Now there was a difference. Much more open at all listening levels. So this was going from 340 watts to 1250 watts.

Based on my experience I say go with more power but make sure you at least double your current wattage to get minimum of 3dB more.
lalitk's avatar
lalitk OP
5,111 posts
 
Hello folks,

Thank you all for the feedback. I have narrow it down to Modwright KWA150 SE. Exchanged few emails with Dan at MW, quite an upstanding guy. I plan to run a pair of 150SE in Mono (bridged) mode, 450W x 1 in 8 ohms.

Stay tuned for an update by end of next week.
bodhi
49 posts
 
Good move with the KWA-150SE which is warm & tube-like, has plenty of power & is beautifully built. Dan is a great guy to deal with & very honest. You'll have plenty of grunt with 2 150's!
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