5.1 OR 7.1 "bi-amped"...?

[timoteo]

So right now I am running my B&W 683 system off my Denon 889. My question is this:

Should I have have my receiver set to 5.1 and not use the 6th & 7th channels so as to free up power for the other 5 channels?

Or

Should I "bi-amp" my mains, which means using all 7 channels?

I am not using a 2nd zone so im just curious as to which setting would give me "better" sound. Ive read bench tests that say my Denon pushes out 105 watts per channel with 5 channels driven. Yet it drops a bit with 7 channels driven. Right now i am not doing the fake "bi-amping" but was woundering if doing so would give me any more headroom in power.

Thanks for any help with this question!!!

P.S. I do plan on upgrading to seperates in the future to give me better power options. However in the meantime id like to get the best from what ive got.

 

[adwilk]

If you "think" it will sound better, then it absolutely will.

In reality, there will be no audible difference whatsoever. I'd save your time and cable.

 

[yepimonfire]

im guessing your talking about trying to bi-amp using the rear outputs as a second zone? the problem with that is the second zone volume control does not change with the regular volume control, you have to turn the volumes up and down seperately, meaning you may have louder tweeters then woofers and vice versa and you wont know it unless your willing to do a bunch of sine wave dB monitoring tests everytime you change the volume, the only way you can do bi-amping and do it correctly is to have multiple amplifiers and an active x-over network, IMO trying to do what you want to do will just be a pain in the long run. i also dont think multiple amplification is nessacary unless your running a pro-system. also 105wpc is plenty of headroom even for the most demanding speakers, unless your trying to blow your neighbors windows out i doubt you will use all that power up.

 

[timoteo]

thanks for the replys!

I should have been a little more clear with my question. I know that it will not sound better because i have demoed my setup both ways. What id really like to know is if one way is better than the other as far as headroom for at least the mains. And if it is would it be at the sacrifice of headroom for the other channels?

As far as the 2nd zone & having to mess with treble & bass that is not an issue. My Denon has an option of 5.1 with a 2nd Zone or 5.1 with the mains biamped. After i run my calibration i dont need to mess with anything.

Any help with this would be appreciated!

FirstReflection if you read this your input is always taken respectably!!

 

[adwilk]

thanks for the replys!

I should have been a little more clear with my question. I know that it will not sound better because i have demoed my setup both ways. What id really like to know is if one way is better than the other as far as headroom for at least the mains. And if it is would it be at the sacrifice of headroom for the other channels?

As far as the 2nd zone & having to mess with treble & bass that is not an issue. My Denon has an option of 5.1 with a 2nd Zone or 5.1 with the mains biamped. After i run my calibration i dont need to mess with anything.

Any help with this would be appreciated!

FirstReflection if you read this your input is always taken respectably!!

Honestly, the headroom you'll gain either way (more or less wattage for either the mains or the rest) will be insignificant. Even the receivers that feature some sort of "power steering" don't make that much difference from what I've seen although I'm sure there are exceptions.

I would be absolutely shocked if you could tell a difference either way, but I see why your asking. If you're in a situation where you're calling on the amplifier to produce more than its capable of in one scenario, its likely to do the same in the other. In other words, you clipped it either way.

You're right on about going to separates if you really want the extra headroom. Your speakers have a minimum 3ohm load and even at 90db a little extra junk in the trunk certainly couldn't hurt ya. It would definitely be on my priority list.

 

[adwilk]

also 105wpc is plenty of headroom even for the most demanding speakers, unless your trying to blow your neighbors windows out i doubt you will use all that power up.

Just in the interest of being thorough, it might not take ALL that much to use up his amps capabilities. Certainly a blanket statement of "most demanding speakers" is beyond ridiculous. There are plenty of speakers that would gobble up 105 watts like a hobo on a bologna sandwich... yeah....