Bi-Amping Dilema!!

[timoteo]

My home theater as of now is: Denon AVR889 - B&W HTM62 (center) - B&W 683's (fronts) - B&W M-1's (3surrounds) & B&W AS2 (sub).
I'm very happy with my 6.1 setup until this. I bi-amped my front towers which of course made them sound much better. However, to do so, I had to sacrifice my 6.1 down to a 5.1, now the way my livingroom is setup, that extra rear channel made quite a difference.
Should I go with some sort of power amp to be able to keep my fronts bi-amped all the while keeping my 6.1? I know nothing about power amps so any info or tips would be appreciated. I am pretty much at my spending limit (as we all are these days) so cant spend more then $100-$200.
My reciever is 100wpc. My towers are 200w max.
You guys have helped me a lot so far with my questions, so i know this is the place to go!!!

 

[Mike19]

Hi Timoteo.

Def add a stereo amp for the front L & R speakers.

Look for a used stereo amp of between 100wpc and 200wpc. NAD and Acurus come to mind. Check out Audiogon and your local Craig's List.

Parts Express (on-line) sells the Behringer A-500 (160w @ 8ohms) for $200. (Part #248-749).

Mike

 

[bandphan]

I bi-amped my front towers which of course made them sound much better.

Better or louder?


However, to do so, I had to sacrifice my 6.1 down to a 5.1, now the way my livingroom is setup, that extra rear channel made quite a difference.
Should I go with some sort of power amp to be able to keep my fronts bi-amped all the while keeping my 6.1? I know nothing about power amps so any info or tips would be appreciated. I am pretty much at my spending limit (as we all are these days) so cant spend more then $100-$200.
My reciever is 100wpc. My towers are 200w max.
You guys have helped me a lot so far with my questions, so i know this is the place to go!!!

If you get a 200wpc amp (that's about the min) you won't need to bi amp. Fwiw passive bi amping doesn't accomplish much. If you want to bi amp you need active crossover and 2ch per speaker. IMO you can pick up a pro amp that puts out 250w or more for under 400. Does your denon have pre outs?

 

[lsiberian]

Hi Timoteo.

Def add a stereo amp for the front L & R speakers.

Look for a used stereo amp of between 100wpc and 200wpc. NAD and Acurus come to mind. Check out Audiogon and your local Craig's List.

Parts Express (on-line) sells the Behringer A-500 (160w @ 8ohms) for $200. (Part #248-749).

Mike

for 200 you can almost grab a ep1500.

Audiolines has one for 130 I believe.

 

[lsiberian]

If you get a 200wpc amp (that's about the min) you won't need to bi amp. Fwiw passive bi amping doesn't accomplish much. If you want to bi amp you need active crossover and 2ch per speaker. IMO you can pick up a pro amp that puts out 250w or more for under 400. Does your denon have pre outs?

I don't see a lot gained by this approach. I suggest you get a DCX2496 and a single A500 or ep1500

Use it to cross your mains with your subs. You can also eq the system with one if you get a pair of ep1500s and a DCX2496.

 

[lsiberian]

Hi Timoteo.

Def add a stereo amp for the front L & R speakers.

Look for a used stereo amp of between 100wpc and 200wpc. NAD and Acurus come to mind. Check out Audiogon and your local Craig's List.

Parts Express (on-line) sells the Behringer A-500 (160w @ 8ohms) for $200. (Part #248-749).

Mike

Typically many home theater focused brands of amps have very poor XLR inputs. I suggest the A-500 as well. It will outperform most home theater geared products. Though if Aesthetics are a concern and XPA-5 would make a nice pro-amp. pair it with a DCX 2496 and you would have a very nice setup.

 

[mtrycrafts]

My home theater as of now is: Denon AVR889 - B&W HTM62 (center) - B&W 683's (fronts) - B&W M-1's (3surrounds) & B&W AS2 (sub).
I'm very happy with my 6.1 setup until this. I bi-amped my front towers which of course made them sound much better. However, to do so, I had to sacrifice my 6.1 down to a 5.1, now the way my livingroom is setup, that extra rear channel made quite a difference.
Should I go with some sort of power amp to be able to keep my fronts bi-amped all the while keeping my 6.1? I know nothing about power amps so any info or tips would be appreciated. I am pretty much at my spending limit (as we all are these days) so cant spend more then $100-$200.
My reciever is 100wpc. My towers are 200w max.
You guys have helped me a lot so far with my questions, so i know this is the place to go!!!

Dilemma solution? Forget bi-amping and work on room acoustics