Bi-Wiring Clarification needed

[SangYuP]

I know most people feel that this is a waste of time, but since I have the ability to do it, I would like some clarification on biwiring. I purchased some RTi8's today and I have a Yamaha HTR-5860 that these speakers will connect to. I understand that 2 pairs of speaker wire will be going to each speaker, but the end that goes into the receiver is where I need clarification. Do both of the speaker wires from the speaker (2 + and 2 -) go into one channel (2+ goes into just the single + and the 2- from the speaker goes into the single - terminal)? For example, if it's the right speaker, will the 2 + cables go into the single right + terminal and same as the left channel? Basically are you combining the cables from the speakers and putting 2 cables into a single terminal? Is this safe with all receivers?

 

[PENG]

I know most people feel that this is a waste of time, but since I have the ability to do it, I would like some clarification on biwiring. I purchased some RTi8's today and I have a Yamaha HTR-5860 that these speakers will connect to. I understand that 2 pairs of speaker wire will be going to each speaker, but the end that goes into the receiver is where I need clarification. Do both of the speaker wires from the speaker (2 + and 2 -) go into one channel (2+ goes into just the single + and the 2- from the speaker goes into the single - terminal)? For example, if it's the right speaker, will the 2 + cables go into the single right + terminal and same as the left channel? Basically are you combining the cables from the speakers and putting 2 cables into a single terminal? Is this safe with all receivers?

I think I know what you mean and you are correct. It is safe for the receiver because bi-wire simply means you have two pairs of wires connected to one set (channel) of output terminals instead of just one pair. At the speaker, you remove the link to isolate the tweeter from the base drivers so that the wires that feed the tweeter will carry very little low frequency signals because the crossover at the tweeter will block them. You should not have to worry about impedance issue neither because the manufacturer must have got that figured out so that when you remove the links your 8 ohm nominal speakers won't suddenly become 4 ohm nominal speakers. I know you are aware of the fact that most people on this forum do not believe bi-wire will improve sound quality. They think it is a waste of money and that you are better off just use heavier gauge wires such as 10 AWG and be done with it.

 

[SangYuP]

I think I know what you mean and you are correct. It is safe for the receiver because bi-wire simply means you have two pairs of wires connected to one set (channel) of output terminals instead of just one pair. At the speaker, you remove the link to isolate the tweeter from the base drivers so that the wires that feed the tweeter will carry very little low frequency signals because the crossover at the tweeter will block them. You should not have to worry about impedance issue neither because the manufacturer must have got that figured out so that when you remove the links your 8 ohm nominal speakers won't suddenly become 4 ohm nominal speakers. I know you are aware of the fact that most people on this forum do not believe bi-wire will improve sound quality. They think it is a waste of money and that you are better off just use heavier gauge wires such as 10 AWG and be done with it.

Peng,

Thank you so much for the information. Do I need to use Bi-Wire speaker wires? Or can I just use 2 sets of speaker wires to each speaker? I'll try to get either 10 or 12 AWG for both.

 

[PENG]

Peng,

Thank you so much for the information. Do I need to use Bi-Wire speaker wires? Or can I just use 2 sets of speaker wires to each speaker? I'll try to get either 10 or 12 AWG for both.

You can just use 2 sets of wires for each speaker but be careful with phasing, like you said + to +, - to - for both pairs. Unless your wires are 20 ft or longer I think 12 AWG will be fine and easier to work with. I guess you are going to end up having a pair of wires powering just the tweeter while the other pair takes care of the two bass/mid bass drivers.

 

[SangYuP]

You can just use 2 sets of wires for each speaker but be careful with phasing, like you said + to +, - to - for both pairs. Unless your wires are 20 ft or longer I think 12 AWG will be fine and easier to work with. I guess you are going to end up having a pair of wires powering just the tweeter while the other pair takes care of the two bass/mid bass drivers.

I will be sure to make sure that I get the phase correct. Is it bad to have one pair powering the tweeters while the other pair takes care of the two bass/mid bass drivers?

 

[PENG]

I will be sure to make sure that I get the phase correct. Is it bad to have one pair powering the tweeters while the other pair takes care of the two bass/mid bass drivers?

Not really, but that is one more reason why many people think it is a waste of money/wire because the tweeter itself doesn't benefit from wires that thick. In fact there are people who would suggest using thinner wires for the tweeter. Since you are interested in biwiring, you may want to visit some loudspeaker manufacturers sites such as the following and see what they say:

http://www.polkaudio.com/homeaudio/products/individual/floorstanding/?helpid=53
http://www.vandersteen.com/pages/Answr7.htm
http://www.bowers-wilkins.com/display.aspx?infid=1440
http://www.celestion.com/information/support.html
http://www.kef.com/support/faq.asp#biwiring
http://www.paradigm.com/en/paradigm/tech_faq/
http://www.totemacoustic.com/ca/en/support/faq/
http://www.wharfedale.co.uk/faq.php?show_faq=7

There are also manufacturers who don't provide the biwire option at all. Dynaudio actually claims that their speakers are designed to be an ideal load for the amplifiers without biwire/biamp. Others such as JBL, PSB usually (in their higher end models) provide the terminals for those who want to do it, but they don't seem to think biwire offers any audible sonic improvements. If you do a search here you will see that the benefit of biwire is a highly controversial topic.

 

[SangYuP]

Not really, but that is one more reason why many people think it is a waste of money/wire because the tweeter itself doesn't benefit from wires that thick. In fact there are people who would suggest using thinner wires for the tweeter. Since you are interested in biwiring, you may want to visit some loudspeaker manufacturers sites such as the following and see what they say:

http://www.polkaudio.com/homeaudio/products/individual/floorstanding/?helpid=53
http://www.vandersteen.com/pages/Answr7.htm
http://www.bowers-wilkins.com/display.aspx?infid=1440
http://www.celestion.com/information/support.html
http://www.kef.com/support/faq.asp#biwiring
http://www.paradigm.com/en/paradigm/tech_faq/
http://www.totemacoustic.com/ca/en/support/faq/
http://www.wharfedale.co.uk/faq.php?show_faq=7

There are also manufacturers who don't provide the biwire option at all. Dynaudio actually claims that their speakers are designed to be an ideal load for the amplifiers without biwire/biamp. Others such as JBL, PSB usually (in their higher end models) provide the terminals for those who want to do it, but they don't seem to think biwire offers any audible sonic improvements. If you do a search here you will see that the benefit of biwire is a highly controversial topic.

Peng,

That was really helpful, thank you. I guess I have some reading to do today.

 

[mtrycrafts]

.... Is it bad to have one pair powering the tweeters while the other pair takes care of the two bass/mid bass drivers?

Not sure I follow you on this, what you mean. One pair of wires driving the tweeters left side and right side speakers? And the other pair the low drivers?

You don't want to right channel amp driving the left and right tweeters or the lows, for that matter.

 

[SangYuP]

Not sure I follow you on this, what you mean. One pair of wires driving the tweeters left side and right side speakers? And the other pair the low drivers?

You don't want to right channel amp driving the left and right tweeters or the lows, for that matter.

I was just asking about what Peng said in Post 4. He was talking about the biwiring where one pair of speaker wire will drive the tweeter and the other pair will drive the mid bass for EACH speaker whether it is the right or left. There will not be any crossing between left and right. I hope that clears it up and sorry for the confusion.

 

[mazersteven]

Best Deal Cables
http://www.bestdealcables.com/c-16-bi-wire-speaker-cable.aspx

 

[SangYuP]

Best Deal Cables
http://www.bestdealcables.com/c-16-bi-wire-speaker-cable.aspx

I'll check them out.

 

[jamie2112]

Best Deal cables is where I got my subwoofer cable from. But I bought my speaker wire at www.monoprice.com as they had the best prices for bulk quality cable for speakers.....

 

[SangYuP]

Best Deal cables is where I got my subwoofer cable from. But I bought my speaker wire at www.monoprice.com as they had the best prices for bulk quality cable for speakers.....

Jamie,

I've been looking at monoprice for speaker cables. I am leaning towards buying cheaper bare wire and maybe using banana plugs.

 

[jamie2112]

Jamie,

I've been looking at monoprice for speaker cables. I am leaning towards buying cheaper bare wire and maybe using banana plugs.

That is what I did. I bought 100 ft of 12 awg wire and made my own ends using the Monoprice gold banana plugs. It was $67 I think for the cable and 16 for 32 bananas very good prices....your fingers will be hurting for sure after making cables.....