One author's note on on the benefits of bi-amping

[3db]

http://sound.westhost.com/bi-amp.htm

 

[highfigh]

His version of bi-amping isn't the same as using a pair of receiver channels to drive full-range audio signal to a woofer, though. His version is the way it was intended and is used in PA systems, which use completely different drivers/crossovers/processors and equalization from what is normally used in a home stereo or theater system. Technically, anyone using an amplified subwoofer and its high pass filter is bi-amping. I question biamping when the speakers have jumpers or bars to connect the high pass and low pass unless there's some way to make sure the levels will be well-matched.

If channels of equal power are used, only a little more headroom and a little output will result in a home audio system but when a large-venue PA is being designed, the power levels they use dictates that separate amps be used for each frequency range since any passive crossover will have at least 3dB of insertion loss and when a system is already in the 50KW range, not only will they need to use twice as much power (Mo' money, mo' money, mo'money!) losing half of the power to insertion loss and the heat generated in the passive crossover means that if a component fails, serious sound issues will result. With passive crossovers, if the crossover fails, they can replace it in the rack and not have to send a rigger up the array to pull it out of the speaker cabinet in hte middle of a concert.

 

[skers_54]

I've read that article before. It lays out the benefits of active bi-amping very well and in pretty plain language. Unfortunately, most people don't understand the differences of what the author is doing vs. using the bi-amp mode in their receiver. I would love to try a fully active system but that would require more money and time than I currently have available.

Highfigh is spot on with his observations. Pro and home audio have very different goals that aren't obvious to the layman. The listening spaces involved in each require many different considerations, especially power and speaker sensitivity. Reliablity, cost and ease of service are extremely important in pro systems (they're still important in home audio but often take a back seat to fidelity and convenience).

 

[TLS Guy]

http://sound.westhost.com/bi-amp.htm

I agree that biamping is only helpful if it is active and not passive.

He makes the point that inductors in passive crossovers are potentially the biggest quality spoilers, unless built to exacting specifications. On most of the speakers talked about on these forums they are having a highly deleterious effect on sound quality. The crossovers alone should cost what a lot of these Internet speaker companies are charging for speakers, before we get to drivers and a cabinet.

I think we are now at the point where we could build active crossovers and class D amps for each pass band for the cost of the inductors.

What is holding things up, is that damn receiver concept and slavish consumer adherence to it.

I have an issue with the author that fourth order LR filters are a one size fits all. They certainly are not.

 

[lsiberian]

I agree that biamping is only helpful if it is active and not passive.

He makes the point that inductors in passive crossovers are potentially the biggest quality spoilers, unless built to exacting specifications. On most of the speakers talked about on these forums they are having a highly deleterious effect on sound quality. The crossovers alone should cost what a lot of these Internet speaker companies are charging for speakers, before we get to drivers and a cabinet.

I think we are now at the point where we could build active crossovers and class D amps for each pass band for the cost of the inductors.

What is holding things up, is that damn receiver concept and slavish consumer adherence to it.

I have an issue with the author that fourth order LR filters are a one size fits all. They certainly are not.

Problem is TLS is that most consumers can't tell a difference. My wife can't tell the difference between her ipod and my custom built speakers. Heck she can't even tell the difference between our PJ without light control and with it.

I'd contend that the speakers are better than your giving them credit though I do understand were your coming from. The fact is most folks don't know any better.

 

[highfigh]

"The fact is most folks don't know any better."

And marketing departments all over count on this. They also count on the fact that a lot of people don't like to ask questions about things they now little/nothing about because they think "I don't want to look stupid", so they end up believing what's not necessarily true.

Another fact that can't be ignored is that many people just don't want to know all of the fine details about AV equipment, they just want it to look and sound good (to them). The exception is the type of person who wants to show off their big buck system/whole house integration package but only show what it does, not how it happens. These people need to know more about how the system is operated because if they don't, they won't be able to demo it.

Quite a while ago, one of the trade mags had an article about how CE retailers needed to be more educator than salesperson and that's where big box stores fail when they have non-commission salespeople. They really don't care if they do a great job and have repeat customers the way someone who works for an audio specialist does. For the latter, their job depends on this although their commission only reflects who well they sell, not necessarily how well they educate their customers.