passive biampingAVR's surr back channels-does it sound better for 2Ch?

[guitarman]

I have read many threads on biwiring and biamping on this and other forums and followed many interesting links, researching whether it might be worth the trouble to passively biamp my mains. This would be for potential improvements in 2 Ch; CD's are played on my Toshiba HDDVD (the long-awaited Oppo BRP with SACD is being strongly considered). My specific question is addressed to those who have tried the technique of "passive biamping" with an AVR's surround back channels. I have no intention to troll or rekindle theoretical controversies so please do not cite theory or reference experts. I am aware of, but not currently pursuing, some of the other options such as better speakers, acoustic room treaments, an external power amp, exotic wires, etc. I am aware that all amp channels share the same power tranformer. I am also aware that it is difficult to do blind A/B testing so psychoacoustics/placebo effect may affect perceptions.

I have a Denon 2809ci ( http://www.usa.denon.com/ProductDetails/4484.asp -130w/Ch into 2 Ch) set up as 5.1 so this specifically allows me to reassign my unused surround back channels to passively biamp my mains, which are Polk Rt 800i ( http://reviews.cnet.com/separate-speakers/polk-audio-rt800i/1707-7869_7-6900472.html -"two-way speaker with a bass-reflex enclosure...raised driver bezel designed to reduce grille-edge diffraction for improved imaging... a single 1" tri-laminate metal-dome tweeter and two 6.5" mid-bass drivers, 90dB sensitivity, 8 Ohm). These have a passive 2-way xover and currently have the standard gold-plated jumpers across the 2sets of binding posts ("biampable"), and are currently wired with 8' of good quality 12 ga stranded speaker wire. In the AVR I have the speakers set to Small, crossover @ 60 Hz, using the AVR's excellent bass management and my Polk PSW 350 powered sub (10" woofer, 100 W amp).

Everything sounds pretty good, especially using the impressive Audyssey MULTEQ XT Room equalization built into the Denon to tame my acoustically challenged rather lively 16’X22’ HT/familyroom with vaulted ceiling. But I'm looking for a good cheap tweak and I am interested in your results with your equipment.

 

[gixxerific]

Never done it. But I will tell you probably what you may have expected to hear if you done research on this. Give it a try and see for yourself. If you have the ability to biwrire give it a shot it can't hurt. Unless your like me and like to burn up recievers. But that's a whole 'nother bag of worms.

Dono

 

[CraigV]

Because of my room setup, rear surrounds don’t come into play. I tried what you’re asking when I had an Onkyo receiver that could be used to bi-amp and a pair of Paradigm speakers that also could be bi-amped. As has been suggested, the only thing you stand to lose is a little of your time & possibly the cost of an extra set of speaker wire, so why not give it a try? The benefit you gain may only be minimal, but once you start adding several minimal steps together (as you suggest you may be doing) the overall benefit become better sound, which is what we‘re all aiming for.

 

[walter duque]

The only thing I can tell you is I have my center speaker bi-amped with 350WattsX2. Do I hear a difference in sound, not much if any. With mains you'll get some improvement (very little). If you have to add more amps I would save the money. I don't think it's worth the investment for that little gain. Since you have your receiver why not check it, you got nothing to loose.

 

[lsiberian]

All I can say is more power never hurts.

I think bi-amping has it's benefits. Though I would only do it in an active crossover setup using an external amp.

Still can't hurt.

 

[walter duque]

All I can say is more power never hurts.

I think bi-amping has it's benefits. Though I would only do it in an active crossover setup using an external amp.

Still can't hurt.

When us use an active crossover with some major power you'll hear and fell the difference. With 130 Watts I just don't think it's worth the trouble.

 

[guitarman]

Because of my room setup, rear surrounds don’t come into play. I tried what you’re asking when I had an Onkyo receiver that could be used to bi-amp and a pair of Paradigm speakers that also could be bi-amped. As has been suggested, the only thing you stand to lose is a little of your time & possibly the cost of an extra set of speaker wire, so why not give it a try? The benefit you gain may only be minimal, but once you start adding several minimal steps together (as you suggest you may be doing) the overall benefit become better sound, which is what we‘re all aiming for.

Thanks, Craig. Am I to infer that your gain was minimal with the Onk/Para experiment?

 

[CraigV]

Thanks, Craig. Am I to infer that your gain was minimal with the Onk/Para experiment?

It was another “layer” of sonic benefit that can come from having decent speaker and interconnect cables, room treatments and such, so yes it was minimal, but with everything else made a difference.