Bi-Amp v. Uneven Speaker Cable Runs (Pass Labs B&W 802D)


Hello - I have a system in my living room where I can not center the equipment in-between the right and left channel (fireplace in the way). The equipment and amp are 5 feet away from the right channel, and about 20 feet away from the left channel. Right now I am running a 30 foot pair of low end Monster Cable to each speaker until I can figure out what I want to do long term. This 30 foot pair gives me about 4-5 feet to spare on the left channel, and 20-23 feet to spare (coiled up) on the right channel. Not ideal in many regards.

Equipment: Classe CP-800, Pass Labs XP-15 Phono, VPI Super Scoutmaster with Lyra Delos, Marantz NA-11S1, Pass Labs X-250.5, B&W 802D, Audio Sensibility Statement SE XLR and RCA cables. 

I am torn between the many options to deal with this, and could use any advice given (or other ideas of course):

Option 1: Pick up another Pass Labs X-250.5 and vertically bi-amp. Run a long XLR to the left channel (25 foot), and a shorter XLR to the right channel (5 foot), and get a shorter set of identical length speaker cables. Am I gaining anything from this? 

Option 2: Run non-identical length speaker cable, 28 foot to the left, and 6 foot to the right. Besides saving money on the right channel cable, I am not having to coil up (or deal with) a massive amount of unneeded extra cable. 

Thoughts?


maxlarson
There have been a number of threads here about the question of equal vs. unequal length speaker cables, with the expectable lack of consensus. My opinions on the subject are stated in my two posts in this thread.

In this specific case what I would be concerned about as being undesirable is utilizing a 28 foot speaker cable in conjunction with a speaker having a very low impedance in the mid and upper bass regions, regardless of whether it is on both channels or just one channel.

Also, my impression (not based on personal experience) is that vertically biamping B&W speakers with identical amplifiers can often be beneficial.

So my feeling is that if the cost is acceptable the best course of action is likely to be option 1.

Also, given John Atkinson’s measurement of "close to 600 ohms across the audioband" for the CP-800’s balanced output impedance, I would suggest that the XLR cables you would use under option 1 be chosen to have low capacitance per unit length. Meaning something like 20 pf per foot or less.

Good luck. Regards,
-- Al

I have been using 2 different length speaker cables for over 10 years.  One is 23 feet long and the other is 8 feet long.  Both myself and my audiophile friends could hear no difference whatsoever.
Option 3: Basically do nothing and leave both cables 30 feet. In the case of the  20-23 feet to spare side, instead of coiling the cable it can be laid in a more optimized fashion.
I anticipated the same exact logistical challenge as our house was being built and used 12 gauge wire certified for in-wall use, ran it through the basement and up to wall plugs near the speaker locations. Put similar wall plugs near the expected equipment rack location. They run roughly 30' long but you only see a few feet of "real" speaker cable from the wall to the speakers. Don't know if you can do the same - have a basement, but if not, I would try using the thickest possible gauge wire for long runs like that. After all this, I got a bunch of flack from my buddies about how much signal I'm losing by using crappy (and very long) speaker wires. So one evening when they were over for a few brews, and with the wife out, I got tired of their harassment and we disconnected the rack and moved it over near and in the middle of the speakers. Hooked everything back up and guess what, no one could tell a difference. Needless to say, everything went back to where they were and no more bugging from the "audiophile" friends. I do admit I don't have super top of the line components so YMMV.