Bi Amping: highs and lows or a seperate amp for the left and right.


Terms also used: vertical vs horizontal.

Assumption: same amplifiers

I can see left/right amps to 'free up' power supply for the lows for unused power in the high channel. 

I can see high/low amps for similar frequency handling on both channels. 

Different story obviously when use 2 different amplifiers (thinking along the lines of A/B amp for lows, and tube amp for highs). Then high/low amps is obvious.

And a 'no issue/difference' when using 4 channels of the SAME amp. 

Any comments? Who has compared it? 

kraftwerkturbo

Why would I bridge? And what, the amps? if bridging amps, would need 4 stereo amps then instead of 2. 

The amp is currently driving the speakers without issues, i don't think the impedance changes when splitting low/high? Just that the low will have the low impedance (typically), and the high not anymore. Vertical: one side of the amp low impedance, other side high. Horizontal: one amp only high impedance, the other only low on both channels. 

Distribution of power is determined by arranging vertical vs horizontal. In one setup the stereo amp running the highs sees very low power demand, stereo amp running the lows sees LOTS of power demand. Vs. summetrical (per amp) running 1 amp for one speaker, high channel low power, low channel high power. 

 

Two identical stereo amps run in a vertical bi-amp configuration (one amp on each speaker) have similar advantages as monoblocks...physical separation, no crosstalk, and a dedicated power supply for each speaker. Plus, you can run the tweeters or mids/tweeters from a channel that doesn’t have the burden of driving heavier woofers, which has some benefit too.

Two non-identical amps in a horizontal bi-amp configuration can allow you to do something like dedicating a sweet sounding smaller amp (like a tube amp) on the tweeters or mids/tweeters, and a ballsy solid stage on the bottom. You just need to be able to match levels of the amps.

You can also do a hybrid bi-amp configuration by using monoblocks on the top, and a stereo SS on the bottom.

There are pros and cons to each approach, and every situation is a bit different, so there’s really no one size fits all scenario. In my case, I had two Dynaco/VTA 70 tube amps that are wonderful in the mids and highs, but not quite as authoritative on the bottom end, so I added an integrated SS amp to drive the woofers below 80hz.

 

 

"Plus, you can run the tweeters or mids/tweeters from a channel that doesn’t have the burden of driving heavier woofers, which has some benefit too." Not in vertical. There, the amp's ONE channel is burdened, and typical stereo amps share power supply. THAT would be (to me) the only reason to run HORIZONTAL, keep the heavy lifting in one amp, and easy peasy for mid/high with the other stereo amp.

But as you stated, differences likely minor. And vertical already sees the load on each amp 'halfed', plus crosstalk/separation, etc. Would be sweet to be able to physcially place each stereo amp near the speaker to reduce long speaker wires (and run low voltage signal lines for the distance). Or? 
 

With a vertical stereo bi-amp configuration, there’s still the benefit of the tweeter (and mid) running on a different circuit than the woofer. Even if the power supply is shared by two channels, each channel sees a different circuit load (assuming passive crossover), so the low frequencies aren’t traveling on the tweeter circuit due to the high capacitance from the crossover, so less IM distortion. If the crossover is active, each circuit is still separate, which is better than sharing the circuit.

Depending on other variables, high frequencies drivers are typically easier to drive than a woofer, so put less stress on the outputs and little draw from the PS, which may offer some sonic benefit.