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Idiotic Vertical Biamping Question

I've read a couple of detailed articles on the various kinds of biamping.

I understand vertical biamping to be: amp1 uses left and right outputs to speaker1 (we'll say that's the right speaker); one channel to woofer and one to tweeter; and amp2 does the same, but to the left speaker.

We're assuming a two-way speaker.

Now, I assume that each amp still "thinks" it is sending full-range signals out of both channels. So for amp1, let's say the right output channel feeds the woofer while the left output channel feeds the tweeter. The amp is sending information meant for the left speaker to the tweeter of the right speaker. Same problem occurs in amp2 (but possibly with reversed content going to woofer instead of tweeter, depending on whether the channels are wired identically or in reverse of amp1).

It seems to me this would cause tremendous problems in imaging. So there *must* be something I'm missing; can anyone help me out?

Also, every article I've read discourages bridging stereo amps to make them monoblocks, though the reasons vary. What are your experiences with such a setup? I was specifically thinking of getting another McCormack DNA-.0.5 and having Steve convert both amps to monoblocks, thinking this would be the best performance I could get, but maybe that is not the case?

Thanks for the insight, all.

HC
aggielaw
s7horton
1,077 posts
 
Your explanation of vertical biamping is close. Each channel does send out full range signals. However, when you run a signal to the amp from the pre amp, it's only one channel. You either need two sets of outputs on your preamp, or a "Y" adapter so you can send two line outs of the right channel to amp number one. Does that make sense? I'm not sure if I explained it well or not. In other words, amp number 1 never sees the left channel signal.
eldartford
4,262 posts
 
I object to the term "biamping" when the amps are not fed hi and lo frequency signals from an electronic crossover!! How about "dualamping".

My experience with bridging has been good. When you bridge a stereo amp one channel is using an out of phase signal, which evens out the draw from the DC power supply. One "specmanship" trick of power amp manufacturers is to cite continuous power with both channels driven...and in very small type, if at all "out of phase".
dan_ed
2,451 posts
 
S7horton got it right on the money about sending only one channel to each amp. You either need the y-adapter or two sets of ICs.

I also agree with Eldartford about the effects on the power supplies when running the amps in bridged mode. But you need to remember that you are effectively cutting the load seen by the amp in half when running amps in bridged mode. The effects of pulling more on the power supply from one side vs. the other as with the vertical connections can be compensated for by periodically switching the side that drives the woofers. In my brief experience with bridging I have found that the amps run hotter and it just doesn't sound as good. This is very much dependant on the amps you're using. If the amps can be converted to true monoblocks, then you will probably get good performance from them. Check with the manufacturer of what ever amps you're thinking of using and asked them what they recommend.
aggielaw OP
267 posts
 
Hmmm...I thought if I went to monoblocks one amp would drive each speaker, which then naturally leads to an apparently hotly-contested issue of whether biwiring (two sets of cable connected to the one set of output binding posts on the amp?) would be worthwhile.

Am I missing something?

Thanks again for thoughts and guidance!
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