2. speakers
  3. 124219-79898

Is This "Bi-Wiring"?

For many years I ran all separate components in a 2 channel system and bi-amped speakers. That system was destroyed in a fire. I am now rebuilding and will start off modestly with a vingtage Luxman R-115 receiver (70w x 2) and set of KEF 105/3 speakers that survived the fire, and add a modern cd or blueray player.  These speakers have the double set of binding posts.  I thought of using both the A and B speaker outputs on the receiver, running one set to the low posts and one set to the upper posts, being sure to keep both speaker switches engaged.  Is this "bi-wiring"?   Is there any benefit to wiring up this way?  Will I substantially dilute the amplifier output (it's ability to properly drive the speakers)  by splitting the signal and running both speakers rather than just coming off the A terminals? 
larstusor
larstusor OP
59 posts
 
"Yup" to what??
czarivey
5,946 posts
 
Yes it will be bi-wiring.
You're basically going to use one output stage of amp for both speaker terminals.
"Yup" It's much easier not not that much of a difference to use one set of output for both terminals either connected with one another with same wire or via jumpers.

larstusor OP
59 posts
 
Is there any appreciable benefit to run from one set of speaker outputs, with a cable that splits from 2  terminal ends at the amp to 4 terminal ends at the speaker, and connect the upper and lower binding posts separately to the one output?  Would that make any difference over using both sets of outputs?  Is their any real reason to "bi-wire" or is it just a way for folks to use both sets of binding posts (when not bi-amping) just because they are there??
kijanki's avatar
kijanki
4,443 posts
 
Bi-wiring connects two sections of the speaker to amplifier using separate wires.  It doesn't matter if it comes from two or 4 posts on amp side - it is the same output.  There are few benefits of biwiring.  Thinner wire can be used for tweeter and thicker for the woofer.  Voltage drop on the cable caused by strong lower frequency currents have no effect on the midrange or tweeter (Xovers are not perfect).  Back EMF from both sections of the speaker is separated by resistance and inductance of both wires and attenuated by the amps low output impedance.  Bi-wiring makes big difference on some speakers and none on the others.  It is perhaps design of xover.
More to discover