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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
gdhal's avatar
gdhal
1,641 posts
 
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.
kalali's avatar
kalali
1,977 posts
 
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.
mr_hosehead
210 posts
 
You probably already have your answers above - either do basically nothing or just go with your differing speaker wire lengths.  And if you feel you need someone with a little more background to weigh in with their approach...  well, every decade or so I wind up answering something with the link below.  I'd always thought that Roger Russell seemed pretty knowledgeable and did have some level of experience and success in this industry and once I'd read his comments I stopped worrying and obsessing about lots of this and started listening more and focusing on stuff like finding more great source material.

http://www.roger-russell.com/wire/wire.htm
maxlarson OP
3 posts
 
Thank you all - very helpful responses across the board. I am leaning towards vertical bi-amp with a electronic crossover. Appreciate the recommendations!


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