Bi-amping ADS L-1590 or L-1290

I have a spare pair of 1290s. I have bi-wired and bi-amped them without an external crossover. I used the internal bi-amp switch and I thought they sounded great. Maybe they could sound better with an external crossover but I never felt the need to try one. Even though I have the 1290s as a spare set, I will probably never get rid of these speakers. I would maybe trade them in for a nice pair of 1590s.

I may try bi-amping w/out the crossover just for the heck of it until I can pick up an external one. However, dont you risk damaging the speakers or at least ruining the sound by sending the full frequency to all the speakers? From what I gather, selecting the bi-amp switch in the back disables the internal crossover, which is why you need an external one to properly bi-amp them.

ADS actually made an electronic crossover for the 1230/1530/2030, called the C2000 Biamp Control. As per an ADS bulletin, it can also be modified quite easily to work with the 1290/1590. I have owned several of them over the years, as I own a pair of 1530's and 1590's. The main difference I noticed in biamping was additional bass output, and not much else. I now use Velodyne 1500R subs with each pair, and find this preferable to the added expense of an extra amp and cabling. Occasionally a C2000 will appear here on the 'Gon and on Ebay. If you should consider this, and want to know how to make the mods to work with your speaker, I have the info on how to do it.

There is also an electronic crossover that Bryston makes that could also work quite well. It has adjustable crossover points and should match up well.

A real must-do, tho, is to make sure you use identical amps-it will make balancing everything a much easier task. I also tried a pair of PA-1's, and wasn't impressed at all with them. The bass wasn't that great, and power seemed to be limited if you like to play them loud.

And last of all, good luck! You have a great speaker!!!

If you go without the crossover, the biamp switch gives you direct woofer input, but the midrange and tweeter are still protected by the crossover.
I had tried mine biwired, and the woofer does play some of the highs,sounding a little bright for me.
Mine are not being used at the moment either, but I have had them since '85, and when i hook them up they still sound great.( Still have the owners manual. for crossover info etc.)

Thanks for all the imput. I may experiment down the road when I replace my integrated amp with a seperate pre and amp as I cannot hook an external crossover network to that as of now. They are great sounding speakers nonetheless and mighty enough on their own without the bi-amp for my room for now.