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Who Here is Vertical Bi-Amping?

I recently tried vertical bi-amping and I am very impressed with the results. For the record, I am using “vertical” to refer to using two stereo amplifiers (one amp per speaker) where each amp uses one channel for the midrange/bass driver(s) and the other channel for the tweeter. I am using passive crossovers between the amps and speakers.

My first impression is that there is a noticeable increase in detail and a large reduction in treble harshness at higher listening levels. This makes sense to me because now the tweeter is independent of what the midrange/bass driver is doing. (Technically its “independence” is equal to the channel separation spec of the amplifier.) When the mids call for lots of power which can stress the performance of that channel, the tweeter performance isn’t affected. 

After reading what I could online, I was hesitant to even try vertical bi-amping since I saw lots of mixed reviews on bi-amping in general. I decided I had to try it after reading this post on another forum by Mark Donahue of Sound/mirror Inc. (no affiliation):

“...We have been vertically biamping the speakers here in our mastering studios for 25 years and have yet to find a monoblock that delivers better performance than a pair of stereo amps.
Going back almost 20 years we were looking for a big solid state amp to drive the brand new at the time B&W 801 II. What we found at the time was that the larger monoblock amps from B&W (MPA-810) and Threshold (SA-1000) did not sound nearly as good as the similar stereo amps in a vertical biamp configuration. Every couple of years we would try out the new big monoblock de jour (Krell, Spectral, Cello.....) and every time we found that the stereo sibling of the big monoblock yielded better imaging and lower overall distortion.
Recently we went through the entire routine again. I finally had to retire my five trusty old Threshold S-500 series II due to the need for true balanced inputs. I tried the Classe CAM400 and was underwhelmed with the imaging and clarity. I then replaced them with the (Less Expensive!!) CA-2200 stereo amp and the difference was shocking. Better imaging, better impact and smoother frequency response from my Dunlavy SCV’s.”

I’m very glad I tried it as my system is sounding much better! Does anyone here vertically bi-amp their speakers? If so, what has been your experience and do you find it better/the same/worse than monoblocks, stereo amps, horizontal bi-amping, etc.?
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georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 
I recently tried vertical bi-amping and I am very impressed with the results.

https://www.av2day.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/biamp1.jpg
You’ll get better sounding mids and highs with "horizontal bi-amping", as the amp that serves the mids and highs is often staying in Class-A bias, and because of that is never sounding stressed out going into Class-B trying to do the bass as well.
This leaves the bass to be handled by amps that do bass well, and if the speaker is not too low in impedance (>3ohms) this can be done with Class-D as it’s what they do very well.

https://www.av2day.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/biamp2.jpg
And "vertical Bi-amping" it’s also advantageous, as the whole power supply of one amp can concentrate itself on driving one bass speaker instead of two, therefore not taxing the power supply so much helping the mids and highs also

Cheers George
mrdecibel
3,064 posts
 
For me, ime, vertical bi-amping is the way to go. Horizontal bi-amping, with 2 different amps ( such as tube on top and ss on bottom, or 2 different brands for top and bottom ), usually for me, exposes a disconnect, a lack of coherence, if you will, between top and bottom. I unfortunately, hear the differences, between the 2 different amplifiers ( tone, attack, harmonics, speed, dynamics, etc.). Vertical bi-amping, again ime, keeps things consistent and coherent, in every case. I will say, two lesser amplifiers, being used in a vertically bi-amped situation, often, does not sound as good, as one really awesome amplifier, feeding the speakers, full range. Solo piano, cello, or vocal, makes this easy to hear. Use your ears, try, and determine what works best for you. Enjoy !, and be safe out there. Always, MrD.
millercarbon's avatar
millercarbon
12,531 posts
 
Why stop with bi-amping? The advantages are so great I'm buying 34 amps, one for each of the drivers in my Moabs. I do worry about trying to use one Dayton sub amp to power two subs. Also should the amps be stacked vertically, or horizontally?
oldhvymec
5,101 posts
 
Talk about a spaghetti factory... LOL  MC I got to see the cable job on that one... 

Horizontal bi-amping works great equil loads per rail.
Vertical doesn't. 1 channel uses 200 watts one uses 30. Seems wrong?
When you can match a 200 watt amp for the bass, and a 50 watt (of higher quality) for the mids and highs.

Before the wonderful refinement of class D amps, the room could get cooking. I used 4 565 Adcoms and 2 MC240, with a C20....warmed the whole house, for 10 years in the winter 80-90, now half as hot, and 10 times the bass power, 1/4 the wattage....

WHY VERTICAL.  I see no reason.

Regards
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