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Bi amping my ML SL3 speakers

Few questions for the ones that know the answers :)

If I’d like to bi-amp my speakers how do I know how much power should I send to the woofer and how much to the rest of the speaker ? (for mids and highs)

Currently I am using a Rotel 1582MKII and if I really crank the volume woofers start to distort so I’m thinking this amp is too much power ?

Info on ML site is misleading one place says 80-200 but I also saw 20-400 WPC so which one is it. My rotel amp is rated for 200WPC at 8 Ohms and no 4 ohm rating.....my speakers are 4 Ohms rated

Also I am guessing that the amp dedicated for lows doesn’t have to be as high end as the one for the electrostatic panels ?

 

Last but not least I will need a pre amp that has two sets of pre outs so I can feed same signal into both amps correct ? I really don’t want to get RCA splitters because that defeats the purpose of having a nice set of RCA’s - this question has been resolved thanks to riley804. I will get some but amp cables :)

 

Lots of questions any answers or wisdom is much appreciated !

lehelke3
tablejockey
3,889 posts
 

"I already have a rotel amp that is overpowering the wiofers so I really think I would benefit from bi amping."

The 1st post about overthinking it is what I would agree with.

Your amp isn’t "overpowering the woofers". There isn't anything near 200 watts ever feeding your speaker.

Consider trying a different amp. I use a pair of Theos, and they sound fine through a 70 watt tube amp or a $250 20+ year old SS 80 watt Harman Kardon reciever.

 

 

lehelke3 OP
10 posts
 

Great this is really going to right way, one person says my amp is no good another says replace your speakers :)

I just really needed some help to understand some concepts which I kind of got so I do thank all of you for chiming in !

audphile1's avatar
audphile1
4,920 posts
 

👍

lehelke3 OP
10 posts
 

Try not to jump on the what better train...there is always something better

I would like to make what I have work. If it fails for my ears or I see problems will make the necessary moves. I am open to amp change for now :)

musicaddict
370 posts
 

I bought my SL3s in 1995 and they were my audio only/listening room speakers for 16 years (into home theater as mains after 2011). They are old. If you like the sound, a good suggestion is finding a newer model, used.

I've fiddled with lots of amps and bi-wiring and bi-amping the SL3s over those years. I've run them plenty loud with only 60 watts of solid state. Seems strange the woofers are distorting from the Rotel. Any idea what decibel level distortion starts at and the general frequency area? Low bass, mid bass?   

And, I am sure the Rotel is NOT overpowering your speakers. it may have a low damping factor and woofer control; I don't know.  

I'm now running single-wired mono-block Wyred 4 Sound SX500s on the SL3s with 500w or so into 4ohms and my woofers really 'woke up' when I moved from a mid-level AVR to separates for the five channels. W4S claims damping factor of 2000; I don't know if that mattered but the performance is remarkably better.

A Y splitter is fine for preamplier-out left and right channels. If using different amps be sure the dB gain level's are similar.

 

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