2. amps-preamps
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Using biwired cables on speakers with only 2 connections

I generally have bought biwire speaker cables in the past, and now I have speakers that can't be bi wired.

Is there any problem if I only use two of the four wires and just Cover the other two wires so they don't touch each other. I hate the fact that I bought really expensive speaker cables and now I have this issue.

Do I use the high pass or the low pass LR pair?  Which have been marked this way so I trust there was actually a reason for them doing this and not just cosmetic

Will this impair sonic performance ?

emergingsoul
soix
9,456 posts
 

As others mentioned I’d try using both on the speaker binding posts if possible, then put some electrical tape around one of the cable’s connectors and see what you think, then put electrical tape around the other connectors and check that too.  It’d be an interesting experiment if nothing else, and you may well get your ultimate answer that way.  Best of luck. 

emergingsoul OP
1,128 posts
 

Unfortunately I have banana plugs, so I can't really combine connections to one binding post. Maybe I could cut off the banana plugs and have a raw wire and connect that along with a banana plug connection.

Alternatively, since my amplifier has a 4 and 8 ohm Port, I could reverse the cable and biwre the amplifier Side. Wonder if this makes sense

ghdprentice
6,963 posts
 

Maybe a good time to sell your current speaker wires and upgrade. I would look at it as an opportunity to re-optimize for your new speakers. I have found that my ability to discern sonic differences improves decade by decade and I can get much better match’s for my equipment.

 

While I have not done really careful listening tests… I don’t thing biwiring makes a difference above upgrading the connectors from the stock flat metal connectors. I’ve used to use biwired speaker cables. I now put everything into good mono wire (?) cables. Biamping can make a big difference of course, but that is different.

cousinbillyl
190 posts
 

I love getting myself in trouble🤣. 

Skin effect is real.

You want the high pass connected for sure. The HP run has much thinner wire than the LP. There will be a clarity in the high end you just can't get with the LP section.

The LP section is designed to pass current. Woofers love current. Smearing is not an issue.

Conduct your own experiment: listen for a couple of days with only the HP connected. This will get your ears used to a certain 'sound'. Then switch to the LP only. Use music with a lot of singing. Use only well recorded songs. You will know within minutes.

If there is absolutely no difference, sell the wire. If there's a noticeable difference, now connect both and make a new observation. 

Love this hobby.

I build my own speakers. 4 wires from the amp. 40awg to the tweeter, 36awg to the midrange, 18awg to the midwoofer, and 11.5awg to the woofer. 5 years of experimentation got me to this point. Love being an excessive compulsive.

yodogyodog
14 posts
 

Never seen an 11.5awg wire before 

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