BI WIRE EXPERIENCE DARK SIDE

Thanks, Al.

I use a pair of 4Ω KEF Reference 107/2 mains, double bi-wired to a Proceed HPA-3 amp. I expect delivery of a pair of LS50s for use as surrounds, but it requires a bit of carpentry to remove the existing 102 surrounds. In the meantime, I wondered about connecting the 8Ω LS50s to the cable that now goes to MF/HF terminals of the 107/2s for a trial. The amp is 500 watts/channel into 4Ω, 250 into 8Ω. Could I damage anything at fairly low sound levels with such a mix of impedances?

db

DB, the only way I can envision that causing any damage, especially given that you will be keeping the volume low, would be if the amp happened to be on the verge of failing anyway, and doing that would put it over the edge.

I wouldn't totally rule out the possibility, though, that the amp's short circuit protection mechanisms, as mentioned in the manual, might interpret the combined loads as being a short, and shut down the amp. I say that in particular because the impedance curve of the LS50, as shown here, dips to 4 ohms around 200 Hz. So the combined impedances would be seen by the amp as about 2 ohms around that frequency. The fact that you would be connecting to the MF/HF terminals of the mains doesn't change that.

My guess, though, is that there would be no problem at all.

Regards,
-- Al

To glean the greatest benefit from bi-wiring, the speakers's crossover should be designed for it....if not, using a double run of speaker cable will still give you positive results...this is called Shotgun. For the best wire to use, shy away from cable that is manufactured with 2 inputs on one end and 4 to be connected to the speaker...use seperate wires.