What wire config for tri-wired speakers?

The designer of the amp should be able to give some indication but there is a lot of uncertainty because you are dealing with multiple variables. As a general rule though excessive capacitance will increase the likelihood of amplifier oscillation and instability.

The cables based upon two layers of foil are long and effective capacitors. Don't use them in either long runs of speaker cable or in multiple runs where the capacitance will add up. I don't use them period but they are probably safe in short single runs for most amplifiers.

My personal opinion is that either bi wiring or tri-wiring isn't a real cost effective tweak. Especially when you are dealing with expensive designer cables. If you want to see the effects of bi & tri-wiring buy some inexpensive yet well designed speaker cable and give it a try yourself. That way you can make a decision based on first hand experience before spending big dollars on three runs of high dollar cables.

The responses probe the question, is the additional benefit worth the cost? I don't know. Certainly the VR-11's need no more base, as they are adjustable. I am mostly concerned with pace, speed and musicality. I will write to Tenor to inquire if the use of three sets of wires produces a risk to either the amps or the speakers. Secondly, I'll attempt to borrow two pairs of eight foot Jena Pathfinders so that I have three sets to work with. I am open to all possibilities including that it makes no difference at all. Given the room and the equipment, it seems foolish not to go the extra mile to learn if it the multiple wiring matters. What I don't think I can muster is a biwired interconnect to run two amps per speaker.

Bill E

Bill--for the bass use a heavy copper cable--doesn't have to be super-expensive. Use separate runs of the same model wire for the mids and tweeters. Forget the jumpers.

Jacob,

I'm not sure I really understand your comment. I've been lead to believe that it's necessary to use the same length of wire to all parts of the speaker to insure proper timing and capacitance. I would expect wire of different sizes, gauges and types to produce unexpected distortion.

Am I off?

Also, are you suggesting that I dump the fancy cables in lieu of home made?

Bill

You are right Bill, in theory. In a perfect world having everything the same would be ideal, however, we all know nothing is ideal. I highly doubt that any one would be able to hear a difference of a parallel run of 10ga car audio power cable and dreamdancers on the bass. I don't mean to make it seem that black and white, but the human ear simply can't hear the subtle details in the bass region like it can in the midrange and treble. There are many reasons for this, though there is really no need to get into them :)

Resistance isn't much of an issue, in particular with the cables you use! We can do a little testing if you want, I can bring my 6ft valkyre's down- if they will work- and we can see what the deal is. I think you'll be surprised at what you hear, or don't hear. You have to remember that only part of your speaker is active and that part is fully adjustable to compensate for timing, phase and volume. The bass is getting a speaker level input then has to convert it to digital and amplify the signal then convert it back to analog and get it to the speaker(s), and your not having timing/PRaT issues now! I can't see how changing the cables would effect this even in an imperfect world. It sure would be interesting to try different cables I am sure you will get an improvement, but I don't think its worth taking a risk if you can't borrow/demo the cables first.

You know now that I think about it Phil Collins may just sound a little better with dreamdancers on the bass :)