2. amps-preamps
  3. 1351128280

Recommendations for balancing gain in bi-amp setup

I've been trying to calibrate my setup where I have
PS PWD Dac-> Joules Electra LA150 MKII pre -> Celestion 6000 crossover (treble, mids)-> Ampzilla 2000 MKII -> Celestion sl600 monitor ; Celestion 6000 crossover (bass) -> Mccormick DNA 500 ->Celestion 6000 subs.

The Celestion 6000 is a monitor/sub configuration and requires bi-amping. Both the monitor and sub have low sensitivity, ~84db and power handling up to 100W@8ohm. These are hard speakers to drive but I felt my Ampzilla and Mccormick combo should be up to the task.

My challenge right now is that even though the Mccormick DNA 500 which I'm using to drive the bass is rated at 500w@8ohm output and the Ampzilla is rated at 300W@8ohm. I'm still finding the bass playback from this setup is light and thin
or put it another way that the highs/mids are too bright.

My theory for now is that this may be due to the different sensitivity of the amps and I'm trying to avoid throwing another component in the mix like a equalizer to sync this.

Would like recommendations from anyone who has face such gain/sensitivity challenges before when bi-amping.

Gerald
geraldedison
kr4's avatar
kr4
3,662 posts
 
The output power (real or advertised) has nothing to do with the sensitivity or gain of the amps. There are really only three ways to deal with it:
1. Use identical amps (or ones of identical sensitivity)
2. Use amps which have gain or input sensitivity controls
3. Insert voltage attenuators at the input of the more sensitive amps. (In your case, that seems to be the Ampzilla)

You might also consider getting an AC voltmeter and/or a sound level meter to measure the actual outputs.
almarg's avatar
Ag insider logo xs@2x
almarg
9,670 posts
 
I second all of Kal's comments, except that according to this review the crossover unit includes a level adjustment provision, at least for the subwoofer. Won't that enable you to equalize the gains?

Regards,
-- Al
marakanetz's avatar
marakanetz
5,473 posts
 
I'm lost here since having crossover should give you an ultimate controll over the gain of your amplification devices. You have to get manual on proper setup or get some troubleshooting from the manufacturer itself that is still in the business to help you.
jeffreybehr's avatar
jeffreybehr
805 posts
 
I certainly agree with the question--doesn't the crossover have have gain controls? If so, turn the upper-freq. level down or the lower-freq. level up.

Kr4, re your #1, what the OP might need are amps with equal VOLTAGE GAIN and not equal sensitivity. The latter is almost always stated as Voltage required for rated output. One can calculate Voltage gain from stated sensitivity, but the 2 sensitivity numbers aren't usable by themselves.
.
More to discover