newbi questions on bi-wire,

MSALLA

Although I've always had decent equipment, I never got into details.
Can anyone explain a bi-wire set-up and what are the benefits.
I'm just getting into playing with audio systems so I may ask some dumb questions from time to time.

unc2701

Biwire requires that you have speakers with two sets of binding posts on the back. You detach the jumpers connecting these and run two speaker cables from the amp to the speakers- one for the highs and one for the lows.

Most people do not notice any major benefit from biwiring- the biggest benefit is that you double the wire guage, so if you have low impedence speakers and/or long runs, you'll probably hear an improvement.

MSALLA

Do you run both wires from the same outlet on the recevier?

unc2701

yep. works best if you cram both of 'em into some banana plugs, then use those to hook to the receiver. Otherwise it's a nightmare of one or the other falling out while you try to screw down the post.

BTW- I said it wrong, you don't double the wire guage- but you do have a more wire/ less resistance.

McLoki

Originally posted by unc2701
BTW- I said it wrong, you don't double the wire guage- but you do have a more wire/ less resistance.

I think it is wire gauge - 3. i.e. double runs of 16ga. wire = 1 13ga run. double runs of 12 ga wire = 1 9ga run.

Michael