MMC6500 biamp question

RPGaines04

Hi Everybody:
I'm new to this board, and have a question for the experienced guy out there. Firstly, here's my current setup:
HU: Alpine CDA-9835
4ch amp: Alpine mrv-f345 (75x4 @4ohms RMS)
sub amp: Alpine mrv-f1005 (1000x1 @2ohms RMS)
front speakers :Polk MM6 components
rear speakers: Polk mmc650 coaxials
Subs: 2 mm2124 SVC in a sealed, 1.0ft3 each box

I am planning to replace the MM6 comps with a new set of MMC6500 comps. Since the crossover is set up for it, I think I may bi-amp the MMC6500's. My main question is this: If I change the front comps from single amped to bi-amped, will I hear a substantial increase in volume while retaining clarity? I love the way my components sound, but I want more volume. Also, the manual for the MMC6500 states that the impedance is 4 ohm. Does that mean that each speaker is 8 ohm each, or does the crossover have an effect on the ohm load the amp sees? Thanks in advance, Ryan

black magic

the crossover for the mmc6500 has separate inputs for the tweeters and woofers. both are 4 ohms. There is a switch for single and dual input (ie if you're going to bi-amp them).

If you're using a single channel/amp then you switch it to single and your wires will run from the amp to the tweeter inputs. if you choose to bi-amp them, move the switch to the dual position and run your wires to both the tweeter and woofer inputs.

RPGaines04

^ Actually, I knew that... I downloaded the owner's manual while doing research. I'm still curious if bi-amping them will give me an increase in clear volume over the current 75 watts or not

MacLeod

You wont get much increase in volume. However you will get much more flexibility in tuning the output of your tweeter to better match the mid so you will eventually get better sound than you have now with straight wiring.

RPGaines04

Thanks MacLeod, that's esentially what i was trying to find out. Here's another question - Should I swap out my current mm6's in favor of the mmc6500's, or should I eliminate the passive crossovers and just go active on the set of MM6's? Given the flexibility of the headunit and the digital crossovers in the mrv-f345, I think i can set the points properly. I guess I'm looking for an educated opinion on this one.

MacLeod

Get the MMC6500's and go active.

RPGaines04

MacLeod wrote: »

Get the MMC6500's and go active.[/QUOTE

Thanks, I think that's what I will do. I will have to set the crossover on the 9835 to 3 way... Any ideas on where I should set the crossover points and the slope? It allows almost infinite adjustment on crossover frequency, and also allows for slope adjustment in 6db increments from flat to 24db. Since this is new territory for me, I don't want to fry anything.

bizza

RPGaines04 wrote: »

MacLeod wrote: »

Get the MMC6500's and go active.[/QUOTE

Thanks, I think that's what I will do. I will have to set the crossover on the 9835 to 3 way... Any ideas on where I should set the crossover points and the slope? It allows almost infinite adjustment on crossover frequency, and also allows for slope adjustment in 6db increments from flat to 24db. Since this is new territory for me, I don't want to fry anything.

My uneducated answer would be to set the high pass filter for the tweeeter @ 3500 Hz, 24db

Bandbass the mid @ 3500, 80Hz

Sub lowpass @ 80Hz

Start off with that and see how it sounds.... then you can continue tuning until you reach a point were you like it....

Thats what I would do at least.

MacLeod

^^ yup

Thats a good starting point and you can fine tune from there. My SR's are currently crossed at 5 KHz @ 12 db. Im using a shallower slope because my mids are low and forward in the doors firing 90 degrees off axis and my tweets are in the dash firing straight up. By using the 12 db slope, it let them blend better with each other and raised my stage a couple inches. And who couldnt use a couple extra inches!