 Why two speaker wire connections?
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Joined: Sep 2005
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OP
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Ok, this may be a basic question, but here goes...
Why are there connections for two sets speaker cables on the back of most of the speakers? Or am I just misunderstanding their use?
Thanks,
Rob
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 Re: Why two speaker wire connections?
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Joined: Jun 2005
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The floorstanding fronts offer this for bi-amping. Basically one set of connections goes to the woofers internally, and the other set to the midranges and tweeters. You could drive them with separate amp channels if wanted. Most don't do this and just use the metal strap that connects both inputs together. But it's there as a feature to offer it, as other high end speakers do.
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Re: Why two speaker wire connections?
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Joined: May 2003
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OK, where'd you get the tivo costume? That's hilarious.
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Re: Why two speaker wire connections?
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Joined: Aug 2004
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axiomite
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axiomite
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The two connections are probably more useful for bi-wiring (one amp, two sets of wires) than bi-amping (two amps, ideally with electronic crossover before the amps), since both sets of terminals still go through the appropriate portions of the crossover.
M60ti, VP180, QS8, M2ti, EP500, PC-Plus 20-39
M5HP, M40ti, Sierra-1
LFR1100 active, ADA1500-4 and -8
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Re: Why two speaker wire connections?
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Joined: May 2003
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shareholder in the making
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Well, they're not really useful for anything, but they provide the ability to do these things if you think they'll help.
I am the Doctor, and THIS... is my SPOON!
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Re: Why two speaker wire connections?
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Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 6,379 Likes: 7
axiomite
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axiomite
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Well said 
M60ti, VP180, QS8, M2ti, EP500, PC-Plus 20-39
M5HP, M40ti, Sierra-1
LFR1100 active, ADA1500-4 and -8
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Re: Why two speaker wire connections?
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Ken,
Well said, indeed!
Regards,
Alan Lofft,
Axiom Resident Expert (Retired)
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Re: Why two speaker wire connections?
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Joined: Jun 2005
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connoisseur
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Thanks. The TiVo costume my wife and I made back in 2002. It was probably the costume that generated the most enthusiasm from everyone.
Yes, I do use them for bi-wiring- just because I am running 4-wires of 14 guage to each speaker. Of course twisting both sets of wire together works just as well. That's what the other end connected to the amp looks like anyways.
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Re: Why two speaker wire connections?
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Joined: Dec 2003
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In reply to:
I am running 4-wires of 14 guage to each speaker.
Which gives you nominally... anyone? You in the back, is your hand up? No, just scratching? Okay... anyone? Eleven? Anyone say eleven? 11 gauge? Okay, next problem...
Bren R.
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Re: Why two speaker wire connections?
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shareholder in the making
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Gauge x 2 = Gauge - 3
Don't ask me, it's new math!
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Re: Why two speaker wire connections?
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Joined: Mar 2005
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axiomite
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axiomite
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Peter, you're making me cry!
That was really funny! LOL! 
***********
"Nothin' up my sleeve. . ." --Bullwinkle J. Moose
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Re: Why two speaker wire connections?
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Joined: Dec 2004
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aficionado
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aficionado
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but where can you get -3 gauge wire? i'm sure Monster makes some...
Who's the more foolish, the fool or the fool who follows him?
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Re: Why two speaker wire connections?
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Joined: Dec 2003
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That would be 0000 wire... good to 300A for transmission.
Also good for building structural members.
Bren R.
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Re: Why two speaker wire connections?
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Joined: Aug 2004
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axiomite
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axiomite
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For anyone who cares :
"This means that in American wire gage every 6 gauge decrease gives a doubling of the wire diameter, and every 3 gauge decrease doubles the wire cross sectional area. Just like dB in signal levels. "
http://www.powerstream.com/Wire_Size.htm
M60ti, VP180, QS8, M2ti, EP500, PC-Plus 20-39
M5HP, M40ti, Sierra-1
LFR1100 active, ADA1500-4 and -8
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Re: Why two speaker wire connections?
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Joined: Jun 2005
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Very interesting Bren and Bridgman. Now I know what I'm getting for the net result. I wish I could say I knew that upfront when I biwired, but I didn't. The only thing I knew for sure was that 2 wires was better than 1. And I had the wires, thought it a shame to leave half of them unused. 
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