Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Technical Questions bi-amping

This question is for Alan.

I want to bi-amp the M60's, they are rated at 250W. So does this mean that I can look for amps that can are rate up to 250W@4 ohms, or 125W@4 ohms (combined it's 250W)?

Thanks,
Bestboy4

BB, since Alan hasn't had a chance to check in yet, let me first say that my information indicates that bi-amping is of very little benefit in typical home usage. If you do this, there's no problem with using two 250 watt amps. The danger to speakers arises when not enough unclipped power is available from the amps( of course the volume shouldn't be turned up so high that the capacity of the speakers is completely exceeded, but this is unlikely).The speakers will take only the power from the amps that they need, regardless of whether it's a 100 watt amp or a 1,000 watt amp.

Hi Bestboy4,

Thanks, Johnk, for pointing out the dubious benefits of biamping in a domestic setting. I've never been convinced enough of its merits to bother with it on my own systems, because I never detected audible improvements in comparisons I heard.

But don't be concerned about the "maximum power ratings" of the speakers. As Johnk pointed out, the worry is using amplifiers with too little power--and the danger of driving them into clipping distortion--rather than using too much.

You can try biamping if you want. See if you think it improves things. The M60's are reasonably sensitive, and have quite low distortion up to perhaps 100 dB SPL, which is much louder than you should ever listen at in your room for more than a few moments, unless you want long-term hearing damage.

Regards,