Bi-amp or 7.1

[amason]

I have been looking at upgrading my receiver to an onkyo TX-NR905 and when I read the specs, it says I can Bi-amp the front speakers by losing the rear surround speakers. I know my front speakers can be bi-amped. So would it be better to have 7.1 which I currently have the speakers setup or bi-amp the front speaker? Does anyone know how to do both? Thanks

[Squozen]

Go for 7.1. I think bi-amping is snake oil, honestly. Certainly it won't provide any benefit with mass-market receivers such as the 905 (or my Yamaha 3800 which also offers it, with the same downside).

If you really want to bi-amp, run analogue outs to a pair of high-quality stereo amps that will cost as much as a decent receiver themselves.... or just spend the money on a good subwoofer and forget about it.

[Beta Man]

What speakers are we talking about here?

[amason]

Originally Posted by Beta Man

What speakers are we talking about here?

The Klispch F-2 Synergy Series

[dobyblue]

Also important, what speakers are you using for 6th and 7th channels?

[Beta Man]

Originally Posted by dobyblue

Also important, what speakers are you using for 6th and 7th channels?

My next question

[amason]

All my speakers are Klispch Synergy Series, F-2, C-2, S-2 and the 12 inch sub. Thanks for all your help guys!

[dobyblue]

If you have 4 x S2 I'd forego bi-amping.
If you have 2 x S2 then I'd bi-amp before adding a lesser 6th and 7th speaker. (like a little satellite for example)

[Beta Man]

dang.. you're fast!

Also.... how large of a room are we talking about here?

[amason]

Originally Posted by Beta Man

dang.. you're fast!

Also.... how large of a room are we talking about here?

Not as big as I would like for a 7.1. Its about 13ft x 13ft

[dobyblue]

Good question Beta.
(Oh and I have an 8G fibre optic connection at work! )

amason - if you don't have a couple of feet behind your listening area, not much point in 7.1

[nhaase]

Originally Posted by amason

All my speakers are Klispch Synergy Series, F-2, C-2, S-2 and the 12 inch sub. Thanks for all your help guys!

Hey, with the exception of your sub, I'm running the exact same speakers; I have the 10-inch sub. I'm powering them through a Denon 2308CI. I've done some trials with bi-amping, and I do not notice a difference. I may try it again since I have Nine Inch Nails' "Ghosts I-IV" on BD, to see if the high resolution sound will accentuate any difference, but I prefer the 7.1 setup. Since your new rcvr can pump out the 7.1 channels, you will get more benefit from that than w/ bi-amping, even when the rcvr is just upmixing a 5.1 mix to 7.1.

It may be worth your while to see if there are any high-end home theater stores where you live that can demo this for you. If you find one, just remember to compare their equipment with what you have. As a previous poster said, I think very high-end equip is needed to notice any difference.

If you have any other questions with your speakers, let me know. I fiddle with mine all the time.

[amason]

Yeah, I have just enough space. Its between 1-2 feet.

[dobyblue]

Some good reading here - http://www.djsociety.org/Bi-Amp.htm

[Woody]

I would do 7.1 in your scenario. All day.

[dobyblue]

Originally Posted by amason

Yeah, I have just enough space. Its between 1-2 feet.

If you have the null field of your speakers pointing at your main listening area, you should be okay.

If you're going with direct radiating, that's too close for my liking.

[richteer]

Originally Posted by Squozen

Go for 7.1. I think bi-amping is snake oil, honestly. Certainly it won't provide any benefit with mass-market receivers such as the 905 (or my Yamaha 3800 which also offers it, with the same downside).

If you really want to bi-amp, run analogue outs to a pair of high-quality stereo amps that will cost as much as a decent receiver themselves.... or just spend the money on a good subwoofer and forget about it.

Bi-amping is most certainly not snake oil, though granted it is of limited benefit to the sort of systems most people here use. With other appropriate components, I'm sure the 905 and 3800 would do a fine job (within their repsective capabilities) of bi-amping.

[amason]

Thanks everyone that posted, you gave me a lot to think about.