Tributaries speaker wire

[Big Daddy]

I have done bi-amping and bi-wiring for many years on multiple speakers with amplifiers and receivers from cheap to relatively high-end. Many years ago, we tried this in a laboraotry with an oscilloscope. Even the effect of bi-amping is not that significant. To claim that bi-wiring makes a significant effect is contrary to many scientific principles. You can hear what you want to hear and I can't dispute that. I can claim that my speakers perform better on rainy days and you won't be able to dispute that claim.

In many cases, moving your head a few inches to the left, right, back, and forward can have more of a significant effect on sound than either bi-wiring or bi-amping. Different experiments have been conducted at the National Research Council of Canada, Real Traps, and Harmon International to measure the frequency response of the same speakers in a room inch by inch. Surprisingly, they found a significant differece in frequency response of the same speakers because of comb filtering. It is quite common to claim that you heard changes in sound as a result of changes in cables or a tweak, but in reality all it is the effect comb filtering.

Read Part I and II of bi-wiring study by Audioholics.

Part I:
http://www.audioholics.com/education...to-loudspeaker

Part II:
http://www.audioholics.com/education...able-conundrum

Axiom reached the same conclusion.

http://www.axiomaudio.com/tips_biwir..._biamping.html

[naturephoto1]

Originally Posted by richteer

Interesting you should say that so unequivically. Many moons ago, I read about this bi-wiring nonsense. Being an open-minded sceptic, I decided to give it a try. So I modified my speakers for bi-wiring (cut the appropriate tracks in the crossover and installed an extra set of binding posts), and gave it a try. I expected to hear aboslutely no difference. None. So imagine my surprise when I did hear an improvement, one that was repeatable (by switching between one set of binding posts and two).

I guess my Tannoy Mercury Mk 2s weren't "quality speakers with well-made crossovers"...

With all respect (and you are due a lot!), I believe my ears over what over people tell me I should or shouldn't be able to hear. If I can explain why I hear what I hear, so much the better. But the inability to explain something doesn't invalidate the observation.

BTW, I'm not asserting that bi-wiring will always produce an improvement in sound quality. What I am asserting is that it can result in a sound quality improvement.

Hi Rich,

I had a 2nd set of binding posts put into my Dahlquist DQ-10s in about 1994. As far as I could tell there was also an improvement in the performance of the speakers when this was accomplished and running a usual bi-wire set with 1 set of terminations at the speaker end a 2 pair of terminations for the speaker end.

When I totally rebuilt the Dahlquist DQ-10 speakers, about 5 years ago, the speakers were basically gutted, changed all drives, crossover parts, wiring, and 2 sets of binding posts. Again as far as I can tell I have heard improved performance by doing so and presently with 2 sets of cables as a bi-wire set. And yes I also run 2 sets of speaker cables to my Nola Center Channel speaker.

I intend to run 2 sets of speakers to all of my speakers (all 5 or 7) in my home theater in my new home.

And, as in Rich's case, no disrespect to Big Daddy on this issue but for myself, I am trying to eek every little bit of performance out of my speakers. The improvement may not be significant, but as far as I can tell with the speakers that I have, I believe that there is some improvement in performance.

Rich

[Big Daddy]

Originally Posted by naturephoto1

And, as in Rich's case, no disrespect to Big Daddy on this issue.

It is never personal with me. I have to state what I believe and is supported by scientific evidence. Please read my previous post.

[naturephoto1]

Originally Posted by Big Daddy

It is never personal with me. I have to state what I believe and is supported by scientific evidence. Please read my previous post.

Hi Big Daddy,

I did read your post. But, when you responded to my posting I was making a revision to my post in the last paragraph:

Originally Posted by naturephoto1

And, as in Rich's case, no disrespect to Big Daddy on this issue but for myself, I am trying to eek every little bit of performance out of my speakers. The improvement may not be significant, but as far as I can tell with the speakers that I have, I believe that there is some improvement in performance.

Rich

Rich

[richteer]

Originally Posted by Big Daddy

In many cases, moving your head a few inches to the left, right, back, and forward can have more of a significant effect on sound than either bi-wiring or bi-amping. Different experiments have been conducted at the National Research Council of Canada, Real Traps, and Harmon International to measure the frequency response of the same speakers in a room inch by inch. Surprisingly, they found a significant differece in frequency response of the same speakers because of comb filtering. It is quite common to claim that you heard changes in sound as a result of changes in cables or a tweak, but in reality all it is the effect comb filtering.

Comb filtering is a real phenomenom, but it doesn't explain to me why I can get repeatable results, with the speakers in the same position both times. Yes my head's position will change slightly, but I hear the effect regardless.

I wonder, how do these different respected studies explain differences in soundstaging, even amongst speakers with very similar frequency responses?

[FreddieFerric]

Originally Posted by sokrman14

I will definitely keep you guys updated. I agree, the more we know, the less people buy crappy stuff.

Take a look at the last pictures in my audio room gallery if you want to see what the Valab 4x4 bi-wire speaker cables look like. As Rich said, I've been using them for several months now and immediately noticed a significant improvement upon installing them. They are also very solidly made and quite heavy for speaker cable. Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

[sokrman14]

They are a great looking cable, however I decided to go with 2 pairs of tributaries series 7 cables. I just opted to not do biwire cables, so that I can adequately bi amp my speakers. I will still review on them though.