AV receivers are becoming more and more advanced and therefore offer more and more connection options for speakers. In this article we look at the What is the bi-amping and bi-wiring option of AV receivers and speakers. However, this feature will not be of interest to most consumers.
The bi-amp and bi-wiring functions are advanced options for connecting speakers to your AV receiver . The speakers, usually the stereo speakers on the front, must be able to handle this, something you can see from a double ‘+’ and ‘-‘ terminal on the speaker. This separates the bass and treble from each other. The two functions are often used interchangeably, but there is a slight difference.
Bi-wiring
Bi-wiring is technically the connection of two cables to one speaker output, so two cables to the ‘-‘ and two to the ‘+’ output for both your left and right speaker. So four cables go to each speaker. The loudspeaker itself, provided it has a crossover filter, then separates the low and high tones. The advantage of this way of connection, according to some, is the wider range in the low and high tones, and a wider sound field in its entirety. The disadvantage is that you need double sets of cables, cables have to be executed twice (high inductance value) and you also need banana plugs to connect the cables to the receiver.
What is Bi-amping
Bi-amping is a feature that is a lot easier to explain and use. The same applies to the speakers; these must be equipped with dual terminals, just as with bi-wiring. The receiver, on the other hand, is equipped with a bi-wiring function that can send the high and low signals separately (and amplified) to the speakers. You can see this by the text bi-amp at the connections on the back. The receiver has four connections for each front speaker, two ‘-‘ terminals and two ‘+’ terminals. Bi-aming can also improve sound quality in the same way as bi-wiring. Of course you also need an extra set of speaker cables for this, but connecting it is easier.
pay attention
With both options, make sure that you remove the so-called ‘bridges’ between the four terminals on the speakers. You only use this when the speakers are connected normally and you only use two terminals.
Bi-amping or bi-wiring?
For the average home theater fan, if you want to use it, bi-amping will be the best option. It is simpler and the amplifier is loaded less because each output only needs to amplify part of it. It must be said that there are quite a few differences of opinion about the added value of bi-amping and bi-wiring. One thinks it is purely a marketing talk, the other swears by it. The only way to draw your own conclusion is to listen to the difference. If there is little or no difference, the extra investment is probably not worth the money and effort.
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