Bi-Amp capable components: Will this work?

GiODi · 05-30-2006, 04:42 PM

I have a set of Boston Acoustics 6.43 3-way component speakers. The crossover it came with is capable of being powered by two amps...it has inputs for a lowpass and a high pass on each one. The speakers are rated at 4 ohms, would it be possible to wire each crossover in parallel to achieve a 2-ohm load? If not is there any benefit to using the bi-amp feature? I am having trouble finding a 100W X 2 amp for cheap. The speakers are 90 watt rms I believe.

joego · 05-30-2006, 09:42 PM

If the speakers can only handle 90 watt rms why do you want 100?

I'm not sure of your setup or anything but the way I understand it you can wire two crossovers for a 2 ohm load but then you will only get one channel out of it (not stereo). Also most amps will make a lot more power and noise at a greater load, lower impendance.

I guess the operative word is cheap for finding a 100x2 amp. Online is the best place to go, at least for me. Markup in my area is pretty gross. That said you should try: www.wooferetc.com www.onlinecarstereo.com or if you're desperate www.crutchfield.com (i'm not even going to link that one)

good luck!

Sidewalksalvage · 05-30-2006, 09:48 PM

Bi-amping, if done properly can create EXCELLENT sound!

However, if it came with a cross over, i think its supposed to be installed with a single input and then the unit splits the signal for each speaker.

Basically im a bit confused with what you have said, you may be looking at it backward.

Can you connect them in parrallel, yes, but that then changes powerhandeling and such.

Can you upload some pics of the units you have so we can get a better idea of whats going on?

Vinister · 05-30-2006, 10:27 PM

The very best way to do it will be to use two 2 channel amps. Use one for high pass left/right and the other for low pass left/right.

It seems unlikely that the entire 3 way set is only rated at 90 watts rms, I wouldn't hesitate one bit powering the set with as much power as you can reasonably afford. A higher power amplifier set to a lower gain setting will usually sound MUCH nicer than a lower powered amp set to a high gain setting.

You could also use a 4 channel. Then you could use the active crossovers on the amp as well if you wish, and keep the low range seperate from the high range.

The benefit of bi-amping is more solid power. The point is to use 2 seperate amplifiers, so that you have 2 seperate power supplies. The intended result is to minimize distortion in the high range when the heavy bass hits - so that the stress of the amp reproducing the bass note doesn't effect the rest of the sound.

more power = more woofer control = tighter, quicker, better sound

instead of thinking of a big amplifer as something thats going to break your speakers, think of it as something that has a really, really good "hold" on your speakers. It is extremly uncommon to break a speaker by overpowering it.

GiODi · 05-30-2006, 11:30 PM

Okay here's a pic of one of the crossover I have. I have 2 of these, one for each speaker. Sorry if I was unclear before, reading through forums all day turns me into a mindless zombie. I used my superb MS Paint skills to make the labels readable. The specs on the box say:

Maximum Music Power – 360 Watts
Peak Input Power – 180 Watts
Continuous Input Power – 90 Watts
Nominal Impedance – 4 ohms
Sensitivity (1 watt/.5 meter) - 95dB
Frequency Response – 50 -22000Jz (+/- 3dB in Car)

I read that at 90 watts RMS. Am I wrong. I wanted a 100 watt amp because I feel that these speakers should be able to handle it, and I listen to a lot of underground music that is sometimes low quality/volume, so the extra power could come in handy. I was looking at these amps:

http://www.ikesound.com/product-product_id/2442
http://www.ikesound.com/product-product_id/4098
http://www.ikesound.com/product-product_id/3601
http://www.ikesound.com/product-product_id/3868
http://www.ikesound.com/product-product_id/4385

As far as using the bi-amping feature, I was hoping to use only one amp, maybe a 4 channel, because I have limited room behind the panels in my trunk. I plan on keeping it as stealth as possible. Thanks for the help guys

Sidewalksalvage · 05-31-2006, 08:57 AM

Ahhh alright i get it now...

I would go with what vinister said,
Have an active crossover spliting basic signal to high and low
This way you have four inputs (High Left, Low Left, High Right, Low Right)
Get a 4ch amp, send two channels each of the two crossovers and then hook it up that way. (I hope that was clear enough)

I think, but not sure, you could also get a 2ch amp, and send the same signal to both the high and low pass input of the two crossovers. I dont think the sound would be as good tho....

Vinister · 05-31-2006, 10:35 AM

thats true you can always just screw the bi-wire and just run one wire to the high input, then also loop it over to the low input.

they'll sound fine.

Sidewalksalvage · 05-31-2006, 09:48 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Vinister

thats true you can always just screw the bi-wire and just run one wire to the high input, then also loop it over to the low input.

they'll sound fine.

Yay i do know something

GiODi · 05-31-2006, 11:30 PM

Thanks... I'll keep that in mind. Having the 2ohm option will make picking an affordable amp a lot easier