[Mazeroth]

Looking to run a 5.1 Polk LSi setup off an Outlaw 7100 7-channel amp. Want to bi-amp the front L+R speakers (LSi15s) off of it, and to do so I think I will need to put an RCA Y-adapter before the input on the amp, then split it off onto one of the rear channels. I will be using Monster Cable M-series RCAs (which I get at 60% from Circuit City for working there) and was wondering if the signal will degrade from doing this, or does it need to be split a few times in order to notice this? If I had to use a Y-adapter I was thinking of going with this one from Monster...

http://www.monstercable.***/productPage.asp?pin=655


Another thing. You think it's worth it to bi-amp the fronts? I think so because I'm sure the top portion runs at 8-ohm and so does the 8" woofer with its own enclosure, which would yield a 4-ohm nominal load if single-amped. They should get 2x100 watts @ 8ohms instead of 1x165 watts at 4-ohm. 35 more watts and I'm sure less distortion.


ANY input is GREATLY appreciated!

 

[tonygeno]

No it will not lose signal strength.


No I don't think it's worth it. Biamping in that configuration (w/o an external crossover) will gain you little or nothing in sound quality. But if you've got the extra channels, you might as well try it.

 

[Warren_G]

RCA level audio is a very low level signal, but it is a higher impedance, making it less affected by trying to distibute it to more than one device. You should not have any problem using y-jacks.


When talking about speaker impedance, you must remember that impedance is reactive, meaning it is affected by frequencies. The crossovers in your speakers will be designed to present an 8 ohm load to your amp across the full audio frequency spectrum. You will only affect impedance if you are connecting more than one driver, or more than one of the same speaker across an amp channel. Biamping will not have a noticeable benefit unless you are electronically crossing over the low frequencies from the hig frequencies. When you run electronic crossovers before the amps, then you remove the unused frequencies before the amplfication occurs, making the amp much more efficient. Clear as mud???

 

[tonygeno]

Well put. But, unless you remove the passive crossovers, true bi-amping (as you describe) becomes problematic.

 

[Mazeroth]

Well me utilizing only 5 of the 7 channels of the amp, is there any way I can put those extra 2 channels to good use? Maybe purchase a passive subwoofer (hopefully dual 4-ohm voice coils) and run the extra 2 channels to that? Would just like to get every watt out of the amp that I could, or would it be better to let the amp run a bit cooler and just run the 5 channels at 4-ohms?


Thanks.

 

[DigitalGriffin]

Mazeroth,


First, by using Y splitter cables will half your current going to each cable, however the voltage will remain relatively unchanged. Since most inputs are voltage source, this really isn't a problem.


Second,


If you are going to use 2 channels of an amp, make sure that amp is bridgeable. If you don't you could cause damage to your speaker and the amp. If the amp was bridgeable it would be listed as such in product literature.

 

[Mazeroth]

If the sub I was hooking it up to was dual voice coil I wouldn't need to bridge the amp. Do any home subs come in dual voice coils that are passive? Or do they mainly make them for car subs for wiring capabilities?

 

[F355]

 http://www.vmpsaudio.com/sub1.htm dual voice coil

 

[Warren_G]

Or just get 2 small subs, each at 4 ohms if you can. I originally used some 15" car subwoofers in home made cabinets in my theater, it worked very well.

 

[Mazeroth]

Hmmm. I have (2) 12" Infinity Kappa Perfect single 4-ohm subwoofers in my car that I was looking to replace with the new MTX 9500 series 12" woofer. They're 350 RMS and 1000 peak, so I doubt the Outlaw could power them well. I've always wanted to make my own home subwoofer, but am afraid that I won't be pleased with the outcome. I custom made my box so each chamber gets 0.82 ft3 of airspace and it sounds AMAZING in my car. SOOO tight. I hear though that cars help compensate for airspace that a room can not and the low end frequencies I can obtain in my car will be harder in my house. Can this be fixed by placing the woofer in a larger enclosure? I know the larger = lower/less output.


As always, any input is appreciated!