Bi-Wire Speaker Cable Question - Can They Be Used As Standard Speaker Cables Without A Problem?

[Shimei]

I bi-wired my Tektons just because I had the wire laying around. Before I installed my system I ordered a few rolls of KnuKonceptz Kord Kable 10 Gauge Copper Speaker Wire [heavy].  I spliced two pairs of wire at the amp and soldered using high content silver solder so there's one positive and one negative on one end and then four on the opposite. Then just to be cool and go overkill I installed a bridge at the end [essentially bridged at both ends]. Should be more than I'll ever need to drive 600 watts rms for six feet of length.

 

I do recommend this wire if anyone is interested: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0076SFE9Q/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[Shimei]

3 hours ago, Kal Rubinson said:

So you have effectively doubled-up on the wiregauge and negated the "bi-wire" paradigm.  What was your intent?

 

Yes, that is correct, I essentially doubled up on the wire gauge. As far as straying from the "bi-wire" paradigm does it matter on what end the bridge exists or if two bridges exists one on either end? I don't think so and noticed no difference using the bi-wire configuration. Since I had the extra wire laying around I decided to use it. 

[Shimei]

7 minutes ago, The Computer Audiophile said:

Technically bi-wire means two separate runs of wires. By connecting the binding posts at your speaker, you are negating the bi-wire. 

 

 

You should have two connections at the amp and two connections at the speaker, with nothing connecting the two separate connections. 

Should, but eh, consider it the path to least resistance should some occur. The sound is much "warmer" now with the jumper, I can hear the difference!!! J/king, I'm not serious at all. I agree that with the jumper this is no longer a bi-wire setup. Two separate runs of wire whether connected at the same binding post of the amp or at the speaker...... given the gauge of the wire is sufficient with one pair in contrasts to half as sufficient which necessitates two pair I really don't think it makes a difference. 

 

I consider it a conversation piece now! 

 

Enjoy,

William

[Shimei]

I had truly used a bi-wire setup at first with these pictured cables. The Tekton towers, however, are not internally configured at the binding posts of the towers [2 pair] for bi-amp but bi-wire. I kid you not, I went backwards using the below pictured cables. The wire gauge is thin [14 or 16 gauge] in comparison to the two pairs of 10 gauge wire I cut, soldered, and used in their place. 

 

[Shimei]

13 minutes ago, Kal Rubinson said:

It sure is.

 

[Shimei]

15 minutes ago, audiobomber said:

With biwiring, the high and low frequency signal paths are separated. This is claimed to reduce Intermodulation Distortion. I've also heard biwiring prevents high powered lows from swamping delicate highs, which sounds to me like a layman description of IM.

 

If you can't hear the difference, I guess it's academic. I have never tried your unusual connection method. I do hear differences between biwire and single run. 

 

As a conversation piece I'm actually curious about a hypothetical scenario pertaining to the bridge at the speaker binding post. Say, the wiring of one pair ends up becoming "overloaded" and the resulting resistance increases more than that of the jumper or bridge leading to the other pair of wires. Would there be an undesirable "oscillation" between the pairs of speaker wires because of the jumper? Or might that be actually desirable? I guess this scenario assumes that one pair of wires might increase in resistance over the other and of course exceeding the resistance of the bridge. Just wondering whether oscillation might ever be a concern?

 

I personally do not think the bridge is a concern and the resistance of the bridge itself probably prevents itself from being the path taken. That is, if electrical current takes the path of least resistance the very jumper probably acts to keep the pairs of wires segregated unless the above scenario were to occur. Electricity acting like water taking the path of least resistance or seeking out the lowest level. 

[Shimei]

1 minute ago, audiobomber said:

I don't know the answer, but I would not be comfortable connecting this way. I've never heard it recommended, and never heard of anyone wiring their system like this. It may be perfectly benign, but on the possibility that there is some reason not to do it, I would stay with the tried and true biwire connection. 

 

 

Current always takes the path of least resistance, but in proportion to the resistance. IOW, some current will flow in each leg according to the formula for parallel resistances:

I_T = I_R1 + I_R2

 

 

 

Hey audiobomber, 

 

Nice to meet you bro and I've enjoyed our casual chat. 

 

I agree with you totally.