Bi-amp or...

[Rodny Alvarez]

I have a question!, I just dont know, is it better to use an amp with more power to power my speakers or Bi-amp the speakers, I have VR3 boston Acoustics and a Emotiva LPA-1(125 watts x 6)
I can run the LPA-1 6 channel, 125 + 125 on each speaker Bi-amp
If more power is better I will upgrade to the new 5 channel Emotiva (200 watts x 5)

Thanks!!

Hi personally would say bi-amp, 125w per speaker driver is enough power really unless you have a really big room.

Bi- amping with give a smoother and better defined sound.

See how you like the sound bi-amped and then upgrade,
if you can up the power to 200w per driver all the better.

[Sonnie]

I'm going to bi-amp my Ascent i's when I get my NAD T785. It has 7 channels... I plan to reassign those 2 extra channels to the front.

[drdoan]

I would go with bi-amping assuming the ams have great sound, and they do. Dennis

[avaserfi]

DS-21 wrote:

Unless you have dynamic strain issues now, either course will be pointless.

Bi-amping is just buy-amping unless you take the crossover (and EQ functions inherent therein) outboard. And the difference between 125W and 200W is pretty much negligible.

Dead on. There isn't a better way to put it. Also, every doubling of power is equivalent to a 3dB increase so going from 125W to 200W will only add about 2dB of output. Simply not worth it unless like DS-21 said you want to go full active .

[Sonnie]

So is it better to just let those two extra channels do nothing? (This is not a sarcastic question. )

[avaserfi]

Sonnie wrote:

So is it better to just let those two extra channels do nothing? (This is not a sarcastic question. )

If you have them it doesn't hurt to use them, but you won't be gaining much. If you are considering buying a more powerful or new amp for the application the advice is don't .

So I would recommend you do what you want, but tell the OP to save his money and keep the amp he has.

[conchyjoe7]

Kinda off topic...sorry...Sonnie, what happened to the Anthem equipment you were getting? Just curious.
Cheers,
Konky.

[Kal Rubinson]

Sonnie wrote:

So is it better to just let those two extra channels do nothing? (This is not a sarcastic question. )

Definitely. Leaves more of the power supply reserves for the channels in use.

Kal

Hi i would agree keep the amp for the time being and upgrade when the op is ready, but would also say 200-250watt is fine.

I think each of my drivers sees around 200-225watt for the mid bass and sub-bass into 4 ohms via a tri-amp setup and would say they could still do with around 50-100w more, buts thats my preference.

The extra power adds better dynamics, image ,handling of the speakers, extra real loudness and so on.

I once ran some 50watt pioneer mid speakers with a 300w p.a. power amp and they loved it.

Also maybe the op could then use a decent active cross-over as it adds so much, definitely one of the best upgrades for me so far was going active.