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Bi-amping using MC207

taylode

taylode

Well-Known Member
I have an MX119 and a MC207 that is only using 5 of the 7 channels. I currently use balanced ICs for the FR/C/FL. What do you think about using the unused FR/C/FL RCA’s on the MX119 to connect up to the remaining two channels on the MC207? Does anyone see any issues with doing that?
 
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It is certainly do-able. Perhaps consider getting an active crossover and do fully balanced active bi-amping?
 
you can't use jumpers to make 400 watts on a channel, but you can use interconnect splitter's then 2 spearate speaker cables to the speaker.
 
misterdoggy1 said:
you can't use jumpers to make 400 watts on a channel, but you can use interconnect splitter's then 2 spearate speaker cables to the speaker.
Click to expand...

Would I need splitters, or could I just use the two RCA jacks that aren't being used? The Martin Logan Ascent's have two sets of binding posts so I was planning to use two sets of speaker cable.
 
I did this with my MX-135. I used the balanced connection for the speaker highs (more detail) and the RCA for the lows. Sounded excellent.
 
YOu have to split the signal coming out from the processor so that the one signal (the same signal) goes to 2 different channels on the Amp. For the Amp it is like it is receiving separate signal to each channel. Then from there one channel for the bass and one for the highs on the speaker. Your speaker must have 4 posts to acheive this. You will have 200 watts for your highs and 200 watts for your bass. This is the only way you can do it with a 207. So splitter.
 
Depends....

If the output levels from the RCA and XLR are not matched (and they're usually not - typically +6dB from balanced XLR compared to unbalanced RCA), and if there is no way to correct this with gain controls on the amp, then one section of your speaker is going to 6dB out of balance compared to the other.

In the case of carlthecat's example, it could be that the difference heard is because the highs are as much as 6dB in elevated signal level above the lows. If you like the sound, fine, but I'm just saying...

Also, for the record, biamping with 2x200 wpc is not anywhere close to the power equivalent of 400wpc amp driving the same speaker.
 
whoaru99 said:
Depends....

If the output levels from the RCA and XLR are not matched (and they're usually not - typically +6dB from balanced XLR compared to unbalanced RCA), and if there is no way to correct this with gain controls on the amp, then one section of your speaker is going to 6dB out of balance compared to the other.

In the case of carlthecat's example, it could be that the difference heard is because the highs are as much as 6dB in elevated signal level above the lows. If you like the sound, fine, but I'm just saying...

Also, for the record, biamping with 2x200 wpc is not anywhere close to the power equivalent of 400wpc amp driving the same speaker.
Click to expand...

This is what I was trying to say. Older Mc Amps can be bridged to get the gain in power. This is like using 2 Amps to drive one speaker.

Even if the amps were 2 mono's you still have to Split the signal out of the processor/preamp which has to be the same signal, not mix rca and xlr as there is a definite gain in the xlr signal of 6db and really shouldn't fool around with cabling to acheive gain.

The analogy would be having the signal go out on 2 cables, but one goes thru another component where you add or lose gain.

IM very HO I think you should keep cabling identical exactly the same when splitting the signal.
 
whoaru99 said:
Depends....

Also, for the record, biamping with 2x200 wpc is not anywhere close to the power equivalent of 400wpc amp driving the same speaker.
Click to expand...

Agreed, but in this case bi-amping only costs me some cabling since I have 2 channels dong nothing. :D
 
misterdoggy1 said:
This is what I was trying to say. Older Mc Amps can be bridged to get the gain in power. This is like using 2 Amps to drive one speaker.

Even if the amps were 2 mono's you still have to Split the signal out of the processor/preamp which has to be the same signal, not mix rca and xlr as there is a definite gain in the xlr signal of 6db and really shouldn't fool around with cabling to acheive gain.

The analogy would be having the signal go out on 2 cables, but one goes thru another component where you add or lose gain.

IM very HO I think you should keep cabling identical exactly the same when splitting the signal.
Click to expand...

Well this will be easy enough to experiment with and go with which ever method sounds the best. Thanks for clarifying why my intended method may not be the right way to go! :thmbsp:
 
Well I went ahead and bi-amped my ML Ascent's and there is a definite improvement with much better bass extension; however, it brings more attention to the hybrid design between panel and cone woofer. Even so it’s definitely an improvement in sound and therefore will stay. At least until I change out my speakers when I move.
 
misterdoggy1 said:
YOu have to split the signal coming out from the processor so that the one signal (the same signal) goes to 2 different channels on the Amp. For the Amp it is like it is receiving separate signal to each channel. Then from there one channel for the bass and one for the highs on the speaker. Your speaker must have 4 posts to acheive this. You will have 200 watts for your highs and 200 watts for your bass. This is the only way you can do it with a 207. So splitter.
Click to expand...

I agree it can be done both ways.

Quick and Easy: RCA and Balanced
Long-Term: Split Balanced (Blue Jeans Cable quoted around $45 for each split balanced cable - need 2 so about $90).

When I experimentally bi-amped, I used the balanced connection for the speaker highs (more detail) and the RCA for the lows. I would have bought split cables is I was going to continue bi-amping. I decided to use the extra 2 channels to drive some speakers out by the pool on Zone B. Sooner or later I am going to buy another amp to drive my mains (either a 352 or 402) and use the extra 4 channels for pool and kitchen area speakers.
 
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