Thanks for the welcome and for concurring with my listening impressions.
I do like the additional power that AHB2s provide in mono mode and intend to continue using it in mono mode. However, I am looking for all ways and means to improve the lower frequencies, if I can.
Two that I have found till now:
1. Keep the speaker cable short or move the amplifiers closer to the speakers (not my preferred option - so will try it last if nothing else works)
2. Use vertical passive bi-amping - will appreciate if someone can share their experiences
3. Any advice on other techniques?
I vertical bi-amp my Salon2s with AHB2s and I have a friend who also bi-amps. Another friend bridges the AHB2s to drive the Salon2s because he wants additional output.
The AHB2s have accurate clipping indicators per channel so it is clear when you are clipping. I was surprised that when listening to music and watching movies very loud that my amps were not clipping. I have measured two Salon2s in my room at 2 watts (2.83 volts) into 4 Ohms at 86 dB. 128 watts produces 104 dB which is more than enough for me.
Bi-amping does not waste significant power if you don't use it. Many think that the purpose is to gain power and it does not. From my tests, I get about 1 dB of headroom by bi-amping.
I have performed multiple single-blind tests using using a Single Salon2 (as does Harman) using the following procedure:
- Remove the straps from the Salon2s
- Make a short (about 10") banana plugs patch cord to single amp
- Split the source from your processor using a Y cable (I did not use built-in bi-amping in the AVP to avoid possible side-effect).
- Run both bi-amp output channels to a single Salon2
- Play familiar tracks at -30 that is the mid 80 dB range that is approximately 3 watts on my system
- Working behind the speaker (out of sight), switch between the patch (single amped) and the other channel (bi-amped).
- Take care to not short the unused amp (I had a rug under my speaker that I used for this purpose)
- Play short passages of songs, preferable with J River, Roon, or other streamer to allow quick replay and comparison.
3 of us had no trouble identifying single versus bi-amped.
There is no level matching issue in such a test.
I can only speculate that the reason but it may be that the separation of the crossovers reduces distortion.
Kevin Voecks (of Harman) was attributed on AVR saying the bi-amping may improve clarity.
Of all the tweaks that folks try in their system, this is very inexpensive experiment.
Try it with one speaker, and you need only a XLR splitter cable and a small patch cable.
If you find a benefit in SBTs or not, you will have your answer.
- Rich