Bi-Amping VR 4SR

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Ian Davey

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Bi-Amping VR 4SR
« on: 26 Feb 2025, 04:10 am »
Hi Everyone,

I have read with interest the posts around bi-amping Von Schweikert speakers. It is something I have been attempting to do for several years (that is a whole other story).

I am currently running VR 4SR speakers with Manly Neo Classic 250 Mono Blocks. I want to bi-amp to Manley 300B mono blocks for the mid and upper and keep the Manley 250's to drive base. My question is, will the 300 B's, at 12 watts output (parallel single ended), give enough power to drive the mid/upper range. Does anyone have any experience with lower wattage amplifiers with VS 4SR's.

regards
Ian

richidoo

Re: Bi-Amping VR 4SR
« Reply #1 on: 27 Feb 2025, 07:25 pm »
Biamping with sonically different amps usually doesn't sound as good as you would think. Even with the same kind of amps the advantage of biamping has more to do with improved power delivery compared to a lower powered amp that struggles with the bass and audible distortion heard in the top section. Your 250s have plenty of power so technically, imo, you don't need to biamp and it will sound better with one amp full range.

Jumpers can have a huge effect on the sound and people can mistake "biamping advantage" when they also got rid of the stock jumpers with better speaker cables. So make sure jumpers are not holding you back. OEM jumpers often not as good as the rest of the speaker. Must be pure copper or better. Also experiment with speaker cable connections: +/- both on bass, both on top, or split top and bottom both ways. It really does make a difference, even with excellent jumpers.


WGH

Re: Bi-Amping VR 4SR
« Reply #2 on: 27 Feb 2025, 08:27 pm »
OEM jumpers often not as good as the rest of the speaker. Must be pure copper or better.

I got a smoother, cleaner sound by replacing the chrome plated jumpers in my previous Von Schweikert VR2 speakers. I used 3-5" lengths of 18 gauge copper wire from Radio Shack braided together, but any wire will work.




I also bi-wired the speakers, this was a long time ago before I knew better. Now I know not to mix brands. My current speakers are still bi-wired but using a double run of Kimber Kable. A single run of Kimber 4VS attenuated the bass. The 4VS has an aggregate wire size of 13 AWG, a double run has an aggregate wire size of 10 AWG, which is the sweet spot




If you are not bi-wiring I recommend the GR Research 24 strand DIY cable with jumpers made from the same cable. You will be surprised by the difference it makes.
https://gr-research.com/product/24-strand-diy-audiophile-speaker-cable/