Passive bi-amping your X-Ref speakers
Bi-amping is when you use separate amplifiers to power the high-frequency and low-frequency section of each loudspeaker. Most listeners agree that bi-amping produces a significant improvement in sound quality. Because the load on each amplifier is reduced, and both the amplification and the high-current signal paths for the high-frequencies and low-frequencies are kept entirely separate, the result is cleaner sound. The X-Ref series speakers permit passive bi-amping, which means that the passive crossover for each section of the speaker remains in-circuit, and no line-level crossover is required between the preamp and power amps.
Implementing passive bi-amping for one pair of X-Ref speakers requires either two stereo amplifiers or four mono-block amps. For each loudspeaker, remove the
bi-amp terminal links on the input plate (shown in the figures on pages 7 and 16), connect one power amp channel to the high-frequency section, and another to the low-frequency section. Connect both power amp channels for each speaker to the same audio input signal (if the preamp doesn’t have dual outputs, a simple passive splitter can be used).
If four separate mono-block power amps are used, or if two stereo amps are used, it is generally recommended that they all be the same. Other configurations (some using different amps) are possible, but they are beyond the scope of this manual. If you have specific questions about various options, Emotiva Technical Support will be glad to help you.
Caution: Be sure to remove the bi-amp terminal links from the input terminals of the speakers when using your X-Ref speakers in a bi-amplified configuration. Failure to do so will PROBABLY result in damage to one or both amplifiers.
Note: When implementing passive bi-amping on a system with bass management, DO NOT use the bass management feature of your preamp or pre/processor to divide the audio spectrum between your bi-amp power amps; both power amps for each speaker should receive THE SAME AUDIO SIGNAL.
(In a system without a subwoofer, both amps should receive the same full-range signal; in a system with bass management that includes a subwoofer, the subwoofer will receive the low-pass filtered output and BOTH power amp channels for each speaker will receive the same high-pass filtered signal intended for the “main” speaker for that channel).
