Bi-wires or Shotgun with Jumpers

[joe1515]

Hello,

I currently have B&W CM9's and the CMC2 center channel. I am currently running nordost bi-wire cables. My dealer and Nordost both recommended re terminating the bi-wires to shotgun and use the Nordost Bi-wire Jumpers. They believe it will improve the detail and imaging.

Has any one ever tried this? What are your thoughts? I know the best option is to run separate speaker cables for each but I already have cables and do not have the funds to buy twice the speaker cables.

Thanks
Joe

ADMIN PLEASE MOVE THIS THREAD TO CABLES GALORE!!!

[Doug Lax]

Hi Joe,
I would say that that correct in would increase the size of the conductors and lower the resitance and probably give you better sound.... Bi Amping would be the next step up.

[iiaudio]

+1... The bigger the wire, the shorter the distance, the better... to a point.

[mjcmt]

Only way is to try. I don't understand the value of re-terminating your cables to eliminate the bi-wire end and adding jumpers between the hi and low x-over inputs. Just add the jumpers for the same effect.
My impression of true shotgun is to use one cable for each plus and minus input therefore using 4 complete cables for a bi-wire or 2 cables for standard non-biwire. Some cables benefit from shotgunning like Kimber which uses all the same multiple leads in the cable. I don't know what the cable design is on your Nordost is so it may not be a benefit.
Bi-wiring has the advantage isolating interference between high and low drivers. If you want to see if there is an improvement add the jumpers but leave your cables as is.

[joe1515]

Originally Posted by mjcmt

Only way is to try. I don't understand the value of re-terminating your cables to eliminate the bi-wire end and adding jumpers between the hi and low x-over inputs. Just add the jumpers for the same effect.
My impression of true shotgun is to use one cable for each plus and minus input therefore using 4 complete cables for a bi-wire or 2 cables for standard non-biwire. Some cables benefit from shotgunning like Kimber which uses all the same multiple leads in the cable. I don't know what the cable design is on your Nordost is so it may not be a benefit.
Bi-wiring has the advantage isolating interference between high and low drivers. If you want to see if there is an improvement add the jumpers but leave your cables as is.

According to nordost the wires sound better if the are single and not bi-wired. I agree I ultimately have to try and see.

Joe

[djwhog]

Joe that is possible and true, it depends on the speakers driven etc. some are better bi-wired, some bi-amped and others shotgun connected. I have even seen bi-amp shotgun, lots of wire and sometimes is best, but you need to test in your environment.

I do not have your speakers, but I know on my system when I built the speakers they are setup to be run bi-wired by default and I seem to hear little if any diff even when I tested them bi-amped. But a big diff when single wired Vs Bi-wired even with great jumpers.

Good luck and let us know, curious how this come out for you?

[Hammie]

I have not done any extensive tests with multiple cable brands, but I did not notice any difference when I went from single wires with jumpers to bi-wires.

Aesthetically, I like the look of a bi-wire at the speaker end. Additionally, my monoblock amps have two termination points for each lead. Therefore, I am currently running a bi-wire cable with four connectors on each end.

[Anthony]

I biwired my 804D with Nordost Heimdall, a significant upgrade as they really got the speaker cones moving. Previous cable were VanDenHull Breeze which are pretty good, buts its the Heimdall which made the difference in letting the music flow in a controlled way and move those bass cones.
Anthony

[Masterlu]

Anthony.... Welcome to AA!

[chops-tube]

I have often wondered if my system would benefit from bi-wiring the NHT's, or just replacing the stock jumpers with some nice wire jumpers. Honestly, the system sounds pretty darn good as is, but there's always room for improvement.