Help Bi-Amping Monitor 60

[rpmccauley]

I'm the proud new owner of a pair of Monitor 60's, but I've got a couple questions. Currently, I am using a Harman/Kardon AVR247 and soon to be a Marantz SR6001. I will mainly use these speakers for music, and occasionally home theater (like 10% of the time). I want to Bi-Amp the Monitor 60's. My questions are regards to hook-up. Can I just use one receiver, in stereo mode to all channels, and take the Front Left/Right to the high side of the Left/Right Monitor 60's terminals and then for other terminals just take the surround Left/Right and run them to the low side terminals? Again, this is for music, I don't need them much for home theater.

Opinions?

ALSO, I want to properly break in my new Monitor 60's, How would you recommend to do so?

[wutadumsn23]

Congrats on the 60's, they are a very good entry into the speaker world. If I understand your post correctly you are looking to Bi-Amp your speakers with your AVR? If that is what you are aiming for then here is how you do it. Use the Front L/R terminals on your AVR and connect them to the top binding posts on your speakers(mid/tweeter), and connect the Surround Back L/R channel to the bottom binding posts on your speakers (woofer). Make sure you set your speaker options to "Bi-Amp" too. One thing though, don't be expecting a major diff. in sound quality. While some people have said they notice a diff. IMHO it isn't worth the cost of the extra speaker wire. Your AVR only has so much power to give to all the channels from one power source and it isn't going to magically double the amout of power going to the speakers by hooking them up to the unused terminals on your AVR. Give it a shot though if you want, it can't hurt to try right? As for break in, just use the speakers, but don't abuse them. Keep the volume at a reasonable level and enjoy them. Welcome to Club Polk.

-Jeff

[rpmccauley]

when you say to connect the speakers to Bi-Amp, you mean to remove the gold metal post that connects the low/high togethter correct?

I hooked them up exactly like what you said yesterday but I didn't really notice a different in quality or sound level, which I thought was wierd. I am really unimpressed with bi-amping, after everything I had heard I thought it would atleast increase the sound level. Oh well, not a big deal, they still sound great.

[wutadumsn23]

when you say to connect the speakers to Bi-Amp, you mean to remove the gold metal post that connects the low/high togethter correct?

I hooked them up exactly like what you said yesterday but I didn't really notice a different in quality or sound level, which I thought was wierd. I am really unimpressed with bi-amping, after everything I had heard I thought it would atleast increase the sound level. Oh well, not a big deal, they still sound great.

Yes, you have to remove the stock metal jumper. As for Bi-Amping with an AVR I am not surprised that you didn't hear much of a diff. since you are using the same power source in your AVR to power all the channels. Not worth the cost of the extra speaker wire IMHO.

[rpmccauley]

what if I used the Marantz SR6001? that has discrete power

[tonyb]

Not worth it in my opinion.Though the 60's are a decent speaker,you need another amp,more wires,and the benefit will be little compared to the cost.The 60's are easy to drive and any avr will work with them,thats what they were designed for.Save the bi-amping when you move up the food chain.