Bi-Amping for Sub-Bass

Is this amp OK?
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chrisj360
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Bi-Amping for Sub-Bass

#1 Post by chrisj360 »

I recently did a wedding with all four of my Tuba 30's. I had another person who I've known in the DJ and local audio community for awhile suggest that I use two amps for my subs. One for the 30/35 to 60 hertz range and another for the remaining 60-90 hertz. Anyone played around with it? Thoughts? Pro's? Con's?

They said it gives them clearer separation and better punch to the upper region, however, I trust this community more than him. I have the amps to do it but curious if it is worth doing? Can't quite wrap my head around how it would benefit things. Would it create more issues at the higher harmonics due to more crossover points?
2 x 21" T30's with Lab12's
2 x 28" T30's with Lab12's
2 x OTop12 with Deltalite 2512

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Bill Fitzmaurice
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Re: Bi-Amping for Sub-Bass

#2 Post by Bill Fitzmaurice »

That's nuts. All you'll accomplish is to reduce your maximum output by 6dB while needing two amps instead of one.

chrisj360
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Re: Bi-Amping for Sub-Bass

#3 Post by chrisj360 »

Thanks Bill. I didn't think it sounded right. If you have a moment, what causes the 6db reduction?
2 x 21" T30's with Lab12's
2 x 28" T30's with Lab12's
2 x OTop12 with Deltalite 2512

Bruce Weldy
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Re: Bi-Amping for Sub-Bass

#4 Post by Bruce Weldy »

chrisj360 wrote: Thu Jul 26, 2018 7:46 pm Thanks Bill. I didn't think it sounded right. If you have a moment, what causes the 6db reduction?
You took away half the subs in both frequency ranges.

6 - T39 3012LF
4 - OT12 2512
1 - T24
1 - SLA Pro
2 - XF210


"A system with a few knobs set up by someone who knows what they are doing is always better than one with a lot of knobs set up by someone who doesn't."

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J_Dunavin
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Re: Bi-Amping for Sub-Bass

#5 Post by J_Dunavin »

I'm trying to figure out, how you would configure that.
Wouldn't you have to have two driveracks, for example?
2 - OTop8
2 - T39
8 - DR200
2 - DR250
9 - T24
6 - T45
1 - Auto Tuba

Bruce Weldy
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Re: Bi-Amping for Sub-Bass

#6 Post by Bruce Weldy »

J_Dunavin wrote: Fri Jul 27, 2018 9:41 am I'm trying to figure out, how you would configure that.
Wouldn't you have to have two driveracks, for example?
Any 3 way crossover does it. So, you can do it with pretty much every driverack except a PX - it's only a two way.

6 - T39 3012LF
4 - OT12 2512
1 - T24
1 - SLA Pro
2 - XF210


"A system with a few knobs set up by someone who knows what they are doing is always better than one with a lot of knobs set up by someone who doesn't."

nick mineau
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Re: Bi-Amping for Sub-Bass

#7 Post by nick mineau »

with the same subs there is no reason to try this, besides loosing output in general, you might even end up with alignment issues, if you can't measure there phase response your not going to know if your coupling in the pass-band. more then likely you wont be.

the only reason i could see for doing this is if you were mixing subs. say you had a super low tuned reflex double 18 to handle 20-40hz, and then a bass horn for the 40-100 range. that way your running the cabs in there sweet spots. but even that would need some decent software like smaart to get the alignment right.

just my opinion

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Bill Fitzmaurice
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Re: Bi-Amping for Sub-Bass

#8 Post by Bill Fitzmaurice »

nick mineau wrote: Wed Jan 23, 2019 12:25 pm the only reason i could see for doing this is if you were mixing subs. say you had a super low tuned reflex double 18 to handle 20-40hz, and then a bass horn for the 40-100 range.
That's not a good reason either, because no one with a clue would have subs with that configuration. If you really need to get down around 25Hz T60 will do the job for pro-sound, THT in home theater, and you can run those to at least 100Hz.

nick mineau
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Re: Bi-Amping for Sub-Bass

#9 Post by nick mineau »

What bill said,
I was giving a example of what I have seen done w some old Vega wanna be horns and double 18 g subs. A t60 would crush that setup by itself tho, so in todays world there really is no point

nick mineau
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Re: Bi-Amping for Sub-Bass

#10 Post by nick mineau »

I didn't say it worked well either lol but it may have worked slightly better then just the g subs...

ACUA
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Re: Bi-Amping for Sub-Bass

#11 Post by ACUA »

Don’t biamp the subs
Advanced Concepts Underground Audio

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