Quote:
Originally Posted by veindoc
It was done by Ciamara at NY audio show but set up and x-over was required to get it seamless
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Hi everyone,
I'd just like to correct this. At the New York Audio Show in April 2013, we did not use an external crossover. We showed the TAD Reference 1 speakers with Viola and EMM Labs. We bi-amplified the speakers using a Viola Concerto (their brand new, recently-released amplifier) on the mid/high drivers, and a Viola Symphony on the bass drivers. We gain leveled the amplifiers to ensure +26dB from both amps.
The TAD R1s have two sets of binding posts, which are designed for bi-wiring or bi-amping. In other words, when sending full-range audio into either set of binding posts, the passive crossover network inside the speaker does the crossing over. Although it is possible to bypass the passive crossover networks (which would require opening the speakers and feeding signals directly to each driver), it is not necessary to achieve superb sound.
The benefit of using two amplifiers is that imaging is more precise and controlled. There is also less distortion with an 8 Ohm load (bi-amped) vs. a 4 Ohm (single-amped) load, and in general, separation between frequencies is better. Ciamara recommends this when the budget allows, or if a client wants to use tube amplifiers. TAD speakers (in particular, the CR1s) require a lot of power, so most tube amplifiers are incapable of driving them properly. In this case, it is possible to use tubes on the mid/high drivers and solid state on the bass drivers. But, gain leveling and impedance matching is important. This is why we designed a specialized solid state amplifier to address this application.