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For speakers which can accept 2 amps (4 speaker posts) what is the generally accepted fact as to the set-up which yields the best sound. Is it using 2 monoblock amps to power each speaker or is it using 2 amps which are 2 channel each and having each amp power the "lower" set of speaker posts in both speakers and doing the same with the other 2 channel amp for the "upper" set of speaker posts. Sorry if I don't have the lingo down exact. Your guidance will help me determine what equipment to purchase next. Thank you.

There is no "generally accepted fact" as to what is best. All that is needed is supplying adequate clean power to the speaker and there are many ways to do that, some simple, some complex. That aside, many will profess preferences that may or may not be justifiable.

Kal

This is a question that has been debated for quite some time with no definitive answer. The method you have inquired about is considered "passive" biwiring or biamping, with the results considered dubious at best by many. Then again there are those who swear by the improvements and only you can be the judge of what you hear. It is basically considered, that if you have the extra amp sitting around gathering dust, why not biamp, it will only cost you the added expense of speaker cables. But the added expense of purchasing an additional amp and cables for the purpose of "passive" biamplification generally does not render the sonic rewards for the cost of the investment. "Active" biamping (which is considered true biamping) is a completly different approach, however your speakers need to be properly wired for this approach, and an external crossover needs to be employed between the pre and power amps. This is now getting very costly but there are many who swear by its sonic rewards. Then again, there are still the nay-sayers who claim the improvements don't justify the investment.

RG

Kal and Rgibran are right. The results can be all over the place. The fun can be if you decided to do this on a good 2-way speaker system and use a tube amp for the highs and a good solid state amp for the woofer that had a high damping factor to keep the bass tight. It can be nothing more that just another "tweek" to try, ie different connecting cables and speaker wire. I don't know if I would be so quick to run out and buy new amps just to try it. If you had some spare amps around it might be fun for you to try. I would not believe that the overall sound would be much different if both amps were solid state, pretty much Kal's point.

This is a valid question, but not easy to answer as a rule.

There are benefits to using monoblocks such as flexibility, seperate power supplies, shorter speaker cable runs, power capacity and the like. However, the quality of the products will always be in play.

If you need lots of power, the ability to bridge the monoblocks to increase power is a big plus, but a well designed single amp that offers the sound quality that you find appealing and that matches your preamp could just as easily produce top notch sound.

The safe bet would be to buy an amp that can go both ways and that offers the sound you like and then audition a second amp after you become familiar with your sound. On the other hand, if money were no object and I found an amp that I really liked, I wouldn't hesitate to buy two and go the monoblock route, but I would have to like the amp in the first place.

You should be able to benefit from having seperate power supplies and shorter cable runs.

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Thank you everyone for the responses. Let me then ask the question this way. Since I am moving from a receiver to separates and don't actually own the equipment yet is there any difference between using two monoblocks (one for each speaker) or a similarly rated 2 channel amp to drive both speakers. Cost not being the primary concern here but rather quality of sound. Thank you again.

Frankly, I'd suggest two monoblocs, one for each speaker but no bi-amping. Get the best sounding, most powerful amps and enjoy the music.

Kal

All good advice. Make sure the mono blocks are the same model ( same gain) for each speaker. You do not want to have gain mismatch problems for the highs and the lows. If the amps have input attenuators it will help you get the overall balance of sound you are looking for. The attenuators may alter the sound ever so slightly, but may be necessary for the tonal balance you are looking for. An old guy with hearing loss, like me, may want to run the tweeters a little hotter to make up for all my time on rifle ranges while in the military. The little Channel Islands recently reviewed might make an interesting choice with their very good sound and small foot print. Parasound and others make some very interesting choices as well. Your copy of recommened components will come in handy.