Single-wire connection, Bi-wire connection, Passive bi-amplification – MartinLogan Prodigy User Manual

Page 8: Single-wire connection passive bi-amplification

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RODIGY

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Please take note of the jumper clips installed under the

binding posts. These clips attach the high and low frequency

sections of the crossover together. Leaving these in place,

connect the (+) wire from your amplifier to either red

binding post and the (-) wire from your amplifier to either

black binding post (See Figure 1).

Bi-Wire Connection

This method of connection replaces the jumper clips installed

under the binding posts with individual runs of speaker

wire from your amplifier. This doubles the signal carrying

conductors from the amplifier to the speaker, thus direct-

coupling each portion of the crossover to the amplifier.

To bi-wire you must first loosen the binding posts and

remove the jumper clips. Connect one set of wires to the

upper set of binding posts which connect to the panel of

the Prodigy. Then connect a second set of wires to the lower

binding posts which connect to the woofer. Next, connect

both sets of wires to the appropriate terminals on your

amplifier. Please take care to connect both (+) wires to

the (+) amplifier terminals and both (-) wires to the (-)

amplifier terminals. This is known as a parallel connection

(See Figure 2).

For those of you that desire ultimate performance, the

Prodigy may be passively bi-amplified using the existing

internal passive crossover elements.

WARNING! Only after the jumper clips are removed

may you connect individual runs of speaker cable

from your amplifiers to the high pass (ESL) and

low pass (WOOFER) Signal Input binding posts.

Damage will occur to your amplifiers if the jumper

clips are not removed.

This method takes the bi-wiring concept one step further.

Now you will have a dedicated channel of amplification

directly connected to the high and low pass sections of the

Prodigy crossover. There are two different methods for bi-amping

with two stereo amplifiers. The first and most common is

referred to as Horizontal Bi-amping. The second method is

referred to as Vertical Bi-amping. With either method you may

use two stereo amplifiers or four mono amplifiers, or two

mono amplifiers and one stereo amplifier. Get the idea?

With either form of passive bi-amplification, your preamplifier

must have dual outputs. If your preamplifier is not so equipped,

you must either purchase or construct a “Y” adapter.

Horizontal Passive Bi-Amplification

Horizontal bi-amping allows you to use two different types,

models or brands of amplifiers (i.e. tubes on top, transistor

on the bottom). However, we recommend that you use

two identical amplifiers (i.e. same brand and model).

If you must use two different amplifiers, it is essential that

they have the same gain or that one of the two have adjustable

gain so that you can match their gain characteristics.

If the amplifiers of choice do not have the same gain

characteristics, then a sonic imbalance will occur.

Single-Wire Connection

Passive Bi-Amplification

Figure 1. Single-Wire Connection. One Channel shown.

Amplifier

Jumper clips

in place,

full-range

speaker output

ESL

Woofer

Bass C

Control

flat

+3db

Figure 2. Bi-Wire Connection. One Channel shown.

Amplifier

speaker output

Jumper clips

removed

ESL

Woofer

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RODIGY

TM

Bass C

Control

flat

+3db

8

Operations

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