Let's talk amplification

[evolution7tt]

Let's say I have 2 identical 4 channel amplifiers, brand is irrelevant, power is

50W x 4 at 4 ohm
100W x 4 at 2 ohm
200W x 2 at 4 ohm bridged

I have a tweeter, midrange, and midbass. The midrange and midbass share the same signal from the headunit. The amplifier's crossover is used to spilt that signal into HP and LP for midrange and midbass respectively.

So the question is, I have 8 channels of amplification, 6 drivers. Is/are there any major SIGNIFICANT benefit/s to using a vertical bi-amplification setup?? Or should I just stick to a horizontal amplification setup?

[silent_riot]

The ONLY issue is whether they can support the weight of each other in a vertical configuration...
If your amps are heavy, stick with a horizontal configuration.

[jeff]

The ONLY issue is whether they can support the weight of each other in a vertical configuration...
If your amps are heavy, stick with a horizontal configuration.

x 2

[SR]

keep in mind hot air rises so look at the design of the heat sink

[3stagevtec]

Vertical arrangement will share the loads evenly among the two amplifiers.

I am guessing you are going to bridge 4 channels out of the two amplifiers to power the midbasses.. so that way you end up with 6 total channels to work with..

I doubt there will be any SQ advantage to horizontal vs vertical bi amping, it's a matter of wiring / personal preference and how you want to distribute the loads across the amplifiers..

[evolution7tt]

The amps are not heavy, that's why I posted the power output.

One of the main benefits that I read about is improved imaging, and as 3stage said, equal loads for both amplifiers.

[silent_riot]

Equal amplifier gain structure, best channel separation possible and the ability to tweak gain per channel.

[jeff]

"sq purists" mention that with "vertical amping" you eliminate the little chance if any of cross talk in the channels.

[Sully]

If you're using the amplifier's xover wouldn't that mean that you have to ho horizontal for that signal? I'm assuming that the amplifier's xover operates a pair of channels and not a single channel.

[evolution7tt]

Correct Sully, but if I were to go with a vertical setup, channel 1 and 2 would be highpassed at whatever the midrange is set at.

Channel 1 to tweet, Channel 2 to mid. The tweeter signal is HP from the headunit. So it may not be an issue.

Channel 3 + 4 bridged to midbass, lowpassed at amplifier.

[Sully]

I get you now. The vertical setup will allow you to set the balance using the gains, which could be of benefit when making small adjustments for staging.