I use B&W N803's as my main front left and right channels. The B&W N803's have an internal (passive) crossover network that is optimized for the individual drivers, which are designed and built by B&W. I do not recommend bypassing your speaker's crossover in favor of an external (active) crossover network. B&W has a section on bi-wiring and bi-amping in the FAQ section of their website which advocated these configurations. While I am convinced that bi-amping my N803's is worth the trouble, I believe that I am in the minority in this forum.

While there are good arguments for active crossovers, your speakers are not good candidates. Passive crossovers utilize resistors and capacitors in the signal path; the significance (negative effect) of this passive design is a strongly debated subject. B&W favors the optimized design of their passive crossover, while others will argue that unless you use an active crossover, there is no benefit to bi-amp your speakers.

I bi-amp my passive crossover speakers (B&W N803's) because:

1) I process the bass frequency signal (under 400 Hz) coming from my 950 pre-amp with a parametric equalizer (PEQ). The room/speaker interaction has been analyzed with the True RTA program, a Real Time Analysis frequency measurement tool. The result of employing the PEQ is a leveling of the bass response without altering the tonality (or phase coherence) of the instruments. This has been the single most important improvement to the sound quality of my system. Many audiophiles will argue that using equalization in this way is a sin against the God of sound purity. So be it.

2) The amplifier serving the mid-high frequency speaker driver circuit is fed the full (non-EQ'd) signal, so the internal crossover of the B&W N803 does all the work. Since the midrange and tweeter transducers provide the most of the spatial and subtle tonal information, I have chosen not to include a processor in this signal path. The actual current demand for the mid-high circuit is relatively small.

I am not against active crossovers, as I have used them in live concert venues. Also, there are many who work in a studio environment who use purpose built monitor arrays with customized active crossovers.

There are, however, a very significant number of highly regarded professional studios that use the passive crossovers found in the monitors themselves. The studio space and audio systems are all professionally analyzed and balanced by the recording engineers to provide as "neutral" an environment as possible for the type of music (varies for classical, jazz, rock...). This list includes Tellarc, Deutsche Grammophon Gesellschaft, Abbey Road Studios, etc... There is no expense spared in these studios and control rooms.

Good Luck...

Allan