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Old 04-23-2008, 11:11 PM   #20
CarStereoGuy24
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Just in case a few people are interested in the topic of wiring different channel amplifiers to different voice coil subwoofers. Who knows...I'm just bored.

Subwoofer Wiring Configuration Diagrams (the four examples below are usually the most common)

One single 4-ohm voice coil subwoofer

Advantages
A more simple installation, lower price and space saving are the key advantages of a single subwoofer system. It's easier to hook up a single subwoofer and there are a lot of decently priced subwoofers to choose from. Also, it won't take up too much room (if you need some available trunk space). A single subwoofer may not grant you a first prize winning at a bass competition, but you will still achieve solid, loud bass.

Amplifier for the job
This is a great job for 2-channel car amplifiers. You can bridge the output of the amplifier and get lots of power for a lower cost. Try not to use a mono/1-channel car amplifier for this job, as they work best at a lower impedance levels (2 ohms, 1 ohm). Use the diagram below to visualize this type of configuration.


One 4-ohm dual voice coil subwoofer
Advantages
Dual voice coil (DVC) subwoofers have two voice coils that simply gives you more ways to hook them up. In addition to more wiring options, the advantages of using one dual voice coil (DVC) subwoofer are power handling (most dual voice coil subwoofers are designed for heavy-duty use) and compactness.

Amplifier for the job
This is a great job for mono/1-channel car amplifiers. This is because mono/1-channel car amplifiers are built to provide the most power at lower impedance levels (usually around 2 ohms). By wiring the voice coils in parallel, you will achieve a 2-ohm impedance to the amplifier and get maximum power output. Use the diagram below to visualize this type of configuration.


Two 4-ohm single voice coil subwoofers

Advantages
When you're looking for a lot of bass, two subwoofers will satisfy your needs. Knowing that sound is the movement of air, with two subwoofers, you can move twice as much air! Plus, 4-ohm single voice coil subwoofers are usually lower in price and can be an advantage in savings. Of course you know that two subwoofers will take up more room, but what do you want, more room in the trunk or bass? There's always the back seat for groceries!

Amplifier for the job
This is also a great job for mono/1-channel car amplifiers. By wiring the two subwoofers in parallel, you'll achieve a 2-ohm impedance to the amplifier. Mono/1-channel amplifiers are designed and built for just this kind of configuration, so you'll get maximum wattage output from your amplifier. Use the diagram below to visualize this type of configuration.


Two 4-ohm dual voice coil (DVC) subwoofers

Advantages
You'll have a variety of ways to hook up this combination of dual voice coil subwoofers. As stated above, two subwoofers will move twice as much air! So, if you're looking for more bass, this configuration will deliver. Hook them up, and let the bass waves flow!

Amplifier for the job
This is a great job for a 2-channel car amplifier. Once again, a 2-channel amplifier can save on the budget, and by bridging the two channels into one, you'll get a lot of power. Get some high powered subwoofers, a powerful amplifier and let the combination shake the brain out of your head! Use the diagram below to visualize this type of configuration.


Also, to achieve a 1-ohm load from a mono/1-channel class D amplifier, you could use one (1), 2 ohms dual voice coil subwoofer wired in parallel which would allow the amplifier to see a 1-ohm load. You could also wire three (3), 4 ohms subwoofers in parallel and present a 1.33 ohms load to your amplifier.

Producing a 1-ohm load to your mono/1-channel mono amplifier is going to allow it to produce the maximum amout of watts it was designed for.
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