One last Impedance qustion before I buy

[4Wheelin]

I am about to go and buy some dual voice coil subs today and I really need to know how to get a 2 ohm load out of all this. I am bridging the amp to one channel. Can I wire the subs in parallel and the voice coils in a series? Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

 

[JTang]

Hi 4Wheelin-

Yeah, that would be correct, assuming you mean you're bridging the amp using *two existing channels* to get a total *4 ohm load out of it in mono*. It's the way I have my box set up.

You could also just put the voice coils in parallel for each sub to become 2 ohms, and then wire each sub up to its own channel too, same power. That way you get stereo too, but for subs, that doesn't tend to make a huge sound difference.

1. Remember to look for subs that will handle the *bridged* power of your amp. So like if your amp says it puts out 200 watts RMS in bridged 4 ohm mono, you want to get two subs that have an RMS rating of at least 100 each, etc.

2. Get what sounds the best to you. If they have demo subs, although it sounds sort of dumb, there's no reason why you can't bring in your own CDs and ask them to play the music you listen to.

3. Take your time choosing, cause you'll have 'em for a long time!

4. Just because they may not have anything you like, don't feel like you HAVE to get something now regardless of what a salesman says. DON'T be pressured.

5. Have fun shopping!!!

[Edited by JTang on 08-04-2000 at 09:55 AM]

 

[4Wheelin]

I got the subs. I got 3 12" Punch Hx2 and a mdf box for them. I am installing them in the morning and I'll keep you updated. Wish me luck!

 

[JTang]

Hi 4Wheelin,

Hey, wait... I thought you were going to only buy two subs! The impedance will be different, then, from what I wrote before. Draw out what you think you might want to do and try working out the ohms first. Is your amp 4 ohms mono capable, or can it go lower than that?

If your amp is able to perform at 2 ohms BRIDGED, then you can go ahead and wire each coil up in series, so that each sub is 8 ohms, then wire them all in parallel. This will make a total ohm load of 2.33 ohms. Make sure your amp can handle the XX watts x 1 at 2 ohms first.

If you the amp is able to do only 4 ohms bridged, like most amps, then wire each voice coil up in parallel, so that each sub is 2 ohms, then wire all of the subs up in series for a total of 6 ohms. Although 6 ohms seems not what you want, it's really 3 ohms per channel output, so it'll put more out than the average 4 ohms per channel. It won't pull out everything that your amp has to offer, but it will pull out about 150% of what each channel has to offer, and it will allow that amp to run a little cooler.

Good luck!

Jon

 

[4Wheelin]

I installed them today and it rattles my brain with the gain 1/4 of the way up. Definitly worth the money. They are in an MDF box and are wired all in parallel, not too sure but I wired it up like it said in the manual so the impedance is 2.67 ohms. I'll post pics as soon as I can get them.

 

[JTang]

Cool! Definitely, put the pics up! Make sure that you amp is able to sustain the 2.67 ohms mono though, aight? If not, your amp'll be toast in a month. Glad to hear it all went well, though!

 

[4Wheelin]

It is 2 ohm stable so I dunno, but i think it should. WHat do you think?

 

[JTang]

It should be fine then. Just make sure you're not getting confused, 2 ohm stereo is different then 2 ohm mono is all. Other than that it should be cool. Have fun, man!

Jon