Bridging a stereo amplifier to mono is a very simple process. When you bridge a stereo amplifier to a mono speaker, it allows you to use the power of the two amplifier channels to drive a standard load.
So from a two-channel amplifier, you will be using both the left and right signal to drive the load for a mono speaker. As a result, a bridged mode amp provides a much higher output as the speaker receives the extra power from two channels.
Some people bridge a stereo amplifier to mono because they want to get even more out of their audio equipment.
This is most commonly used in car stereo systems. Doing this in a vehicle means that a much stronger mono signal can be sent to the car’s subwoofer.
But if you are looking at how to bridge your stereo amplifier to mono, first you need to check to see if it can be bridged. Unfortunately, some amplifiers don’t come with the bridged mode feature that allows you to do this.
Despite this, it can still be done if you would like to bridge a mono into a stereo amplifier that doesn’t have the capability. You do this by dividing the signal powering each amplifier channel, and then reversing the polarity of one of the signals.
Any amplifier that comes with the bridging feature will give you twice as much power to the speaker. In turn, this results in a much greater output.
But before we show you how to bridge a stereo amplifier to a mono, let’s explain a little bit about what a mono amplifier is.
What Is a Mono Amplifier?
When it comes to bridging amplifiers, they use the output from two stereo channels to drive the load of one mono speaker.
This is often carried out, so a much higher output from the amp can be achieved by combining the power available from the two stereo channels.
Although, this isn’t necessary when your amplifier correctly connects to the stereo speakers. You may find having a bridged amp more desirable if you want to run your stereo system in mono mode. Doing this will allow you to use the bridgeable amplifiers at full power when typically only half would get used.
Important Note:
When it comes to bridging channels, it is best if you don’t use a speaker with a rating of fewer than 8 ohms. This is because when you are bridging the stereo channels on your amplifier, each one of the bridged pairs will see only one-half of the speaker load.
This means that the bridged amp driving an 8-ohm speaker is only operating at a 4-ohm load.
You need to ensure that the speaker to which you want to connect a stereo amplifier can handle the additional power provided once bridging has been carried out.
The actual process of bridging a stereo amp is a relatively easy one. But it is best if this work is only undertaken on an amplifier that is specifically designed with a bridging feature included.
Make Sure That Your Amplifier Can Be Bridged
It is worth taking the time to read through the user’s manual that came with your amplifier. Hopefully, it should tell you how to configure your amp correctly so you can use it in bridged mono mode.
If you look on the back of the amplifier, you may even be surprised to find instructions that tell you how to do the process we’ve discussed above.
If you’ve lost the user’s manual or cannot see anything written on the back of the amp, a quick search online will help you discover if you can bridge your amplifier or not.
At the same, you’ll be able to learn whether your amplifier can function using only half the ohms it is using currently.
In most cases, you’ll find that most amps available today come with a small diagram on the rear. It is often located close to the channels and shows you the terminals you will need to use to bridge it.
Also, if the amplifier you are using claims it cannot be bridged, don’t try and carry out this process. The reason is that it may already have an internal bridge. If this is the case, you could end up causing damage to your amplifier.
You should also be aware that bridging can also cause it to become a mono when it comes to a stereo amplifier. Initially, it would be amplifying from both the left and right channels, but once bridging has occurred, it will either amplify from the left or right channel separately, not at the same time.
How to Bridge a Stereo Amplifier to Mono: Easy Steps
Before you begin this process, there are certain things you’ll need to have ready to help you carry out this task. Here’s what you’ll need:
- An amplifier that is bridgeable
- Two good quality speaker cables (wires)
In this next part of the guide, we will take you through the whole process of bridging a stereo amplifier to a mono.
Before you begin the task of bridging a stereo amplifier to mono, it’s a good idea to learn the layout of your equipment. So spend a little time getting to know the entire layout of the back of your amplifier, and the same goes for the mono to which you will be connecting it.
Doing this could save you a great deal of time and hassle later on.
Step 1
Before starting, turn off the amplifier power supply before connecting it to the speaker. Also, you need to ensure that the speaker you are using can handle the output load from the amplifier.
This is crucial to know as the output impedance will double after you have bridged the amp to the speaker. So, for example, if the amp you are using runs at 2 ohms, then the mono to be bridged must have an output of 4 ohms.
Step 2
Take the speaker wire beside you and connect this to the positive terminals on the first of the amps stereo channels.
Now take the other end of the speaker wire and connect this to the positive terminal on the single speaker cabinet.
Step 3
Next, take another speaker wire and connect it to the amp’s negative terminal output from the second stereo channel on the amp.
Then take the other end of the same speaker wire and connect this to the negative terminal on the speaker cabinet.
You will now be able to bridge your stereo amplifier to the mono successfully.
Step 4
After doing this, you can turn the amplifier back on so a signal gets played to the speaker. This is when you can check to see if everything is working correctly.
If you notice that there isn’t any audio signal being received by the speaker, then turn the amplifier off straightaway. After turning it off, you should double-check that the wiring is in the correct positions and is secure.
Conclusion
As you can see, how to bridge a stereo amplifier to a mono is relatively simple. You should be able to complete this task in no time at all.
However, it is vital to note that bridging a stereo amplifier doesn’t mean you will create a much louder output. Instead, when you connect it to a proper stereo speaker system, the output will be the same as when you bridged it to mono.
You’ll find that bridging is more useful if the desired stereo output isn’t available, but you want increased power output.
As already discussed above, it is vital to check that your amp is designed to be bridged. If it isn’t, then it is best not to attempt to do so because not only can it cause damage to the amplifier but you could also end up destroying your speaker.
We hope you’ve found this guide helpful and would love to know what you think. If you followed this guide to bridge your own stereo amplifier to mono, let us know in the comments below.
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