Interested in great sounding bass? Adding a sub, also known as subwoofer, to youramplifier will give you the quality bass you’re looking for. Because amps contain anelectromagnetic component that boostselectrical currents, they are ideal for connecting to subs.
Since subs by themselves emit low bass frequencies that are oftentimes difficult to hear, it makes sense why you’d want to hook them up to an amp. The conventional formula prescribes one sub to one amp. However, for those who want to break with convention and take it to the next level, this article will explore what wiring 2 subs to mono amp entails.
The Clear Advantage Of Using 2 Subs
Clear and faithful sound quality is something music-heads live for. Wiring 2 subs to mono amp does exactly that, filtering away nearly all interference and increasing volume, thereby improving your listening experience.
You may be wondering how two subs accomplish this, and what the science is behind it.
In brief, increasing loudness makes bass sounds more prominent, adding depth to the quality of music. Loudness depends on the pressure amplitude of sound waves. The pressure amplitude is controlled by the volume of air a subwoofer is able to displace or move. With two subs you displace more air and increase pressure, thereby contributing to greater loudness.
Steps for Wiring 2 Subs To Mono Amp
Several steps before attempting a connection:
- Check if your subs and mono amp are compatible
- Pick up some speaker wire–the length and number of wires you need will depend on the number of coils your subs use
- If your two subs have dual voice coils, prepare your additional wire for extra terminals
- The terminals on your subs are internally connected to their voice coils and you will use them to connect with external devices. Locate the positive and negative terminals
- Make sure your connecting wires are long enough to reach from the subs to the mono amp
- Peel off the insulation at both ends of the wire, exposing the metal
At this point, there are two ways to set up your dual subs.
Parallel Wiring
- Using the wire, connect the positive terminal on your mono amp to the positive terminals on both subs. For this connection, your wire should resemble a “Y”
- Following this, connect a separate wire from the negative terminal of the mono amp to the negative terminals of both subs. This second connection should also resemble a “Y”
- To calculate the impedance (electrical resistance), divide the impedance load of one of the voice coils by the number of coils
Series Wiring
- This system uses a positive speaker wire to connect the positive terminal of the amp to the positive terminal of the first sub
- A separate wire is then used to connect the negative terminal of the first sub to the positive terminal of the second sub
- A third negative wire is used to connect the negative end of the second sub to the negative end of the amp
- When you have correctly connected all wires to their proper sub and amp terminals, they should form a loop
- Calculate your impedance by adding loads of your subwoofers’ voice coils
The Difference Between Parallel and Series Wiring?
Wiring speakers or subwoofers in a series with a mono block amp will increase the total resistance of the circuit. By contrast, voice coils in parallel tend to have less resistance.
Choosing Compatible Subs and Amp
Before you choose between series and parallel wiring, you’ll want to check that you have the right subs and amplifier, and that the two are compatible. Subwoofers and amps come in various sizes and different makes and models. Below we’ve compiled a list of variables to help you determine if your subs are compatible with your amplifier.
What Type Of Voice Coil Do Your Subs Have?
It might be helpful for you to first learn what avoice coil even is. A voice coil is positioned at the top of the sound cone inside the sub. It is a coil of wire wrapped around a magnet that converts electric current into vibrations by oscillating and upsetting the cone beneath it.
The cone’s vibrations affect air pressure around the cone, producing sound waves.
There are two types of voice coil:
Single Voice Coil: These have limited wiring options and one set of terminals (positive and negative).
Dual Voice Coil: dual voice coil wiring options feature two sets of terminals, one set for each coil. A dual voice coil design uses both voice coils to upset one cone.
Ohm Impedance (Subs)
Impedance is measured in ohms, which are represented by the Greek letter Omega. Impedance determines the amount of electric signal that flows through your sub.
The higher the impedance, the more electrical signal resistance. The lower the impedance, the lower the resistance and the higher the signal. This resistance is used within the sub to protect it from the amp’s output.
You want to ensure that the subs have the right ohm load for your amp, as the wrong combination may damage the amp. The voice coils come in the following impedances of 2-ohm, 4-ohm, or 8-ohm.
What to Know about Mono Amps and Impedance
Also known as monoblock amplifiers, they have a single channel to connect with subs. Typically, a single channel connects to a single sub–however, as we’ve alluded to above, wiring 2 subs to mono amp is still easy enough to accomplish.
What are an Amp’s Optimal Load and Maximum Power Output?
Knowledge of an amp’s power output will help you figure out if your mono amp will work with the combined impedance of your two subs. Because amplifiers send less power through subs with high impedance, it will require more power to overcome a low load impedance.
On a Final Note
As an audio enthusiast, wiring 2 subs to mono amp is easy enough, especially if you follow the instructions and considerations listed above. Just be aware of the differences between connecting single and dual voice coil subs. Likewise, it is important to know your amp’s power output and what speaker impedance you’re working with. Once you’ve gathered the necessary materials and followed our guide, you’ll be on your way to enjoying a serious amount of bass.