Stereo Impedance Question

BigDeal · Soul Rider Joined: 18 Oct 2003 Posts: 477 City: Orlando

The equipment:

1 - 1000wx2 amp (stable down to 2 ohm stereo load)
3 - Pair of MB Quart RCE components (wired individually, i.e. 6 channels)

The question:
How should I wire the six speakers to work with my 2 channel amp? Can I create one channel where speaker #1 is wired to speaker #2 in parellel and then to speaker #3 in series, then repeat the process and create a second channel for speakers 4-6? What ohm load would that create per channel (6 ohms)? Any issue running that ohm load on my amp?

This one's got me a little stumped......... Confused

Johnny5 · Criminal Joined: 17 Apr 2004 Posts: 82

That would certainly work and would definitely give you a load above 2 ohms so you are safe.
Just watch the bass as impedence varies with frequency, in other words the lower the note you play the lower the impedence of the speaker.
So you MBQ's though a 4ohm speaker that is an average impedence and it can and will drop down. However, your amp was designed with that in mind and should be able to handle the momentary low impedence drive.
Hopefully the amp has got the b@!!$ to do it.
Shouldn't hurt to try, should only shut own if the load is too much.

jlembas · Newbie Joined: 28 Mar 2003 Posts: 13 City: AZ

BigDeal,

Your problem is fairly common, but there isn't much of a solution. You may have several issues with the way you want to wire your speakers up. First, running a parallel-series configuration will give you a 6-ohm load (not great for a car audio amp). Secondly, speaker set #1 and #2 will only get half of the power that #3 will see....not good. Third, this configuration isn't the best for sound quality. You have a great set of component speakers and it would be a shame to wire them up in a way that will sacrifice the sound quality.

Your best solution would be to wire only two sets in parallel which will sound great and get another amp for the third set (I'm sure you already thought of that). Or, if you are a casual listener and don't crank it up too much, try running all three sets in parallel and see what you amp does. It might be O.K. Hope this helps.

BigDeal · Soul Rider Joined: 18 Oct 2003 Posts: 477 City: Orlando

Mr. Mutt · Posted: Jun 15, 2004 11:07 am Post subject:

I think the answer is buy a 4 channel amp and use your 2 channel for the new sub you're going to install as well...you can get them pretty good on etronics. I got a kicker 650.4 for around $300, and it sounds pretty solid.

Xaggerate · Outlaw Joined: 29 Mar 2004 Posts: 135 City: SLO/Poway

jlembas · Newbie Joined: 28 Mar 2003 Posts: 13 City: AZ

I should have clarified the ohm load on the parallel. Running three 4 ohm speakers in parallel will give you a 1.33 ohm load. This is a low ohm load for most amps, but not for all. Most quality amplifiers will go into protect mode if you exceed their limitations. The amp will run warm/hot if under high output for sure.

We always advise against doing this since we like to see the equipment last.

BigDeal · Soul Rider Joined: 18 Oct 2003 Posts: 477 City: Orlando

Somehow I figured I'd probably be having to shop for another amp. The funny thing is that the issue is not so much the cost of the additional amp, but moreso where to mount it in my D-drive. I've already got three amps hidden away without having lost any storage space, but a fourth is really going to tax my creativity on finding a place to mount it without encroaching on my (limited) storage space.

Xaggerate · Outlaw Joined: 29 Mar 2004 Posts: 135 City: SLO/Poway

It'll no doubt tax your electrical system as well....

BigDeal · Soul Rider Joined: 18 Oct 2003 Posts: 477 City: Orlando

Xaggerate · Outlaw Joined: 29 Mar 2004 Posts: 135 City: SLO/Poway