Guide To Subwoofer Wiring

[GhosT]

Single Voice Coils

Wiring your subs: Single Voice Coil


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With multi-driver sub systems the level of wiring complexity can be enough to turn-off even the most adventurous of car audio do-it-yourselfers. Fear not though, for we have compiled wiring diagrams of several configurations for single voice coil (SVC) drivers.

Please note that when wiring multiple drivers it is recommended that series connections between drivers be avoided at all costs. This does not include series connections made between voice coils on the same driver. For more information, please consult our dual voice coil tutorial section.

Additionally, if you have an idea for a wiring configuration and you do not see it here, chances are you should re-think its implementation (in other words, don't do it). You will more than likely find that the results will be less than optimal.


1 SVC driver
It just doesn't get any easier than this: two terminals (+ and -) on the speaker, and two leads from the amp also conveniently labeled + and -. The rest is history.
2 Ohm Subwoofer: 2 Ohms

3 Ohm Subwoofer: 3 Ohms
4 Ohm Subwoofer: 4 Ohms
8 Ohm Subwoofer: 8 Ohms
12 Ohm Subwoofer: 12 Ohms
http://mobile.jlaudio.com/graphics/Support/Tutorials/wiring_images/SVC_Parallel_1.gif

2 SVC drivers with Voice Coils in Parallel
This is pretty simple, too. Wire both woofer (+) to the amplifier's (+) and do the same with the (-) connections.
2 Ohm Subwoofer: 1 Ohm

3 Ohm Subwoofer: 1.5 Ohms
4 Ohm Subwoofers: 2 Ohms
8 Ohm Subwoofers: 4 Ohms
12 Ohm Subwoofers: 6 Ohms
http://mobile.jlaudio.com/graphics/Support/Tutorials/wiring_images/SVC_Parallel_2.gif

3 SVC drivers with Voice Coils in Parallel
All woofer (+) to the amp (+). All woofer (-) to the amp (-) connections.

2 Ohm Subwoofers: 0.67 Ohm
3 Ohm Subwoofers: 1 Ohm
4 Ohm Subwoofers: 1.33 Ohms
8 Ohm Subwoofers: 2.66 Ohms
12 Ohm Subwoofers: 4 Ohms
http://mobile.jlaudio.com/graphics/Support/Tutorials/wiring_images/SVC_Parallel_3.gif

4 SVC drivers with Voice Coils in Parallel
All woofer (+) to the amp (+). All woofer (-) to the amp (-) connections.
2 Ohm Subwoofers: 0.5 Ohms

3 Ohm Subwoofers: 0.75 Ohms
4 Ohm Subwoofers: 1 Ohm
8 Ohm Subwoofers: 2 Ohms
12 Ohm Subwoofers: 3 Ohms
http://mobile.jlaudio.com/graphics/Support/Tutorials/wiring_images/SVC_Parallel_4.gif

5 SVC drivers with Voice Coils in Parallel

All woofer (+) to the amp (+). All woofer (-) to the amp (-) connections.
2 Ohm Subwoofers: 0.4 Ohms
3 Ohm Subwoofers: 0.6 Ohm
4 Ohm Subwoofers: 0.8 Ohm
8 Ohm Subwoofers: 1.6 Ohms
12 Ohm Subwoofers: 2.4 Ohms
http://mobile.jlaudio.com/graphics/Support/Tutorials/wiring_images/SVC_Parallel_5.gif

6 SVC drivers with Voice Coils in Parallel
All woofer (+) to the amp (+). All woofer (-) to the amp (-) connections.
2 Ohm Subwoofers: 0.33 Ohm

3 Ohm Subwoofers: 0.5 Ohm
4 Ohm Subwoofers: 0.67 Ohm
8 Ohm Subwoofers: 1.33 Ohms
12 Ohm Subwoofers: 2 Ohms
http://mobile.jlaudio.com/graphics/Support/Tutorials/wiring_images/SVC_Parallel_6.gif

[GhosT]

Dual Voice Coil


Wiring your subs: Dual Voice Coils


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With multi-driver sub systems, which often feature dual voice coils (DVC) on each driver, the level of wiring complexity can be enough to turn-off even the most adventurous of car audio do-it-yourselfers. Fear not though, for we have compiled wiring diagrams of several configurations for dual voice coil (DVC) drivers.

Please note that when wiring multiple drivers it is recommended that series connections between drivers be avoided at all costs. This does not include series connections made between voice coils on the same driver. For more information, please consult our dual voice coil tutorial.

Additionally, if you have an idea for a wiring configuration and you do not see it here, chances are you should re-think its implementation (in other words, don't do it). You will more than likely find that the results will be less than optimal.



1 DVC driver with Voice Coils in Series
Connecting the two voice coils of the driver in series (+ to -) will result in the following impedances:
Dual-6 Ohm Subwoofer: 12 Ohms
Dual-4 Ohm Subwoofer: 8 Ohms
Dual-2 Ohm Subwoofer: 4 Ohms
Dual-1.5 Ohm Subwoofer: 3 Ohms
http://mobile.jlaudio.com/graphics/Support/Tutorials/wiring_images/DVC_Series_1.gif

1 DVC driver with Voice Coils in Parallel
Connecting the two voice coils of the driver in parallel (+ to +, - to -) will result in the following impedances:
Dual-6 Ohm Subwoofer: 3 Ohms
Dual-4 Ohm Subwoofer: 2 Ohms
Dual-2 Ohm Subwoofer: 1 Ohms
Dual-1.5 Ohm Subwoofer: 0.75 Ohm
http://mobile.jlaudio.com/graphics/Support/Tutorials/wiring_images/DVC_Parallel_1.gif
2 DVC drivers with Voice Coils in Series / Parallel
Connecting the two voice coils of each driver in series (+ to -) and the drivers themselves in parallel (+ to +, etc.) will result in the following impedances:
Dual-6 Ohm Subwoofers: 6 Ohms
Dual-4 Ohm Subwoofer: 4 Ohms
Dual-2 Ohm Subwoofer: 2 Ohms
Dual-1.5 Ohm Subwoofer: 1.5 Ohms
http://mobile.jlaudio.com/graphics/Support/Tutorials/wiring_images/DVC_Series_2.gif

2 DVC drivers with Voice Coils in Parallel / Parallel
Connecting the voice coils of each driver in parallel (+ to +, - to -) and the drivers themselves in parallel (+ to +, etc.) will result in the following impedances:
Dual-6 Ohm Subwoofers: 1.5 Ohms
Dual-4 Ohm Subwoofers: 1 Ohm
Dual-2 Ohm Subwoofers: 0.5 Ohm
Dual-1.5 Ohm Subwoofer: 0.38 Ohms
http://mobile.jlaudio.com/graphics/Support/Tutorials/wiring_images/DVC_Parallel_2.gif

3 DVC drivers with Voice Coils in Series / Parallel
Connecting the two voice coils of each driver in series (+ to -) and the drivers themselves in parallel (+ to +, etc.) will result in the following impedances:
Dual-6 Ohm Subwoofers: 4 Ohms
Dual-4 Ohm Subwoofers: 2.67 Ohms
Dual-2 Ohm Subwoofers: 1.33 Ohms
Dual-1.5 Ohm Subwoofer: 1 Ohm
http://mobile.jlaudio.com/graphics/Support/Tutorials/wiring_images/DVC_Series_3.gif

3 DVC drivers with Voice Coils in Parallel / Parallel
Connecting the two voice coils of each driver in parallel (+ to +, - to -) and the drivers themselves in parallel will result in the following impedances:
Dual-6 Ohm Subwoofers: 1 Ohm
Dual-4 Ohm Subwoofers: 0.67 Ohm
Dual-2 Ohm Subwoofers: 0.33 Ohm
Dual-1.5 Ohm Subwoofer: 0.25 Ohm
http://mobile.jlaudio.com/graphics/Support/Tutorials/wiring_images/DVC_Parallel_3.gif

4 DVC drivers with Voice Coils in Series / Parallel
Connecting the two voice coils of each driver in series (+ to -) and the drivers themselves in parallel (+ to +, etc.) will result in the following impedances:
Dual-6 Ohm Subwoofers: 3 Ohms
Dual-4 Ohm Subwoofers: 2 Ohms
Dual-2 Ohm Subwoofers: 1 Ohm
Dual-1.5 Ohm Subwoofers: 0.75 Ohm
http://mobile.jlaudio.com/graphics/Support/Tutorials/wiring_images/DVC_Series_4.gif

4 DVC drivers with Voice Coils in Parallel / Parallel
Connecting the two voice coils of each driver in parallel (+ to +, - to -) and the drivers themselves in parallel (+ to +, etc.) will result in the following impedances:
Dual-6 Ohm Subwoofers: 0.75 Ohm
Dual-4 Ohm Subwoofers: 0.5 Ohm
Dual-2 Ohm Subwoofers: 0.25 Ohm
Dual-1.5 Ohm Subwoofer: 0.19 Ohm
http://mobile.jlaudio.com/graphics/Support/Tutorials/wiring_images/DVC_Parallel_4.gif

5 DVC drivers with Voice Coils in Series / Parallel
Connecting the two voice coils of each driver in series (+ to -) and the drivers themselves in parallel (+ to +, etc.) will result in the following impedances:
Dual-6 Ohm Subwoofers: 2.4 Ohms
Dual-4 Ohm Subwoofers: 1.6 Ohms
Dual-2 Ohm Subwoofers: 0.8 Ohm
Dual-1.5 Ohm Subwoofer: 0.6 Ohm
http://mobile.jlaudio.com/graphics/Support/Tutorials/wiring_images/DVC_Series_5.gif

5 DVC drivers with Voice Coils in Parallel / Parallel
Connecting the two voice coils of each driver in parallel (+ to +, - to -) and the drivers themselves in parallel will result in the following impedances:
Dual-6 Ohm Subwoofers: 0.6 Ohm
Dual-4 Ohm Subwoofers: 0.4 Ohm
Dual-2 Ohm Subwoofers: 0.2 Ohm
Dual-1.5 Ohm Subwoofer: 0.15 Ohm
http://mobile.jlaudio.com/graphics/Support/Tutorials/wiring_images/DVC_Parralel_5.gif

[GhosT]

6 DVC drivers with Voice Coils in Series / Parallel
Connecting the two voice coils of each driver in series (+ to -) and the drivers themselves in parallel (+ to +, etc.) will result in the following impedances:
Dual-6 Ohm Subwoofers: 2 Ohms
Dual-4 Ohm Subwoofers: 1.3 Ohms
Dual-2 Ohm Subwoofers: 0.7 Ohms
Dual-1.5 Ohm Subwoofer: 0.5 Ohms
http://mobile.jlaudio.com/graphics/Support/Tutorials/wiring_images/DVC_Series_6.gif

6 DVC drivers with Voice Coils in Parallel / Parallel
Connecting the two voice coils of each driver in parallel (+ to +, - to -) and the drivers themselves in parallel will result in the following impedances:
Dual-6 Ohm Subwoofers: 0.5 Ohm
Dual-4 Ohm Subwoofers: 0.33 Ohm
Dual-2 Ohm Subwoofers: 0.167 Ohm
Dual-1.5 Ohm Subwoofer: 0.125 Ohm
http://mobile.jlaudio.com/graphics/Support/Tutorials/wiring_images/DVC_Parallel_6.gif