If you want to connect two speakers into a single-channel speaker, the first thing to do is determine the electrical output impedance of the amplifier and speakers. Ideally, the impedances match. If you can get them to be the same, then you can successfully connect the speakers to the amplifier.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Serial Speakers
Step 1. If speakers are connected in series, their electrical impedance will be added
For example, you have two 8 ohm speakers and you want to connect them to an amplifier with an output impedance of 16 ohms. In this case, connect the speakers in series so that the output impedance is 8+8=16 ohms, equal to that of the amplifier.
Step 2. Connect the negative (-) terminal of the amplifier to the negative terminal of the first speaker
Step 3. Connect the positive terminal of the first speaker to the negative terminal of your speaker
Step 4. Connect the positive terminal of the second speaker to the positive terminal of the amplifier
Method 2 of 2: Speakers in Parallel
Step 1. For a parallel connection of two speakers, the resulting impedance is half the amplifier impedance (assuming the speakers have the same impedance)
For example: you have two identical speakers, but the amplifier has a 4 ohm output. In this case, connect the speakers in parallel as the impedance will be 8/2=4 ohms, ie, the same as the amplifier.
Step 2. Connect the negative (-) terminal of the amplifier to the negative terminal of the first speaker
Step 3. Connect the negative of the first speaker to the negative of the second
Step 4. Connect the positive (+) terminal of the amplifier to the positive terminal of the first speaker
Step 5. Connect the positive of the first speaker to the positive of the second
Tips
- It is possible to connect more than two speakers in parallel. If they have the same impedance, the result will be the impedance of one speaker divided by the number of speakers. So the impedance of three speakers for 8 ohms connected in parallel is 2.7 ohms.
- You can connect more than two speakers in series, and the impedance will be added. Therefore, the impedance of an 8 ohm speaker and 2 16 ohm speaker connected in series is 40 ohm.
- Never join two wires in the same amplifier, for example: positive (+) of the first and second speaker with the positive (+) of the amplifier, and the same with negative (-) connections.
Notices
- Consult your amplifier manual to see if there are any exceptions, variations and warnings, or take an accessible class on the subject.
- If the impedance of the speakers is too low, you can damage the speakers when trying to connect them.