Speakers in Series

32-2001.fm Page 8 Friday, February 4, 2000 7:53 AM

you can make the correct connection. The total impedance of all the speakers must match one of the amplifier’s output terminals (4Ω, 8Ω, or 16Ω).

1.To determine the total impedance of speakers connected in series, add the impedance of all the speakers.

For example, if you want to connect two 8-ohm speakers in series, add 8 (the impedance of one speaker) plus 8 (the impedance of the other speaker) for a total speaker imped- ance of 16 ohms.

Speakers in Parallel

1.To determine the total impedance of speakers connected in parallel, divide the impedance of one speaker by the number of speakers.

For example, if you want to connect two 8-ohm speakers in parallel, divide 8 (the impedance of one speaker) by 2 (the number of speak- ers) for a total speaker impedance of 4 ohms.

Two 8Ω Speakers

2.Connect the first speaker’s positive

(+) terminal to the second speaker’s negative (–) terminal.

3.Connect the first speaker’s nega- tive (–) terminal to the amplifier’s COM terminal.

4.Connect the second speaker’s posi- tive (+) terminal to the amplifier’s ter-

minal that matches the total speaker impedance (16Ω, in this example).

Two 8Ω Speakers

2.Connect the speakers’ negative (–) terminals together.

3.Connect the speakers’ positive (+) terminals together.

4.Connect the speakers’ negative (–) terminals to the amplifier’s COM ter- minal.

5.Connect the speakers’ positive (+) terminals to the amplifier’s terminal

that matches the total speaker impedance (4Ω, in this example).

Series and Parallel Combined

If you must hook up more than two speakers, you might have to use a com- bination of series and parallel connec- tions to get a total impedance that matches one of the amplifier’s terminals.