Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 2: Connect speakers in series
• Method 2 of 2: Connect speakers in parallel
• Tips
• Warnings

If you have two speakers that you want to feed from a single channel amplifier, you must first determine the output impedance of the amplifier and the impedance of your speakers. Ideally, the output impedance of the amplifier should match the impedance of the speakers. If you can match the impedances, you can successfully use your speakers with the amplifier.

To step

Method 1 of 2: Connect speakers in series

1. When you connect the speakers in series, the speaker impedances are added together. Example: you have two 8 ohm speakers that you want to connect to an amplifier with an output impedance of 16 ohms. In this case, you are going to connect the speakers in series so that the total impedance of the speakers is 8 + 8 = 16 ohms, corresponding to the amplifier.
2. Insert the negative terminal (-) of the amplifier into the negative terminal of the first speaker.
3. Connect the positive terminal of the first speaker to the negative terminal of the second speaker.
4. Connect the positive terminal of the second speaker to the positive terminal of the amplifier.

Method 2 of 2: Connect speakers in parallel

1. For a parallel connection of two speakers, the resulting impedance is half the impedance of the speakers (assuming the speakers have the same impedance). Example: You have the same two speakers, but the amplifier has an output of 4 ohms. In this case, connect the speakers in parallel because the impedance would be 8/2 = 4 ohms, again corresponding to the amplifier.
2. Connect the negative terminal (-) of the amplifier to the negative terminal of speaker 1.
3. Connect the negative pole of speaker 1 to the negative pole of speaker 2.
4. Connect the positive pole (+) of the amplifier to the positive pole of the speaker 1.
5. Connect the positive pole of speaker 1 to the positive pole of speaker 2.

Tips

• You can also connect more than two speakers in parallel. If they have the same impedance, the resulting impedance is the impedance of one speaker divided by the number of speakers. The impedance of three 8 ohm speakers connected in parallel is 2.7 ohms.
• You can connect more than two speakers in series - the impedance will be added as well. Thus, the impedance of one 8 ohm speaker and two 16 ohm speakers connected in series is 40 ohms.
• Never tie two wires together at the amplifier, for example positive (+) from speaker 1 and positive (+) from speaker 2 both to the same positive (+) of the amplifier or the same negative (-) terminal.

Warnings

• If the impedance of the speakers is too low, you can damage the amplifier if you try to connect it.
• Check your amplifier's owner's manual for exceptions, variations and warnings - otherwise it can be an expensive lesson.