How to connect speakers to an amplifier in a car

The presence of a speaker system is an integral part of any car. However, many motorists are not satisfied with the standard installation and they change the equipment according to their preferences. In order for the sound to be of high quality, properly selected equipment is not enough. Proper installation and configuration of the entire system is required.

There are several options for installing audio equipment. The choice of one or another depends on how many output channels are available on the receiver, the location and number of speakers, and whether or not to use a subwoofer. There are three methods that can be distinguished:

1. Consistent. Used when mounting speakers of the same type. Most commonly used are broadband low-frequency speakers. This option allows you to create a four-channel system, while effectively distributing the power of the speakers.
2. Parallel. It is used when connecting speakers with high resistance to the receiver, the impedance of which is designed for less power.
3. Serial-parallel. This option is applicable when it is not possible to achieve the desired sound in the first two ways.

The easiest way is when two speakers are connected to a two-channel receiver, four to a four-channel receiver, and so on. But often the ability to mount another device is missing, and the number of speakers needs to be increased. In such cases, one of the above methods is used.

ATTENTION! The choice of how to connect the speakers to the amplifier depends on the minimum resistance value of the amplifier.

Serial connection

In this embodiment, the columns are connected one after another. It is very important to observe the rule here - the connection is made by connecting the positive terminal of one speaker to the negative terminal of the other. When all the elements are connected in one chain, the total impedance indicator increases, while the output power begins to fall.

This method is most often used when it is necessary to reduce the output parameters of the elements, for example, to reduce the power of the supporting center or rear channel. The sequential method allows you to assemble a chain of any number of speakers. Moreover, their total resistance should not exceed a value of 16 ohms. This is because there are very few amplifiers with a large impedance index.

IMPORTANT! In the sequential version, it is forbidden to connect speakers with different impedances, since otherwise each of them will sound with a different volume!

To correctly assemble the chain, you need to use a simple formula:

A = A1 + A2

where A1 and A2 are the column impedance values, and A is the impedance value that will be obtained by collecting the chain.

ATTENTION! This formula is used for all three speaker connection options.

The connection itself is as follows:

• the first column is connected negatively to the positive channel of the second channel;
• plus terminal, the first speaker clings to the minus of the device;
• the second speaker is connected with a positive voltage terminal.

If a chain of several columns is connected, the installation will be carried out according to a similar scheme.

Parallel connection

This option is the exact opposite of the serial. With the parallel method, the impedance value will fall, and the output power will increase. The number of speakers used will depend on the receiver's ability to operate at low load rates, as well as on the amount of power used by the speakers. The most common receiver models can work with an impedance of 1-2 ohms. A device that can work with a resistance of 0.5 ohms is very difficult to find.

ATTENTION! If you connect a resistance to the amplifier that is lower than its rated data, the device may be damaged!

The total impedance value is calculated by the following formula:

A = (A1xA2) / (A1 + A2)

where A is the total resistance value that will be obtained after collecting the entire chain of elements, A1 and A2 are the impedance values ​​of the connected columns.

When collecting the chain, the connection is carried out in compliance with the phase - the negative terminal of one column is connected to the positive terminal of the second device.

Parallel-serial connection

This option allows you to achieve the desired sound quality. This is done by combining acoustics and matching it with the receiver in terms of impedance.

Also, parallel-serial connection is the most common way. This is because it allows you to fully adjust the value of the power supplied to the device and at the same time avoid excessive load on the amplifier.

The method is combined, that is, the connection diagram is a parallel and serial connection of speakers.

It is performed as follows:

• negative terminal A1 is connected to positive terminal A2;
• negative contact A3 is connected to positive;
• plus terminals A1 and A3 must be brought to one channel;
• negative contacts A2 and A4 - in one negative channel;
• the received contacts are connected to the receiver, and the correct polarity must be observed.

When using two-channel equipment, the subwoofer will be connected in the same way. If the amplifier is four-channel, then the sub must be connected using a separate bridge.

When installing acoustics, do not forget that all the terminals and wires used must be of high quality. Polarity must also be strictly observed.

If you strictly follow all the connection diagrams, then you can easily achieve high-quality sound in the car radio.