You can easily connect 4 speakers to a 2 channel amplifier just by keeping in mind the impedance of speakers and dividing the power equally to both the channels.
There are both methods available to connect 4 speakers i.e series and parallel. Which method to use depends upon your speakers and amplifier. Both the speaker and amplifier have impedance and limits that cannot be crossed to stay safe.
When we connect in series, it increases the impedance and when connected in parallel impedance decreases. Keeping an eye at maximum and minimum impedance of the amplifier you have to stay within these limits. If overloaded, it may cause damage or bad experience.
Related: Connecting 6 Speakers To a 2 Channel Amp
Know whether to use parallel or series method
First of all, determine the maximum impedance and minimum impedance of the amplifier you are going to connect with the speakers.
If the load is less than the minimum impedance it will damage the amplifier. So make sure that the load is neither less nor more than the limits.
You can know the impedance of the amplifier from the manual or on the label and same for the speakers.
Now add the impedance of two speakers that you have to connect with one channel. If the sum of impedance of both speakers lies within the limits of amplifier, connect them in series circuit.
For example, if you have 2 speakers each of 4-ohm. As you know when we connect in series, powers are added up. So the sum of both the powers will be 8-ohm. Now if your amplifier handles 8 ohm per channel it is ok to connect in series.
If the speakers cannot be connected in series, the other method is parallel.
Multiply the impedance of two speakers and divide them by their sum. If the answer lies within the limits, then the speakers can be connected in parallel.
If the impedance does not come within the limits from both the ways, you cannot connect them with that amplifier.
Once you have known which method you are going to use to connect them, you can wire them by following the steps below.
Related: How To Wire 2 Channels To 1 Speaker
Wiring 4 Speakers in Series
In series circuit, positive terminal of one speaker is connected to the negatve terminal of other.
Suppose we connect two speakers of left side in series. Connect wire from the positive terminal of amplifier to positive terminal of first speaker.
Now connect wire from negative terminal of first speaker to positive terminal of the second speaker. Then connect wire from negative terminal of seond speaker to negative terminal of left of the amplifier.
In this way, left channel of amplifier is connected with two speakers in series. Repeat the process for the right channel and connect two speakers. So, all the four speakers will get connected in series with 2 channel amplifier.
Series wiring is our first method to connect 4 speakers to a 2 channel amp. The next method is parallel wiring.
Related: How To Wire a 4 Channel Amp To 6 Speakers
Wiring 4 Speakers in Parallel
Suppose we want to connect the left channel with 2 speakers in parallel.
Connect wire from the negative terminal of left channel to the negative terminal of the first speaker. Then connect wire from the positive terminal of left channel to the positive terminal of first speaker. In this way corresponding terminals of left channel and first speaker will be connected to each other.
Now make a connection from first speaker to the second speaker in the same way. In this way, two speakers will be connected to one channel in parallel.
So, all the four speakers are connected to 2 channels of amp in parallel. The second and last method to connect 4 speakers to a 2 channel amp is parallel wiring.
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Tips For Wiring 4 Speakers To 2 Channel Amplifier
- Never try to overload the amplifier as it will just damage it.
- The sound you get depends upon the power of the amplifier and you cannot increase it much just by increasing the speakers. If you want more sound you should upgrade your amplifier as well with speakers.
- Don’t neglect a bit in checking impedance if you want your audio system to work for a long time.
- Always keep the load of amplifier less than the limit to get a clear sound as well as bass. Full load or overload also creates distortion killing your all the joy.
- By following all the instructions, you can easily connect 4 speakers to a 2 channel amp without killing any equipment or losing sound quality.
