Wiring a Subwoofer--Some Help Please

[Robert Coats]

I have a dedicated 200w amp in my van that used to power two 8" subwoofers, both of which have died.

Now, I have a single, 10" subwoofer; it is s single-coil, 1-channel unit.

How do I connect it to the 200w stereo amp? Note: the amp only provides switching for 2/4 channel. Is it advisible to bridge or somehow wire the amp to take it's stereo input and output to a single subwoofer? Is it a simple matter of just combining the two (+) leads and the two (-) leads and connecting them to the (+) and (-) inputs of the subwoofer, or what?

Or, should I take it back to the store and get a dual-coil subwoofer, and an enclosure to accept a true stereo output from the amp?

Audio-quality wise, will a dual-channel sound better than a single channel sub?

Finally, if I do combine the output leads of the sub's amp, will such a connection "backfeed" through the system and make the rest of the circuit "mono?"

[Willem Fick]

Your ears cannot detect stereo separation under 100Hz or so, so there is no benefit to be derived from stereo subs as far as this is concerned.

In as far as bridging is concerned; from what I understand your amp can either run in 4 channel mode, or by flicking a switch, in 2 channel mode. If this is so, the switch actually bridges the 4 channels into 2, and thus means that these 2 bridged channels cannot be bridged again. Their leads need be kept separate, so don't twist them together, unless you are keen on a new amp!

Your best options would be:

1) Switch the amp into 2 channel mode, run the 10" off the one channel, and don't use the second channel, or
2)Buy a twin coil woofer, and run each of the two channels through a seperate voicecoil, or
3) Go back to using two subwoofers - 8" units will give good punch, with less bass, whereas 10" units will be less punchy, but with (slightly!) more bass.

[greglepore]

You cannot connect the two channels together. However, some 2 channel amps are externally bridgable, usually by using the positive lead from each channel. Without knowing what amp you have, its difficult for the true experts to chime in.

One channel subs are fine. Dual voice coil is the option if non-bridgeable.

[RANDY P]

Once you bridge the amp from 4 channels to 2, just remember to leave only ONE RCA plugged in - do not send signal to the channel that doesn't have a speaker connected.

Bad for amp.

rjp

[Robert Coats]

I think the best solution is to go with a dual-coil sub. I can use all the available power from the amp, get both audio signals (L +R) from the SUBWOOFER out of my graphic equalizer, and still have the single 10" enclosure.

Thanks guys.