Wiring configuration for 6 speakers

[TravisFling]

I have an amp that can handle a 2 ohm load and 6 4 ohm speakers. How do I wire them (some combination of series and parallel) to get a 2 ohm load?

[AirTool]

RE: Wiring configuration for 6 speakers

IIRC in series R total = R1 + R2 + R3 + .... + Rn

in parallel 1/Rtotal = (1/R1) + (1/R2) + (1/R3) + ... + (1/Rn)

Play around with it. I don't think it will work. How many channels do you have?

AirTool

[TravisFling]

RE: Wiring configuration for 6 speakers

2 channels... I guess I'll have to run some off the headunit, or something. that's a real bummer.

Can I run 1 channel running four speakers in series and then just connect the other two in parralel to the amp? Or can you not mix ohm loads accross channels?

[RJ]

RE: Wiring configuration for 6 speakers

Ive got 6 speakers on 2 channels. This is not what most would recomend but it works for me. I'm running a Kicker 650.4, I connected 3 4ohm Kicker impulse speakers each on channels 1 and 2. I wired 2 in series and the third in parallel. 4ohm + 4ohms - 4ohms? Im guessing it would be in 4 to 6 ohm range. Im currently only running this single 4 channel amp pushing these 6 speakers on the 2 channels and a 12" sub bridged on the other two. It works great for now.

[TravisFling]

RE: Wiring configuration for 6 speakers

A quick update for those who are interested... I have gotten some advice that you can hook up all three in parallel by adding a 250 microfarad capacitor to the positive lead of one of the speakers, which not only acts as a passive equalizer, cutting the bass to your midrange (!!!) but ALSO increases the resistance making the total ohm load around 2-4, or somewhere in the 3 range!!! YEE-HAW!! I will give it a try...

RJ - How do you like that Kicker 650.4? That's the exact amp I'm getting, and boy am I excited!!

[gride300]

RE: Wiring configuration for 6 speakers

from the factory the front polk's are run off the h/u. the rear are run at 2ohms on one channel and then the sub is bridged i believe. i think it is absolutely garbage to so poorly amplify such a nice speakers which is why i run 4 amps, dedicated jl marine sub amp, clarion 2 and 4 ch marine for all 6 in boat speakers, and a kicker 4 ch for my tower. also, running so many speakers on one channel cuts their power in half almost for each additional speaker

[RJ]

Hey Travis I am very happy with the 650.4 it cranks!
I installed the amp earlier this spring, Here is a pic. I just finished putting in the LEDs. I plan on running NVS tower speakers but Im not there yet....$$$$ Yellow_Flash_Colorz:, but when I do I will go with a second KICKER amp.

[TravisFling]

Hey Gride300... The power being cut actually HELPS me out a great deal. My Polk's are rated at 60 watts RMS, which is pretty typical for a 6.5/6.75 so 170w / 3 is perfect for my application, but I do agree that stock the speakers are way underpowered. I think it's a liability thing, or that old people don't like loud music. Either way... I'm building all this from scratch being that I have a 1989 2001 boat, so it leaves it pretty open. I wanted to get back to one amp for the time being, that could power everything that I have. I may put one of my existing amps back in once I get it all the tower speakers up, but I really wanted to get back to one amp.... Anyway, I hope that makes sense.