How to Hook Up Dual Voice Coil Speakers?

Last Updated on January 6, 2024 by Nurul

If you’re an audio enthusiast or enjoy the powerful and quality sound, you may have come across dual voice coil speakers. These speakers are designed to provide a more flexible and customizable audio experience, particularly regarding wiring options.

In this article, we’ll explore what dual voice coil speakers are and how you can properly hook them up to your audio system for optimal performance.

Understanding Dual Voice Coil Speakers

Dual voice coil (DVC) speakers have two voice coils, each with its terminals. Unlike single voice coil (SVC) speakers, DVC speakers offer more wiring options, allowing you to configure them differently to match your specific requirements.

Each voice coil on a DVC speaker has a similar impedance, usually measured in ohms. It’s important to note that the impedance affects the performance of your audio system. Incorrect wiring can result in poor sound quality or damage to your speakers or amplifiers.

Wiring Options for DVC Speakers

When it comes to wiring dual voice coil speakers, you have several options. The two most common configurations are series and parallel wiring.

Series Wiring

In series wiring, you connect the positive terminal of one voice coil to the negative terminal of the other and then click the remaining positive and negative terminals to your amplifier or receiver. This configuration is typically used when you have a lower-impedance DVC speaker (e.g., 2 ohms) and want to match it to your amplifier’s impedance.

Positive Terminal Negative Terminal
Speaker A Positive Speaker B Negative
Speaker B Positive Amplifier/Receiver Positive
Amplifier/Receiver Negative Speaker A Negative

Series wiring increases the overall impedance seen by the amplifier, ensuring compatibility with higher-impedance amplifiers. However, remember that this wiring configuration halves the power delivered to each voice coil, reducing the total power handling.

Parallel Wiring

In parallel wiring, you connect the positive terminals of both voice coils together and the negative terminals together. The remaining terminals are then connected to your amplifier or receiver. This configuration is suitable for DVC speakers with a higher impedance (e.g., 4 or 8 ohms).

Positive Terminal Negative Terminal
Speaker A Positive Speaker B Positive
Amplifier/Receiver Positive Amplifier/Receiver Negative
Speaker A Negative Speaker B Negative

Parallel wiring allows you to maintain the overall impedance while providing more power to each voice coil, enhancing performance. Ensure that your amplifier can handle the total impedance of the speakers when using this configuration.

Other Wiring Configurations

Other options exist besides series and parallel wiring, such as independent wiring and bridging. Independent wiring involves using separate channels of an amplifier or receiver to power each voice coil individually. Bridging, on the other hand, combines the two channels of a stereo amplifier to create a single high-powered channel for a DVC speaker. These advanced wiring techniques require a thorough understanding of your audio system and are beyond the scope of this article.

Frequently Asked Questions On How To Hook Up Dual Voice Coil Speakers?

Can You Connect Dual Voice Coil Speakers To A Car Stereo?

Yes, you can connect dual voice coil speakers to a car stereo. It just requires proper wiring and configuration.

How Do I Wire Dual Voice Coil Speakers In Series?

To wire dual voice coil speakers in series, connect the positive terminal of one coil to the negative terminal of the other coil. Then, click the remaining positive terminal to the amp’s positive terminal and the negative terminal to the amp’s negative terminal.

What Are The Advantages Of Using Dual Voice Coil Speakers?

Dual voice coil speakers offer increased power handling, more flexibility in wiring configurations, and better sound quality than single voice coil speakers.

Can I Wire Dual Voice Coil Speakers In Parallel?

You can wire dual voice coil speakers in parallel by connecting both positive and negative terminals. This configuration allows for a lower impedance, resulting in more power output from the amplifier.

Conclusion

Hooking up dual voice coil speakers may seem complicated at first, but it provides sound customization and flexibility advantages. Understanding the different wiring options like series and parallel wiring is crucial to ensure compatibility and optimal performance.

Remember to always consult the user manual of your speakers and amplifier for specific instructions and limitations. By following the correct wiring method, you can enjoy the full potential of your dual voice coil speakers and create an immersive audio experience.

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