|
This topic comprises 2 pages: 1 2
|
Author
|
Topic: Wiring Subwoofers in parallel
|
|
Paul G. Thompson
The Weenie Man
![](http://www.film-tech.com/cgi-bin/paulpics.cgi)
Posts: 4718
From: Mount Vernon WA USA
Registered: Nov 2000
|
posted 02-16-2003 06:00 PM
As far as the subwoofers are concerned, either way would work, as long as the wire is heavy enough.
What size wire are you using, and how long is the run? If it is AWG-12 or smaller, I definately would use both runs, one for each speaker. If it were AWG-10 or AWG-8, do as you please, but since the runs are in place, you might as well use them anyway. The higher the damping factor the amplifier looks at, the better it will be.
Be careful about the surrounds. Presuming each surround speaker has an impedance of 8-Ohms, connection all six in parallel will force the amplifier to look at around a 1-Ohm load. Most (if not all) amplifiers that I know of will not tolerate that type of a load. There are many amplifiers that will handle a 2-Ohm load, but I would suggest you check the data sheets on your amplifier to see what it will and what it will not handle for a load.
Bring all six "home runs" in the booth, use a barrier strip and wire it for a series/parallel configuration to keep the load at or slightly above what the minimum load specifications are of the amplifier, and don't go any lower than that.
If you are using a dual channel amplifier, consideration should be given to splitting the surrounds. Use one side of the amp to drive the left surrounds, and the other side to drive the right surrounds.
Remember - phasing of your speakers is extremely important.
Edit: I just re-read your post. I guess you don't have subwoofer runs after all. In this case, I would use 8-AWG as a single subwoofer run, and terminate the speakers accordingly. Some will say 10AWG is OK, but the heavier the better. Make sure you use twisted stranded wire. Romex will not do. Solid conductor wire should not be used, either. Consult a good electrical contractor to make sure what you do meets NEC codes for your application.
| IP: Logged
|
|
|
|
Paul G. Thompson
The Weenie Man
![](http://www.film-tech.com/cgi-bin/paulpics.cgi)
Posts: 4718
From: Mount Vernon WA USA
Registered: Nov 2000
|
posted 02-16-2003 07:36 PM
If you are using a single amplifier or a dual amplifier operating in the bridged mode, the easiest way I know is to series connection of the rights, and then series connection of the lefts. Then parallel the lefts to the rights, and the amplifier will then see a 6-Ohm load. There are other things you can do also. But that'll cost some money, and I don't really see any benefit in it.
Steve Guttag, John Allen, Mark, Gordon, and a few others might have some better ideas, let's just see what they have to say. But, that's what I would do.
| IP: Logged
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
All times are Central (GMT -6:00)
|
This topic comprises 2 pages: 1 2
|
Powered by Infopop Corporation
UBB.classicTM
6.3.1.2
The Film-Tech Forums are designed for various members related to the cinema industry to express their opinions, viewpoints and testimonials on various products, services and events based upon speculation, personal knowledge and factual information through use, therefore all views represented here allow no liability upon the publishers of this web site and the owners of said views assume no liability for any ill will resulting from these postings. The posts made here are for educational as well as entertainment purposes and as such anyone viewing this portion of the website must accept these views as statements of the author of that opinion
and agrees to release the authors from any and all liability.
|