Low Impedance Speaker Systems – (4, 8, 16-ohms) Series & Parallel Connections
Series Speaker Connections
Series Speaker Connections are wired by connecting the (+) terminal of one speaker to the (–) terminal of the next speaker, and so on.
- Not used a whole lot with PA Systems (there aren’t many amplifiers that like to “see” a 24-ohm load).
- It’s best to use the same model and impedance rated speakers when using Series configurations.
- With Series connections, the speaker impedances add. Ex: if you have 3 each / 8-ohm speakers in series, the total impedance will add up to 24-ohms (3 X 8 = 24).
- The formula for Series Connections is ZT (Total) = Z1 + Z2 + Z3
Z = Impedance
Series Speaker Connections – Video Clip!
Parallel Speaker Connections
Parallel Speaker Connections are made by connecting the (+) terminal of one speaker to the (+) terminal of the next speaker, and so on.
- Parallel Speaker connections are used 99.9% of the time in the audio world.
- It is also recommended to use the same model / impedance speakers.
- If you follow the “standard” of connecting only 2-each speaker’s per amplifier channel, and understand the speaker’s impedance rating, there will be no need to use the “Parallel” impedance formula shown below.
- The Parallel Speaker Connections Formula is mainly used when connecting 3 or more speakers in Parallel.
- The formula for Parallel Connections is not as easy to use as for Series Connections, but there is a simplified method for figuring out parallel connections (see examples below).
The formula above is used mainly when there are 3 or more speakers being wired up in Parallel. Since the majority of Parallel connections are just 2 speakers being wired up on a speaker line – an easier formula will be used – see notes below.
Example 1: If your power amplifier is rated at 4-ohms per channel, you can parallel two each / 8-ohm speakers on each 4-ohm channel. This is very likely the most used configuration used in the audio world.
The simplified version of the Parallel Connections formula would be: You have two each / 8-ohm speakers. You would divide the impedance of “one” of the speakers (which is 8-ohms) by the number of speakers (which is 2).
So, 8-ohms divided by 2 = 4-ohms. In Example 1, the amplifier would “see” 4-ohms per channel.
Example 2: If you have two each / 16-ohm speakers, you would divide the impedance of “one” of the speakers (Which is 16-ohms) by the number of speakers (which is 2).
So, 16-ohms divided by 2 = 8-ohms. In example 1, the amplifier would “see” 8-ohms per channel.
Parallel Speaker Connections – Video Clip!
Here is some information regarding Series / Parallel Speaker Connections – Refer to Video Clip below.
