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Series and Parallel Speaker Connections
Whenever connecting more than one speaker per channel to an amplier (regardless of the brand),
you must consider the way in which the amplier will be impacted by adding the additional speaker(s).
Additionally, speakers with dual voice coils also apply to this consideration. Two voice coils in a single
speaker also cause dierent reactions from an amplier depending on the way in which they connect to the
amplier.
The connection of more than one speaker per channel will tend to degrade the speaker’s frequency
response and may make the amplier run hot. For the best sonic results, use one speaker per amplier
channel. If you must connect more than one speaker per channel, there are two methods in which to do so:
Series or Parallel.
Series
A series connection is established when voice coils are connected in a
string – end to end – so there’s only one way for audio signals to ow “in”
and only one way for audio signals to ow “out”. For example, if you were to
series-connect two speakers to the front right channel of the amplier:
• The positive output terminal of the right channel connects to the positive
input post of the rst speaker.
• The negative input post of the rst speaker connects to the positive input
post of the second speaker.
• The negative input post of the second speaker connects to the negative
output terminal of the right channel.
The total impedance of speakers in series is found by adding their impedances together. For example, two
four ohm speakers in series is an eight ohm load. Series connections are easier on the amplier than parallel
connections as the total impedance is higher than driving a single speaker.
Parallel
A parallel circuit is established when voice coils are connected in a way
that there are multiple paths for audio signals to ow “in” and multiple paths
for audio signals to ow “out”. When speakers are connected in parallel, the
total resistance at the amplier is proportionally divided based on the value
of each individual voice coil resistance. The term “divided” simply means all
of the values together in parallel are a SMALLER value than each all by itself.
For example, if you were to parallel connect two speakers to the front right
channel of the amplier:
• The positive output terminal of the right channel connects to the positive input
post of the rst speaker and to the positive post of the second speaker.
• The negative output terminal of the right channel connects to the negative
input post of the rst speaker and to the negative post of the second speaker.
An example of a PARALLEL
connection between two
speakers
An example of a SERIES
connection between two
speakers