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8
Connections
CONNECTING THE
SPEAKERS
You can connect one or more 4-, 8- or 16-
ohm speakers to the amplifier, with or with-
out transformers. To ensure equal volume
from each speaker, all connected speakers
should have the same impedance rating.
Proper phasing is important when you use
more than one speaker in the same room or
area. Out-of-phase speakers can lose up to
one-half of their potential volume, and can
have a significantly decreased bass effect.
Most speaker terminals are color-coded or
have a mark that indicates the terminal’s po-
larity. Usually, terminals with positive polarity
are red or have a plus symbol (+), and termi-
nals with negative polarity are black or have
a minus symbol (–). Phasing is correct when
you connect + to + and – to –.
Determining Total Speaker
Impedance
Before you connect speakers to the amplifi-
er, you must determine the total speaker im-
pedance.
Caution:
A total speaker impedance higher
than 16 ohms or lower than 4 ohms can
damage your amplifier or speakers.
In determining the total speaker impedance,
you must first determine if you are connect-
ing the speakers in series, parallel, or a se-
ries/parallel combination.
Note:
For the best results when connecting
speakers (in series or parallel), only use
speakers that have the same impedance.
• Speakers are connected in series when
the first speaker’s positive terminal is
connected to the next speaker’s nega-
tive terminal.
Determine the total impedance of
speakers you want to connect in series
by adding up the individual impedances
of all the connected speakers. For
example, if you want to connect two 8-
ohm speakers in series, add 8 (the
impedance of one speaker) plus 8 (the
impedance of the other speaker) for a
total speaker impedance of 16 ohms
(see “Connecting Two Speakers In
Series” on Page 9).
• Speakers are connected in parallel
when all the speakers’ negative termi-
nals are connected together and all their
positive terminals are connected
together.
Determine the total impedance of
speakers you want to connect in parallel
by dividing the impedance of one
speaker by the number of speakers. For
example, if you plan to connect two 8-
ohm speakers in parallel, divide 8 (the
impedance of one speaker) by 2 (the
number of speakers) for a total speaker
impedance of 4 ohms (see “Connecting
Two Speakers In Parallel” on Page 10).
• If you are connecting more than two
speakers using only series or only paral-
lel connections, the total impedance
might exceed the amplifier’s maximum
impedance (16 ohms) or fall below its
minimum impedance (4 ohms).
For example, if you connect four 8-ohm
speakers:
• In series, the total impedance is 32
ohms (8 + 8 + 8 + 8 = 32). This
exceeds the maximum rating.
• In parallel, the total impedance is 2
ohms (8 divided by 4 = 2). This falls
below the minimum rating.
32-2003.fm Page 8 Tuesday, March 28, 2000 10:45 AM