Bridging

[Twista 10+ year member]

Ok, i'm trying to settle an argument. Will bridging a 2 channel amplifier to push 2 subwoofers do anything to power output as to just running each off their seperate channels?

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[n2audio 5,000+ posts]

Probably not. Depends on what subs and amp you're using. I'll assume the amp is the standard 2 ohms stereo stable and 4 ohms bridged.

If the subs are 4 ohms a piece then you can't gain anything by bridging to run them both because you'd have to wire them at 8 ohms which will give you the same power to each as running them on independent channels. And if you wire them parallel at 2 ohms you'd overheat the amp.

 

[helotaxi 5,000+ posts]

The answer as usual is "it depends." If the subs are 4 ohm and the amp is only stable at 4 ohms bridged, then no. If the amp is 1 ohm stereo stable and 2 ohms mono stable, then the power to each will be theoretically four times what it would get wired in stereo.

 

[jaw041383 10+ year member]

the answer is yes and no. if ur amp can handle the ohm load at what it would be bridged, then yes it will put out more power. but if ur amp cant handle the ohm load then u just cant do it at all.

 

[Twista 10+ year member]

ok i have two orion 12" 2 ohm subs and a 2 channel 500x1 memphis 2 ohm amp is it helping to bridge it?

 

[n2audio 5,000+ posts]

You could bridge it, but since it sounds like you're running them at 2 ohms stereo they're already getting optimal power from the amp - 2 ohm stereo and 4 ohm mono will give you the same power per speaker.