Series then parallel versus Parallel then series wiring

[gunz4me 10+ year member]

I just was wondering why most sites seem to recommend wiring two 4 ohm DVC subs in series then connecting them in parallel to achieve a final 4 ohm nominal impedance?

For example, check here: http://www.the12volt.com/caraudio/woofer_configurations.asp?Q=2&I=42

Why wouldn't the third option of paralleling the coils on each sub then externally wiring in series work to achieve a 4 ohm load off of two 4 ohm DVC subwoofers? Correct me if I am wrong, but paralleling each sub should give me 2 ohms nominal per sub, then wiring them externally in series should bring it back up to 4 ohms nominal, correct?

I ask because I was initially going to use a 1 ohm stable amp to run my subs, but now I am thinking about using my cheaper 4 ohm stable amp to run them. The subs in question are two JL Audio 10w3v2 D4 subs.

ETA: I am getting lazy and I don't want to pull the subwoofers out of the box.... Again!

Click to read more...

 

[FurbiesAndBeans 10+ year member]

Because most monoblocks parallel the speakers inside the amp. Therefore, you can wire your subs as if they were 2 channels, but really they are paralleled.

 

[gunz4me 10+ year member]

Only problem is I was not planning on using monoblocks. I was going to use an older Orion HCCA amp that is 1 ohm mono stable, but I am thinking of using my cheaper RF Punch 5002 that is 4 ohm mono stable or 2 ohm stereo stable. Heck, I guess I could always wire them in stereo too (lol).

 

[FurbiesAndBeans 10+ year member]

i'd still parallel first rather than series because you have 4 ohm dvc. If you series them first, then that'd give u 8 ohms per speaker which means u can only go to 4 ohms. if you go with parallel, then you'd get 2 ohms per speakers, leaving you with an option to go either 4 ohms or 1 ohm.

Yea i know it's kinda against what i said earlier, but i realized they were 4 ohm dvc. If they were like 1 ohm dvc, then i'd series them first, then parallel.

 

[gunz4me 10+ year member]

Thanks for the reply.

I just find it odd that most sites don't recommend the parallel first then series method since it nets the same final nominal impedance.

 

[Immacomputer 10+ year member]

Most companies recommend wiring in series first because wiring two different subs in series while connected to the same amp will leave you with three connection points instead of two. Instead of just having two wires in the positive terminal and two in the negative, you have one wire in the positive, one in the negative, and then two wires twisted together outside of the amp. That loose connection could be a hazard and so they tell you to always end in a parallel connection to keep a wire from having to "float" away from the terminals.

Do whatever is easier for you.

 

[audioarsonal 10+ year member]

I have been told to series at the sub.

 

[helotaxi 5,000+ posts]

You don't series the subs if you can help it because the speakers will act as filters on one another and will also cause back EMF affecting the response of the system. With the drivers in parallel the amp acts as a shunt and keeps them from interfering with one another.

 

[squeak9798 5,000+ posts]

I generally agree with helotaxi.

While I've never seen any actual measurements to demonstrate the actual audible or measurable difference, if any, in practice.....it's at the very least a theoretically non-ideal situation to series a pair of drivers.

 

[ngsm13 5,000+ posts]

I generally agree with helotaxi.
While I've never seen any actual measurements to demonstrate the actual audible or measurable difference, if any, in practice.....it's at the very least a theoretically non-ideal situation to series a pair of drivers.

Yes, but again not really audible.

I had to series drivers when I had 6 10's to achieve a desirable end load, and I didn't have any problems with drivers, amps, or resultant sound.

nG

 

[R/T Pimp 10+ year member]

You don't series the subs if you can help it because the speakers will act as filters on one another and will also cause back EMF affecting the response of the system. With the drivers in parallel the amp acts as a shunt and keeps them from interfering with one another.

Exactly.

Simpler if you parallel the coils and then series the subs you will end up with very bad phase issues. One sub basically will be getting most of the power because when you series the subs with the coils paralleled all the power will go through the first subs coils before getting to the next sub. So you will heat the one sub up badly because all the power is going through (for example) 100 feet of 18 gauge wire being the voice coil then going to the next sub. Hope that makes more sense. Now if you are working with single voice coil setups it is not as noticeable but for a 2 sub set up it is very noticeable if you are running a lot of power.

 

[ngsm13 5,000+ posts]

Exactly.
Simpler if you parallel the coils and then series the subs you will end up with very bad phase issues. One sub basically will be getting most of the power because when you series the subs with the coils paralleled all the power will go through the first subs coils before getting to the next sub. So you will heat the one sub up badly because all the power is going through (for example) 100 feet of 18 gauge wire being the voice coil then going to the next sub. Hope that makes more sense. Now if you are working with single voice coil setups it is not as noticeable but for a 2 sub set up it is very noticeable if you are running a lot of power.

You are poorly mistaken.

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nG

 

[gunz4me 10+ year member]

Exactly.
Simpler if you parallel the coils and then series the subs you will end up with very bad phase issues. One sub basically will be getting most of the power because when you series the subs with the coils paralleled all the power will go through the first subs coils before getting to the next sub. So you will heat the one sub up badly because all the power is going through (for example) 100 feet of 18 gauge wire being the voice coil then going to the next sub. Hope that makes more sense. Now if you are working with single voice coil setups it is not as noticeable but for a 2 sub set up it is very noticeable if you are running a lot of power.

So in my scenario, would it be better to run the subs in 2 ohm stereo if I decide to use the cheaper amp or 1 ohm mono if i decide to use one of my Orion HCCA amps? After all, the Rockford Fosgate P5002 outputs the same stereo power @ 2 ohms as it does mono power @ 4 ohms whereas the Orion HCCA 225 or 250 that I have will do better at 1 ohm mono or .5 ohms stereo. Regardless, this would result in an all parallel connection therefore the theoretical phase issues would be nonexistent.

 

[helotaxi 5,000+ posts]

Don't listen to R/T Pimp. He fails at basic electrical theory. His explanation might be almost right...OK not really...if we were talking DC where current runs in one direction only, so there actually was a "first" and "second" load (though the basics of ohms law tell us that still doesn't matter) but with AC the direction of current travel is continuously changing.

In theory, the motion of coil in the magnetic gap of the sub generates its own voltage and thus current. This current has to go somewhere and with a series circuit the only place for it to go it back to amp through the other sub. This current changes the response of the other sub. In a parallel configuration, each sub has its own "direct" path back to the amp.

 

[ngsm13 5,000+ posts]

Don't listen to R/T Pimp. He fails at basic electrical theory. His explanation might be almost right...OK not really...if we were talking DC where current runs in one direction only, so there actually was a "first" and "second" load (though the basics of ohms law tell us that still doesn't matter) but with AC the direction of current travel is continuously changing.
In theory, the motion of coil in the magnetic gap of the sub generates its own voltage and thus current. This current has to go somewhere and with a series circuit the only place for it to go it back to amp through the other sub. This current changes the response of the other sub. In a parallel configuration, each sub has its own "direct" path back to the amp.

INdeed.

nG