To bridge or not to bridge?

[maltaudio 10+ year member]

Hi Guys

Car audio newbie here.

I have a Focal Solid 4 Amp and a Focal 165 VRS component speaker set.

I would like to know whether you would recommend bridging the speakers? I have no rear speakers, except a sub, which has its own dedicated monoblock amp

Here is some info on what I have

Amp info:

Frequency response 10Hz - 60kHz

Input sensitivity 0.2 - 5V

Maximum cross section of power cables 35mm2 - 2 AWG

Dimensions (HxWxD) 13/4 x 1113/16 x 77/8" (45x300x200 mm)

Signal/Noise ratio (1 Watt output) >80dB (A)

Nominal power measured at 14.4V continuously into 2 Ohms THD + N

THD + N @ 4Ohms 0.02% @ 1kHz

Signal/Noise ratio (RMS) > 100dB (A)

Damping factor @ 4 Ohms 50 to 1kHz

Input impedance 20 kOhms

High-pass filter 50 - 150Hz (12dB/oct.)

Low-pass filter 50 - 150Hz (12dB/oct.)

Remote control YES

Maximum cross section of speaker wires 10mm2 7 AWG

Fuse(s) 2 x 25A

Nominal power measured at 14.4V continuously into 4 Ohms THD + N

Power in bridged mode measured at 14.4V continuously into 4 Ohms THD + N

Component set info:

Nominal impedance 4 Ohms

Depth from wall shallow mounting: 56mm (2-3/16")

Max. power 120W

Nom. power 60W

Sensitivity (2.83V/1m) 93dB

Frequency response (+/-3dB) 70Hz - 28kHz

Magnet Neodymium

Voice coil 32mm (1.25")

Tweeter TNB tweeter, aluminum/magnesium inverted dome

Woofer 165mm (6.5")

Cut-out diameter 141mm (5.5")

Controls Tweeter level: 0, -3, -6dB

Product type 2 way kit

Type 2 way kits

Diameter 6'' 1/2

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[naughtyca 10+ year member]

You actually bridge to gain more wattage,

 

[maltaudio 10+ year member]

You actually bridge to gain more wattage,

is it safe to do considering the amp and components i have?

 

[keep_hope_alive Premium Member]

yep. bridge away.

just realize you have more power than you need. you'll notice an increase in impact and dynamics (good things)

 

[maltaudio 10+ year member]

If I were to use the formula on this website to set gains (Voltage current resistance and electric power general basic formulas calculations calculator formula of watts general electrical pie chart electricity calculation - electrical power formula equation general ohms law audio physics electricity electron), what would my ideal voltage be so I set gains correctly. (sorry am a car audio newbie!). If in bridged mode, would the Ohm be 2Ω per bridged or 4Ω channel?

 

[NIHL8ION]

If I were to use the formula on this website to set gains (Voltage current resistance and electric power general basic formulas calculations calculator formula of watts general electrical pie chart electricity calculation - electrical power formula equation general ohms law audio physics electricity electron), what would my ideal voltage be so I set gains correctly. (sorry am a car audio newbie!). If in bridged mode, would the Ohm be 2Ω per bridged or 4Ω channel?

Bridging you amp has Nothing at all to do with the impedance load the amp will run at... The amp will see whatever impedance load you have wired to it, and bridging will just increase the amp's output from 75w rms x4 @ 4 ohms up to 200w rms x2 @ 4 ohm stereo (Your comps are 4 ohms so that is what the amp will see)

Also... You will be running more power than your speakers actually need, so I am not certain I would match voltage of the input when setting gains, my guess is that this will need to be adjusted a bit lower ;-)