hooking up two amps to four subwoofers

Printed From: the12volt.com
Forum Name: Car Audio
Forum Discription: Car Stereos, Amplifiers, Crossovers, Processors, Speakers, Subwoofers, etc.
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=120100
Printed Date: April 30, 2024 at 6:05 PM

Topic: hooking up two amps to four subwoofers

Posted By: ncreaper247
Subject: hooking up two amps to four subwoofers
Date Posted: February 13, 2010 at 2:51 PM

Hey everyone. I am currently in the process of expanding audio system in my Escort, however I am not quite sure how to hook up extra amp I plan on getting. I drew up this diagram to help explain what I plan on doing:

posted_image

I added in question marks to the things I am unsure of. If anyone could help me fill in the blanks or correct me if I have drawn something wrong it would be very much appreciated :)

Also, I already know how I am going to hook up the subwoofers to the amps with proper impediance and what not, I just need some help getting the amps hook up.

Thanks.

-Andrew

Replies:

Posted By: ncreaper247
Date Posted: February 13, 2010 at 2:55 PM

Note:

The two amplifiers are both American Bass VFL 80.1 (1000w RMS @ 1 ohm) and the subwoofers are all American Bass XD 12 inch subs (2x4 Impediance, each sub 450w RMS)

Thanks again.

Posted By: ianarian
Date Posted: February 13, 2010 at 5:36 PM

The remote wire simply splits in "Y" fashion. Make 1/2 subs "L" ch and 3/4 subs "R" ch. To maintain bass in stereo. So, then put a "Y" adapter on each Lch/Rch sub out channels to feed both L+R rca inputs on EACH amp.(Providing its needed to optimize power, it should be) Both ground cables shall not exceed 18" and should be directly connected from each amp to a single common grounded location. Kapish?
For my info...you got a total of 8 2ohm coils?

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This is what I do for FUN!

Posted By: ncreaper247
Date Posted: February 14, 2010 at 10:29 AM

Yes, I have a total 8, 2ohm coils. As for the remote cable to split in a "Y" fashion, how would I go about doing that? Or can I just run two of them off the headunits remote out (one to each amp)?

Posted By: stevdart
Date Posted: February 14, 2010 at 10:58 AM

The second remote wire may be jumped from amp 1 to amp 2; that is the least amount of wiring needed. The most wiring needed would be to run two separate wires from the head unit, so that is not normally done. A "Y' connection can occur at any point along the wire; it is a parallel connection. It is accomplished by removing a short section of insulation from the wire, then soldering a second wire to that bare spot. Taping well with electrical tape when done.

Quite naturally, with the wires being as small as they are (for turn-on function), it is by far easiest to jump a wire from one amp to the other. Two wires can easily fit at amp 1.

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Build the box so that it performs well in the worst case scenario and, in return, it will reward you at all times.

Posted By: ncreaper247
Date Posted: February 14, 2010 at 1:07 PM

Alright thanks for the information. As for the grounds, just make sure they are both grounded to the same place on the chassis?

Posted By: ianarian
Date Posted: February 15, 2010 at 5:07 AM

Yes! for sure on the ground wires

Oh hey BTW, you'd like the full 1kw rms from the amp for the subs do you not? You meant to say you got 8- 4ohm coils posted_image

Minor oversight. I trust all the other provisions warranted on 2kw rms have been accounted for.

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This is what I do for FUN!

Posted By: ncreaper247
Date Posted: February 15, 2010 at 3:33 PM

Correct, I will have both sets of subwoofers (1 and 2) and (3 and 4) wired in parallel/parallel:

https://www.the12volt.com/caraudio/woofer_configurations.asp?Q=2&I=42 as seen in option 1.

That will give me 1 ohm resistance for each of the amps. Totaling 2000w RMS system power. Each subwoofer will be 50w overpowered but i know those subs can handle it posted_image

Posted By: z03mz03m
Date Posted: February 18, 2010 at 10:22 PM

ianarian wrote:

I trust all the other provisions warranted on 2kw rms have been accounted for.

I think he is hoping you have done the BIG 3 and upgraded your alternator or have a really nice battery(s).

Posted By: ncreaper247
Date Posted: February 23, 2010 at 1:35 PM

Ah ok. My mistake. Yes that will be accounted for and taken care of.