Dual Voice Coil Subwoofer Question
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=28824
Printed Date: May 15, 2025 at 5:50 PM
Topic: Dual Voice Coil Subwoofer Question
Posted By: pspadotto
Subject: Dual Voice Coil Subwoofer Question
Date Posted: March 22, 2004 at 12:47 AM
I was hoping someone might be able to help me out with this question: I'm setting up my ford focus with a 2 ohm DVC subwoofer. I have a 2 channel amplifier that runs:
200 watts RMS x2 channels @ 4 ohms
300 watts RMS x2 channels @ 2 ohms
400 watts RMS x1 channel (bridged) @ 4 ohms. Now, I read on crutchfield that a DVC subwoofer can have an individual channel from an amp connected to each coil, rather than a bridged single channel. If this is true, and I connect each of my 300 watt channels (@ 2 ohms each) to a separate voice coil, will the output on the subwoofer be combined to 600 watts? If so, I'd much rather do that than settle for the 400 watts at 4 ohms bridged. -Pete
Replies:
Posted By: thapimpfromchi
Date Posted: March 22, 2004 at 2:38 AM
Yea it's true. You can wire each VC to a seperate amp, but I wouldnt recommend it. It's alot harder than it sounds. you have to get crossovers (i think) to make sure each amp gets the exact sam signal, and puts out the same signal. If they arent operating in sync, bye bye woofer. But, since you are willing to get another amp, why dont you just go out and buy an amp that has some more power, and wire both VC's to one amp?
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1990 Honda Civic HB:
Clarion DXZ545MP H.U.
2- 6.5" Power Acoustik interiors
Diamond Audio 600.1 amp
Diamond Audio 15" M6MKII
Pyramid PB881X 4 CH. Amp
Posted By: pspadotto
Date Posted: March 22, 2004 at 8:06 AM
Actually, I was more thinking that I would wire each channel from my existing 2 channel amp to a separate voice coil...is that possible? And what would the wattage work out to, given the RMS listed above?
Posted By: DYohn
Date Posted: March 22, 2004 at 8:22 AM
If you wire each 2-ohm VC to its own channel, with the amp specs you list you would deliver 300 watts to each VC. The trick to making this work without tearing your sub apart is to make sure you are sending the exact same signal to each channel of the amp. If your HU has a mono sub output, use a Y-cable and split it to each channel. DO NOT run a stereo signal to the amp.
Posted By: pspadotto
Date Posted: March 22, 2004 at 11:52 AM
That makes a lot of sense, and it was along the lines that I was thinking. Now, with 300 watts going to each voice coil, what is the total wattage being put out by the sub, 300 or 600? Thanks again!
Posted By: DYohn
Date Posted: March 22, 2004 at 1:18 PM
The total wattage being CONSUMED by the sub will be 600 watts at full volume, assuming the amp ratuings are correct. The power OUTPUT will be measured in decibels.
Posted By: forbidden
Date Posted: March 22, 2004 at 1:42 PM
I would disagree with the amps listed power rating, usually the 4 ohm bridged mono rating is equal to or slightly more than the 2 ohm stereo load. What amp is this that you have, let's double check it's "specs". Post the sub for us as well please. ------------- Top Secret, I can tell you but then my wife will kill me.
Posted By: thapimpfromchi
Date Posted: March 22, 2004 at 2:24 PM
hey man, using the mono wire and using a y splitter, wouldnt he have to reverse the signal to one vc? I had set up 2 SVC subs, with a single rca and a Y splitter, but it sounded horrible. i reversed the one speaker and it was great.
-------------
1990 Honda Civic HB:
Clarion DXZ545MP H.U.
2- 6.5" Power Acoustik interiors
Diamond Audio 600.1 amp
Diamond Audio 15" M6MKII
Pyramid PB881X 4 CH. Amp
Posted By: pspadotto
Date Posted: March 22, 2004 at 2:29 PM
The Amp is a Visonik V217SX. I can't for the life of me remember the model number of the sub right now. I'll post it after I get home from work.
Posted By: DYohn
Date Posted: March 22, 2004 at 2:38 PM
That amp is actually more like 2 X 150 or maybe 200 watts into 2 ohms. It may say "800 watts" on it, but that is a load of, err, buffalo flush.
Posted By: pspadotto
Date Posted: March 22, 2004 at 4:04 PM
Yeah, I knew it wasn't 800. I actually had a friend of mine pick an amp up for me, because he said he "knew a guy..." and it turns out I got hosed in the end. I was TRYING to make the most out of the, well, piece of buffalo flush, but I'm less and less inclined to use this particular amp the more we discuss it here. My sub claims that it has an RMS wattage of 700 watts, and I've been trying to get as close to that as possible. I actually have another amp that's rated for 560 watts RMS bridged that I'm probably going to use instead. Do you think that that's not enough to drive the sub? I have a feeling that I should buy a good mono amp and be done with it...but I paid enough for the garbage I already have. 8 (
Posted By: DYohn
Date Posted: March 22, 2004 at 4:16 PM
560 watts should be plenty. What's the amp?
Posted By: stevdart
Date Posted: March 22, 2004 at 4:24 PM
You can't push an amplifier past its limits. It is rated at 2 ohm stereo...that is MAX, (although it will work more comfortably at a 4 ohm stereo impedence). 2 ohm stereo is equal to 4 ohm bridged mono. A 2 ohm DVC subwoofer has 2 voice coils each rated at 2 ohm. These two voice coils should be connected on the speaker itself. You cannot wire them in parallel, because it will wind up as a 1 ohm load, which your amp will not drive. So you wire the two coils in series, and the result will be a 4 ohm load which you can bridge onto your amp. Just connect the + of one coil to the - of the other coil. Then connect the other + to the subwoofer +connection on the jackplate...do the same with the other -. That's a series connection. The jackplate will then provide a + and a - for connection to the amp as a 4 ohm load. The 4 ohm load onto the amp in a bridged configuration will make the amp work as hard as it is capable of working. That is what you are trying to achieve. You would be better off forgetting about y-cables in this case. There is no need to over-complicate your install to try to tweak out some magic "extra" power. Manufacturers derive the power ratings in some different ways. But an amp has a definitive limit to the amount of power it can produce. Don't go by numbers. Just hook it up right and enjoy the sounds.
Posted By: pspadotto
Date Posted: March 22, 2004 at 5:18 PM
The sub is a Power Acoustik FUBR Series 1800-Watt 12" 2 Ohm DVC. The company rates the RMS on the sub as 700. I'm hoping it'll give my little ford focus some personality. Sure can't hurt, that's for sure. 
Posted By: pspadotto
Date Posted: March 22, 2004 at 5:25 PM
The second amp I have is a Power Accoustic LT Series 980 Watt 2-Channel Amp. Says it'll run 280 Watts RMS per channel at 2 ohms, and 560 bridged.
Posted By: DYohn
Date Posted: March 22, 2004 at 5:28 PM
I'd run the PA amp before I ran a Visonic. The Visonic X-series seems to be pretty good, but unfortunatly that's not what you have. Be sure to wire the sub at 4-ohms when you conenct it to the bridged amp.
Posted By: pspadotto
Date Posted: March 22, 2004 at 5:38 PM
LOL...yeah...I don't think I'm going to let my friend do my shopping for me anymore. Ok, so, I'm going to go with the PA amp, and I already have the sub in a box and it's wired for 4 ohm. Thanks for all the input! It's been very helpful!
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