amp and ohm

hi i got a ? if i have 3 subs that are rated at 2 ohm (and i would like to put them at that ohm)and i have a amp that handles a 1 ohm load and gives alot more power could i set my 3 subs to rum at 2 ohm stable but then have the subs wire to the amp give a amp a 1 ohm load?i would really like to know so i won't waste money on 3 or 2 diferent amps.

Uh... no.  Subs are loads.  Their impedence (ohms) are fixed.  Amps deliver current into the load.  Amps can only operate into a load greater than their minimum stable rating.  So if your amp says it is "1-ohm stable" then you must place greater than one ohm load on it.  Connecting three 2-ohm subs to a single amp will place either a 6-ohm total load (all three in series) or a 0.66 ohm load (all three in parallel) on the amplifier.  Not a good thing.

I recomend you read through the basics section and the car audio introductory sections of this web site.  See links to the left.  Or, get help from a professional install shop in your area.  It's better to get help than to fry your equipment!

Cheers!

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what if you wired all 3 in series to get 6ohms, then bridged it on the amp.  wouldnt that give you 3ohms?  i think thats right, but its still early=).

sam1]w wrote:

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at if you wired all 3 in series to get 6ohms, then bridged it on the amp.  wouldnt that give you 3ohms?  i think thats right, but its still early=).

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No, it'll give you 6 ohms.  Conencting that to a stereo amp in bridged mode will place a 6-ohm load on the bridged amp.  But where I think you're going it each channel will operate at its 3-ohm rating.

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The *best* load you can obtain is in a series-parallel arrangement. Two of the subs would be placed in a parallel arrangement netting a 1 ohm load, then placing that with the third sub would bring you to three ohms.

The net load would be 3 ohms... This does not get you to the 2 ohms you are striving for. But does bring you as close as possible. This assumes you are wanting to use three subs though.

Remember, the load will vary with frequency and SPL.

Regards

EVIL Teken . . .

Teken, I'm trying to picture what you say here.  Say the 3 subs are in a box.  Number them 1,2 and 3.  1 and 2 are paralleled to each other.  Do you run series from 2 to 3?  Then from which speaker do you run wires to the box terminals?

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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.

Ok, let me try this:  1 and 2 are paralleled with each other.  2 neg goes to 3 pos.  3 neg goes to the box neg, and 1 pos goes to the box pos.  Will this give the 3 ohm load?

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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.

Placing two woofers in parallel and then one in series to achieve a 3-ohm amplifier load is not a good idea as one speaker will always be louder (the one in series.)

The circuit Tekken describes would be wired like this:  Speakers 1 and 2 in parallel and speaker 3 in series.  + from amp to + on speakers 1 and 2.  - from speakers 1 and 2 to + on speaker 3.  - on speaker 3 to - on amp.  All system current will always have to pass through speaker #3 and it will always be louder and will dominate the sound of the system.

The "best" load with three 2-ohm subs and an amp that cannot handle fractional ohm impedence loading is 6-ohms, all three in series.

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That's what my gut was telling me.  Thanks for the clarification, DYohn.  It looks like you should have an even number of speakers to use a parallel/series type of arrangement.

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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.

He is right, one of the units would be louder. The information I provided to you, was to illustrate to you that another resistive value could be obtained.

But, not neccessarly in great tonal balance, and sound quality.

I should have clarified that point, my apologies on that.

Regards

EVIL Teken . . .

I caught that as well but was waiting for you to clarify it.

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Top Secret, I can tell you but then my wife will kill me.

:)  It all depends on the definition of "best."  Teken accurately described the "best" electrical load for the amp, but I was more concerned about the "best" acoustic result.  With apples and oranges like that we can get together and make fruit salad!

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