Pwr splitting in a Tri-Way

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=49770
Printed Date: May 13, 2025 at 11:36 AM

Topic: Pwr splitting in a Tri-Way

Posted By: richiec77
Subject: Pwr splitting in a Tri-Way
Date Posted: February 10, 2005 at 1:37 AM

Hi. New here but have done car audio for about 12 years now. I've run up against a wall on this. How do you calculate the splitting of power (wattage) in a Tri-Way set-up?

Example: 2 ch 100w x 2 RMS. 1 pair Coaxial Speakers (say 6 1/2") and a Sub. (say 10"). All speakers are 4 ohms. Is there a difference with/without a Tri-Way adaptor.

Replies:

Posted By: stevdart
Date Posted: February 10, 2005 at 5:38 AM

The crossover (that you need for tri-way) will separate loads by frequency so that the amp is not burdened with combined (paralleled) loads at the same time.

Instead of having one full-time job to do, the amplifier is working two part-time jobs.

The amp's output will be the 2 ohm X 2 rating for the bridged sub plus the 4 ohm X 2 rating for the coaxials. Its total output wattage will not exceed the greatest output into one load (the bridged sub), but each load (sub + pair) will get the amp's rated power because of the crossover separation.

Posted By: richiec77
Date Posted: February 10, 2005 at 1:55 PM

Thanks. I completly overlooked the frequency part of the equation.