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2 subs parallel bridged?

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=98147
Printed Date: May 13, 2024 at 7:18 AM


Topic: 2 subs parallel bridged?

Posted By: myc spitta
Subject: 2 subs parallel bridged?
Date Posted: October 20, 2007 at 10:17 PM

Hi,

I have a 4 channel Clarion APA450 which at the moment is running both the fronts (components) and rears, off only the front 2 channels of the amp. I'm guessing that means the amp is seeing a 2 Ohm load off these front channels. (I'm pretty sure the component woofer and tweeter were 4 Ohms together, but I could be wrong - they were cheapies).

Now I've just got a box with 2 x 10" old Kickers (4 Ohms each). Can I wire these up in parallel AND bridged to the spare 2 rear channels on this amp?

Or can I run them in series and bridge that? OR failing that should I just hook one sub to each of the 2 spare rear channels (not bridged).

Basically I'm not sure if this amp will enjoy having both the front AND the rear channels running at 2 Ohms, and one of those bridged too, if possible.

The specs of the amp are:
Clarion APA450
Max power 100W x 4
Continous power 50W x 4
Output impedance 2 Ohm Stereo, 4 Ohm bridged.

It says it's 2 Ohm stable and is bridgeable.

Thanks.



Replies:

Posted By: fakepete
Date Posted: October 20, 2007 at 10:42 PM
The best option would be to get another amp for the subs. If you want to stay with the setup you have, wire one sub to each rear channel. 50 watts isn't very much for a sub, but it will work.




Posted By: myc spitta
Date Posted: October 21, 2007 at 1:33 AM
Ok, so is the idea of having the 2 subs in parallel bridged not possible, with regards to blowing my amp?Having one on each channel like you say would be fine too as I'm not after a lot of sound. I just want to save myself the effort of having to run another pair of speaker wires through the car and would prefer to leave it the way it's wired now if I can get away with it (that is; I ran a single + and - from the bridged channels to the back, then split them to the subs). BTW, the amp is under the passenger seat.




Posted By: DYohn
Date Posted: October 21, 2007 at 9:57 AM
No, you can't parallel the speakers to the 2 amp channels bridged, as this will place a 2-ohm load on the bridged channels.  The am requires no less than 4-ohms when bridged.  Either connect one sub to each channel or connect them in series (8-ohms) to bridge.  Either method will result in the same performance.

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Posted By: techman93
Date Posted: October 21, 2007 at 11:24 AM
I would run a separate amp that would supply the right amount of power rather then messing up a 4 channel amp designed to run mids and highs. I would separate the front and rears and add a sub amp. Another option is to run rear speakers with a passive crossover to block some low bass and add subs to each channel parallel. That is if you can't get a sub amp right away, it will allow you to use it while you save up for one. But the best thing is a separate amp with a built in low pass filter of some kind. You could invest in an electronic multi channel crossover to separate all the frequency ranges to the right channels of your amps.




Posted By: DYohn
Date Posted: October 21, 2007 at 2:03 PM
There is nothing wrong with using a 4-channel amp to power subs.

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Posted By: myc spitta
Date Posted: October 21, 2007 at 3:56 PM
Ah thanks, I get it now, cheers DYlone. Didn't realise 4 Ohm was the min load bridged. Ok, I'll try series as the wires are already cut a way that will reach.

Cheers everyone else. This is just my girlfriends car so I'm not looking to shell out out for a 2nd amp. That's how I run it in my own car though: 4-ch for the front components and rears and another 4-ch in the back with a single 12". There's a spare channel but no more room for another sub (trust me I tried the 2 x 10" Kickers too!). All good.
Thanks for all the help.





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