What You Should Know About Parallel Speaker Wiring
Parallel speaker wiring can be intimidating at first, so here’s some helpful advice:
If you have ever connected speakers to a stereo or amplifier, you may have noticed the wires running either in series or parallel. Although this may appear confusing at first glance, don’t worry – it doesn’t need to be as complex as you think!
Connecting multiple speakers in series can increase the wattage (power) your amplifier sends for a given volume setting, but it may present issues if they aren’t rated for the same impedance.
Wire Gauge
When setting up an audio system, it is essential to determine the wire gauge that best meets your requirements. The thickness or thinness of a cable affects its resistance in terms of electrical current flowing through it – ultimately impacting sound quality from speakers. The following chart can help determine which gauge would work best for you.
Generally, thinner wire is ideal for low-impedance speakers (car speakers and home stereos). On the other hand, thicker wire may be best suited to higher power systems or long runs.
For most applications, 18 gauge wire will do the trick. However, for high-power applications and long runs you may want to consider using thicker 12 or 14 gauge wire instead.
Are you uncertain which wire type to select for your project? Allied Wire and Cable has the perfect wire solution. No matter the application, our knowledgeable technicians can guide you towards making an informed decision. With our vast selection of wires, Allied Wire and Cable has something that will meet any requirement.
Standard wires used in speaker and amplifier wiring typically consist of a silver strand as the negative conductor and copper strand as the positive conductor. These polarities are clearly marked on the wires so you can quickly determine which direction it should run in.
When installing speaker wire, you have two choices: wrap it around a hard spool for convenient dispensing or slide it into either a banana plug or spade tip connector. Either choice can make your system setup simpler.
C&E offers 12 gauge speaker wire designed for high-end audiophile listening in 30 feet of length. Crafted from oxygen free copper true spec stranded wire, this wire comes complete with a rugged frosted PVC jacket for extra protection.
Additionally, this speaker wire is insulated to deliver clear audio from your audio equipment. Plus, its 12-gauge design features a two-color jacket for easy polarity identification.
Parallel wiring is often the preferred method when installing a new speaker system. It reduces the overall impedance of the speakers and allows the amp to deliver more power, creating louder and clearer sound. However, be mindful that if your amplifier cannot supply enough current, it could damage your speakers over time.
Wire Length
The length of wire used in parallel speaker wiring has an immense effect on sound quality. It’s undisputed that a longer wire will increase resistance, decreasing its efficiency and affecting frequency response.
This is a common issue and one of the primary reasons why many people experience difficulty selecting wire for their system. To solve this problem, select a gauge two sizes larger than your current short distance wire gauge.
18-gauge (AWG) wire is typically sufficient for home and car speakers up to 50 feet with average power levels. However, if you require longer runs or are using higher powered systems and speakers, 16-gauge wire is the preferred choice.
When selecting speaker wire size, impedance (ohms) must also be taken into account; higher impedance values mean smaller sizes for optimal system response.
For example, an 8-ohm speaker requires 14-gauge speaker wire to deliver maximum power, while an 8-ohm subwoofer requires 16-gauge wire.
Similar principles apply for surround sound and center channel home theater speakers; however, their impedance is slightly higher than that of car or home speakers, thus reducing the loss.
However, any long wire length from an amplifier to a speaker should also be kept below 0.2ohm as a general guideline.
It is essential to use “pure copper” speaker wire when installing custom installations or consumer audio applications, as this eliminates any attenuation caused by oxygen in the wire.
If you already own an excellent pair of speakers that you cannot find a cost-effective price for, consider investing in some inexpensive 12 or 16-gauge cables and running them parallel from your amp to the speakers. Doing this will give your system an even higher quality while saving money over time.
Speaker Impedance
Speaker impedance is an essential consideration when wiring speakers. It determines the amount of power transferred between a pair of speakers and their amplifier, as well as if your particular model fits with that particular amp. Furthermore, speaker impedance tells you if your chosen speakers will perform optimally under certain conditions.
Calculating speaker impedance can be done using this formula: 1/(total resistance + (R1+R2)+(R2+R3). This straightforward calculation helps determine the parallel resistance between two components.
Unfortunately, this method is not suitable for calculating the parallel resistance of more than two components, as the number of calculations becomes increasingly complex and challenging.
The impedance of a speaker is determined by several factors, including its type, voice coil type and design.
Additionally, your speakers’ impedance may shift with age as their driver deteriorates. If this occurs, you might want to consider investing in new speakers for improved sound quality.
One way to prevent this problem is by making sure your speakers have the same nominal impedance as your amplifier, usually determined through their power ratings.
Failing to provide proper ventilation for your speakers can cause them to become too loud for your amp or have inadequate bass response, leading to distortion and poor performance.
When connecting speakers in parallel, it’s ideal to use an amplifier with a rated output impedance of at least 4 ohms. This ensures the amp can supply enough current and power to each speaker for proper operation.
Measure the speaker’s impedance with a multimeter or by taking readings from its terminals. You may also locate this information on the label of the speaker itself.
Audio speaker wire typically uses gauge numbers of 12 AWG, 14 AWG and 16 AWG due to its thickness; higher gauge numbers signify thicker wire.
Combination Wiring
When connecting multiple speakers to an amplifier, three basic methods of connection exist: series, parallel and combination wiring.
To achieve optimal sound and quality from your speakers, it is essential to properly wire them. This requires selecting suitable wires and understanding how to install them correctly.
Additionally, you should consider the type of speaker you plan on using and whether they should be wired in series or parallel. Knowing this information will make it simpler to make informed decisions regarding speaker wiring.
Parallel wiring of speakers is one of the simplest methods for connecting them. This reduces resistance in the circuit, making it simpler for the speakers to receive electricity and increase their volume levels.
However, when wiring your speakers in parallel, it is essential that you select the correct wire. This will determine its resistance and how well your circuit transfers power.
When selecting a speaker, wire thickness is another important factor to consider. This determines its ability to carry current and how well it connects with your amplifier.
The thickness of wire is largely determined by its American Wire Gauge (AWG) number. AWG ratings range from 12 to 18, with lower numbers representing thicker wire.
Higher-gauge wire can reduce resistance in current flow, which is essential when running long distances or using speakers with low impedance. This is especially useful when connecting 8 ohms speakers over long distances as it helps distribute load and resistance evenly throughout the wire.
12-gauge wire should be sufficient to run a 40-foot length with an 8 ohm speaker, while 16-gauge wire works best for shorter runs and can also be used with 4-ohm speakers.
Furthermore, it’s essential to take into account the ohms rating of your speakers and the minimum ohms rating of the amp when wiring them safely. Doing this ensures that the speakers won’t damage your amplifier.