Series And Parallel Speaker Connections; Series; Parallel - Emotiva RPA-1 User Manual

Series and Parallel Speaker Connections

Whenever connecting more than one speaker per channel to an amplifier (regardless of the brand),
you must consider the way in which the amplifier will be impacted by adding the additional speaker(s).
Additionally, speakers with dual voice coils also apply to this consideration. Two voice coils in a single
speaker also cause different reactions from an amplifier depending on the way in which they connect to the
amplifier.
The connection of more than one speaker per channel will tend to degrade the speaker's frequency
response and may make the amplifier run hot. For the best sonic results, use one speaker per amplifier
channel. If you must connect more than one speaker per channel, there are two methods in which to do so:
Series or Parallel.

Series

A series connection is established when voice coils are connected in a
string – end to end – so there's only one way for audio signals to flow "in"
and only one way for audio signals to flow "out". For example, if you were to
series-connect two speakers to the front right channel of the amplifier:
• The positive output terminal of the right channel connects to the positive
input post of the first speaker.
• The negative input post of the first speaker connects to the positive input
post of the second speaker.
• The negative input post of the second speaker connects to the negative
output terminal of the right channel.
The total impedance of speakers in series is found by adding their impedances together. For example, two
four ohm speakers in series is an eight ohm load. Series connections are easier on the amplifier than parallel
connections as the total impedance is higher than driving a single speaker.

Parallel

A parallel circuit is established when voice coils are connected in a way
that there are multiple paths for audio signals to flow "in" and multiple paths
for audio signals to flow "out". When speakers are connected in parallel, the
total resistance at the amplifier is proportionally divided based on the value
of each individual voice coil resistance. The term "divided" simply means all
of the values together in parallel are a SMALLER value than each all by itself.
For example, if you were to parallel connect two speakers to the front right
channel of the amplifier:
• The positive output terminal of the right channel connects to the positive input
post of the first speaker and to the positive post of the second speaker.
• The negative output terminal of the right channel connects to the negative
input post of the first speaker and to the negative post of the second speaker.
An example of a SERIES
connection between two
speakers
An example of a PARALLEL
connection between two
speakers
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