If you are a staunch lover of music and wish to breathe more life into your car’s audio system, wiring a 4 channel amplifier to it is a good fit. And you don’t have to be a pro to do this.
Our experts explain how to wire a 4 channel amp to 6 speakers in a very easy way in this article.
How to Wire a 4 Channel Amp to 6 Speakers
Wiring a 4 channel amp to 6 speakers can be done in two major ways: wiring in series and wiring in parallel. These methods have their pros and cons. But, before we dive into that, keep in mind that connecting more speakers with an amp of less capacity shortens the lifespan of your amplifier [1] as it hikes up the load.
Hence, you could procure a 6 channel amp for 6 speakers instead of a 4 channel amp. Or better still, wire 4 speakers to a 4 channel amp.
Irrespective, you can still wire all the 6 speakers in your car to amplifiers without murdering your car’s stereo.
Back to business — how to wire a 4 channel amp to 6 speakers. Whether you’re going for the ‘wiring in series’ method or the parallel, you will need a couple of tools and equipment for results. And the good news is, the kit won’t cost you a fortune.
What you'll need
- A pair of RCA adapter cables
- Quality speaker wire
- Fuse and fuse holder (for a hitch-free electrical connection)
- Zip ties
- Crimp tool
- Electrical tape
- Digital test meter (for measuring voltage)
Connect in Series
Connecting speakers serially is a relatively safe way of wiring speakers to amplifiers. In this method, wires are used to connect each speaker to the next in a linear arrangement.
However, even though it affords your audio system some safety, you may not get the best experience of music clarity and excitement out of your stereo. Here is the why: This method hinders the optimal production of power by the amplifier.
This is due to the overall load impedance generated during the connection. For example, if a pair of 4-ohm speakers are connected, the load impedance equals 4-ohm + 4- ohm – 8ohms.
So, how do you connect the six speakers to a 4 channel amp? It may seem like putting a square peg in a round hole, but it is not impossible. All you need do is connect 2 speakers to 1 channel (the first two pairs of speakers). After this, it remains 2 speakers and 2 channels. Then, you can connect the extra 2 speakers to the remaining 2 channels.
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Advantages of Connecting in Series
- It keeps your amplifier in good health
- No need for extra expenses or changing of equipment
Connect in Parallel
Connecting your speakers in parallel, the top-performing Hertz car speakers, for instance, is by far the easiest. Due to its ease of connection, it is the most common way of wiring two or more speakers to an amplifier. This method requires a connection of each speaker to the amplifier, using separate wires, unlike the serial method.
Here, the load impedance is calculated by dividing each speaker’s impedance by the number of speakers you connect. So, if each of the four speakers is 8 ohms, the overall load impedance will be divided by 4, hence giving out 2 ohms.
One remarkable benefit of adopting this method is that power is optimally produced without any form of hindrance. This accounts for its outstanding and impressive output — top-notch sound quality and clarity. No road noise can get in the way of your thrill as you relish your favorite blues down your windpipe.
Nevertheless, connecting in parallel also has its downside. You can’t turn on your music at a crazy-ass high volume for a long duration. If you do, then you are gradually bidding farewell to your stereo. It’s either you listen at a moderate volume or listen at a high volume for a short while.
Advantages of Connecting in Parallel
- It is effortless to practice
- It offers excellent sound clarity
Conclusion
Having read this to the end, we hope you are better enlightened on how to wire a 4 channel amp to 6 speakers. You now know the difference between connecting in series and parallel. Follow our experts’ guide, and let the rewards speak for themselves.
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For related topics, you can also learn from these informative pages, too!
