How to Bridge a Single Subwoofer
Auto amplifiers increase power from the stereo to the speakers. Each channel of an amplifier is designed to power one speaker. Some amplifiers, called mono amps, have only one channel. Audiophiles often use a mono amp to drive a single subwoofer, but there is a way to connect two amplifier channels to a single subwoofer. This is called bridging the amp, and it dramatically increases the power output to the subwoofer. Not all multi-channel amps are designed to be bridged.
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Instructions
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Locate the speaker output terminals for both channels of the amplifier.They probably will be labeled channels 1 and 2.
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Connect a speaker wire to the positive terminal of Channel 1 on the amplifier and route it to the subwoofer. You may want to hide the speaker wire under carpeting, if possible.
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Connect the positive speaker wire to the positive terminal of the subwoofer. If the subwoofer is enclosed in a box, connect the wire to the positive terminal of the speaker box.
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Connect a speaker wire to the negative terminal of Channel 2 on the amplifier and route it to the subwoofer.
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Connect the negative speaker wire to the negative terminal of the subwoofer or to the speaker box, if the subwoofer is enclosed.
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Tips & Warnings
Do not attempt to bridge an amp that is not designed to be bridgeable.
Check the impedance specifications (rate ohms) for the amp. Using speakers with lower impedance than the amplifier is designed for can result in overheating the amp.
References
- Photo Credit Matthew Peyton/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images
