How to Wire Speakers for an 8-Ohm Load

Get full sound from your speakers by wiring them together. Use this guide to wire a series of speakers together for an 8-ohm load. The best way to do this is to use a combination of series and parallel wiring.

Things You'll Need

• Speakers
• 8-ohm amplifier
• Speaker wire

Instructions

1. Check that you have everything you need. You will need four speakers that total 8 ohms and an amplifier that can handle at least 8 ohms. Look on the back of the speakers and amplifier to determine their ohm ratings.

2. Turn off the amplifier and unplug it. Connect the non-split end into the positive (red) out on the amplifier. Next, connect the split end of the cable to the positive end of two of the speakers.

3. Connect a cable to the negative (not red) of the first speaker and connect the other end of the cable to the positive end of the third speaker. Connect a cable into the negative out of the second speaker and connect the other end of that cable to the positive in of the fourth speaker.

4. Connect the non-split end of the split cable into the negative in on the amplifier. Connect the split end of the cable into the negative outs of the third and fourth speakers.

5. Turn on your amplifier and test it at a low volume.

Tips & Warnings

• If you don't get any volume out of your speaker, turn off the amplifier immediately.