How to Bridge an Amp to Two Speakers

Many multi-channel car amplifiers are built with the option to "bridge" the output. Bridging takes the output of two channels and combines it into a single channel. This is useful when the user wants a higher output single channel for powering one or two speakers -- in most cases subwoofers.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 2-Channel car amplifier
• 2 Speakers
• Speaker wire
• Wire cutters/strippers

1. 
    
   Speaker outputs with bridged markings (NL Graphics)

   Locate the speaker outputs of the amplifier. Then look for the word "bridged." If it appears, it will point to two of the speaker output terminals, one marked "+" and the other marked "-." These are the speaker outputs that you'll use when using the amp in its bridged mode.

2. Cut a length of speaker wire long enough to reach from the amplifier to your first speaker. Strip the insulation off of the ends of each end of the wire so that each lead has 3/8 to 1/2 inch of bare wire exposed.

3. Connect the wire to the "bridged" outputs of the amplifier. Connect the positive lead of the speaker wire to the "+" terminal, and the negative lead to the "-" terminal.

4. Connect the other end of the wire to the terminals of your first speaker. Connect the positive lead of the speaker wire to the "+" terminal and the negative to the "-" terminal.

5. Cut a second piece of speaker wire long enough to reach from the first speaker to the second speaker. Strip the insulation off of the ends of the wire so that there is 3/8 to 1/2 inch of bare wire exposed.

6. Connect the second piece of speaker wire from the "+" terminal of the first speaker to the "+" terminal of the second speaker. Repeat the process with the "-" terminals of speaker one and speaker two. You've completed connecting the bridged amplifier to two speakers.