How to Bridge Two Car Audio Amps

Bridging two car amplifiers can improve the sound of your speaker system and provide extra power to drive big speakers, like subwoofers. Connect the amplifiers correctly the first time. The wrong hookup can burn out your amps, blow up your speakers---or both.

Things You'll Need

• 2 car audio amps
• Wire rated for the amplifiers
• Wire strippers
• Pliers
• Wrenches

Instructions

1. Check the instruction manuals for both amps, which should be evenly matched for power, to make sure the amplifiers can be bridged. If you are unable to determine with certainty the two amps can be safely bridged, don't do it.

2. Disconnect both amps from the power supply before making any connections. The easiest way to do this is to remove the positive cable clamp from the car battery with pliers or a wrench until your work is complete.

3. Check the back edge of each amp to see if it has a bridge switch. If so, turn the switch to bridge mode.

4. Strip 1/2 insulation from both ends of a piece of wire.

5. Connect one end of the wire to the positive terminal (+) on one amp and the negative terminal (-) on the other by wrapping the wire around the terminal posts and screwing down the knobs. Terminals are usually distinguished by red for positive and black for negative. Some amps may have a spring clip that lifts up to reveal a hole for the wire underneath.

6. Connect the remaining terminals on the two bridged amps to one or more speakers, using the available positive amp terminal to connect to the positive speaker terminal and the negative terminal on the other bridged amp to the negative speaker terminal.

Tips & Warnings

• If you have any doubt whether the amps can be bridged, do not attempt to connect them.

References

• Diagrams and Technical Information for Bridging Amps
• Bridging and Wiring Diagrams for Multiple Speakers and Amps