How to Hook Up Four 12-Inch Subwoofers to Two Amplifiers

Connecting subwoofers can be done in a series circuit or parallel.

Subwoofers are large speakers that require greater signal strength from the stereo unit in order to function properly. The user has multiple options as to how to provide the amplified signal. One option is to add amplifiers to your stereo system. Amplifiers boost the signal from the stereo to power the subwoofers. If you are connecting more than one subwoofer to one or more amplifiers, then a parallel circuit is needed to provide the most efficient signal transfer.

Things You'll Need

• Speaker wire

Instructions

1. Connect speaker wires to each of the outputs on the four amplifiers.

2. Run the speaker wire connected to the positive output on the first amplifier to the positive input on the first subwoofer.

3. Run the speaker wire connected to the negative output on the first amplifier to the negative input of the first subwoofer.

4. Connect a speaker wire from the negative input of the first subwoofer to the negative input of the second subwoofer.

5. Connect a speaker wire from the positive input of the first subwoofer to the positive input of the second subwoofer.

6. Repeat the connections for the second amplifier and the third and fourth subwoofers.

References

• Crutchfield: Subwoofer Installation Guide
• Termpro.com: Series vs. Parallel Wiring