How to Wire Dual 4 Ohm Subwoofers to a 2 Ohm Amp

Subwoofers add the low end of the frequency scale to the sound spectrum.

Running two four-ohm subwoofers in a configuration that puts a two-ohm load on the amp is a smart and common way to wire subwoofers. By running the amp at two ohms, you are increasing the power output of the amp without paying any extra money. A two-ohm load refers to the way the subs are wired in relation to the amp as there are several ways to wire them. Before undertaking this project, you need to make sure that your amp is stable at two ohms. Not all amps are; and if yours isn't, you can easily destroy the amp by wiring it this way.

Things You'll Need

• 4-ohm subwoofers (2)
• Speaker wire
• Amplifier (stable at 2 ohms)

Instructions

1. Connect the positive speaker wire to the positive channel input on the amplifier. Run that wire to the positive input on the left sub. From this connection point, splice another wire onto the sub's positive terminal where you just attached the wire from the amp. Run this second wire to the positive terminal on the right sub.

2. Repeat the above step but with the negative wire. Run the negative speaker wire from the negative speaker input on the amplifier to the negative speaker input of the left sub. Connect another wire at this point as you did with the positive speaker wire and attach it to the negative speaker terminal on the right sub.

3. Verify that all connections are secure and that no stray speaker wire is left out, which could cause a short in the system. Turn the stereo on to finalize the process and to make sure everything is working correctly. Both speakers should be the same volume and be emitting the same quality of sound.

References

• Crutchfield Diagrams: Dual 4 ohm subs