How To Wire/Connect 4 Speakers To A 2 Channel Amp Diagram?

You can easily connect 4 speakers to a 2 channel amplifier just by keeping in mind the impedance of speakers and dividing the power equally to both channels.

There are both methods available to connect 4 speakers i.e. series and parallel. Which method to use depends upon your speakers and amplifier.

Both the speaker and amplifier have impedance and limits that cannot be crossed to stay safe. When we connect in series, it increases the impedance and when connected in parallel impedance decreases.

Keeping an eye on the maximum and minimum impedance of the amplifier you have to stay within these limits. If overloaded, it may cause damage or a bad experience.

Table of Contents

Decide whether to use the parallel or series method

First of all, determine the maximum impedance and minimum impedance of the amplifier you are going to connect with the speakers.

If the load is less than the minimum impedance it will damage the amplifier. So make sure that the load is neither less nor more than the limits.

You can know the impedance of the amplifier from the manual or on the label and the same for the speakers.

Now add the impedance of two speakers that you have to connect with one channel. If the sum of the impedance of both speakers lies within the limits of an amplifier, connect them in the series circuit.

For example, if you have 2 speakers each of 4 ohms. As you know when we connect in series, powers are added up. So the sum of both the powers will be 8-ohm.

Now if your amplifier handles 8 ohms per channel it is okay to connect in series. If the speakers cannot be connected in series, the other method is parallel.

Multiply the impedance of two speakers and divide them by their sum. If the answer lies within the limits, then the speakers can be connected in parallel.

WireConnect 4 Speakers To A 2 Channel Amp — Connect 4 Speakers To A 2 Channel Amp

If the impedance does not come within the limits of both ways, you cannot connect them with that amplifier.

Once you have known which method you are going to use to connect them, you can wire them by following the steps below.

Method 1: Wiring 4 Speakers in Series

In a series circuit, the positive terminal of one speaker is connected to the negative terminal of the other.

Suppose we connect two speakers on the left side in a series. Connect a wire from the positive terminal of the amplifier to the positive terminal of the first speaker.
Now, connect the wire from the negative terminal of the first speaker to the positive terminal of the second speaker.
Then connect the wire from the negative terminal of the second speaker to the negative terminal on the left of the amplifier.
In this way, the left channel of the amplifier is connected with two speakers in series. Repeat the process for the right channel and connect two speakers.
So, all four speakers will get connected in series with 2 2-channel amplifiers.
Series wiring is our first method to connect 4 speakers to a 2 channel amp. The next method is parallel wiring.

Method 2: Wiring 4 Speakers in Parallel

Suppose we want to connect the left channel with 2 speakers in parallel. Follow the steps mentioned below:

Connect the wire from the negative terminal of the left channel to the negative terminal of the first speaker.
Then connect the wire from the positive terminal of the left channel to the positive terminal of the first speaker.
In this way, the corresponding terminals of the left channel and the first speaker will be connected to each other.
Now make a connection from the first speaker to the second speaker in the same way.
In this way, two speakers will be connected to one channel in parallel.
So, all four speakers are connected to 2 channels of the amp in parallel.
The second and last method to connect 4 speakers to a 2 channel amp is parallel wiring.

Method 3: Connecting Through Switch Box

There is another easy and quick way to connect 4 speakers to a 2-channel amp. You can use a switch box or a speaker selector switch. They can be purchased from Amazon or a nearby electric store. Here is the method:

Connect wires to all the speakers, at both positive and negative terminals.
Now, connect the positive wire of each speaker to the positive terminal of the switch box.
Likewise, connect the negative wires to the negative terminal.
Now, connect your amp to the switch box. Correctly link the right and left channels to the compatible terminals on the switch box.
The switch box will serve as a connecting device linking all four speakers and amps.

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Tips For Wiring 4 Speakers To 2 Channel Amplifier

Never try to overload the amplifier as it will just damage it.
The sound you get depends upon the power of the amplifier and you cannot increase it much just by increasing the speakers. If you want more sound you should upgrade your amplifier as well with speakers.
Don’t neglect a bit in checking impedance if you want your audio system to work for a long time.
Always keep the load of the amplifier less than the limit to get a clear sound as well as bass. Full load or overload also creates distortion killing your all joy.
By following all the instructions, you can easily connect 4 speakers to a 2 channel amp without killing any equipment or losing sound quality.

Frequently Asked Questions

Read the following frequently asked questions for more information about your audio system.

Can I switch between the series and parallel connection methods?

Before connecting your speakers to the amp, decide what method you want to adopt. Switching between the 3 methods can lead to accidents. So, it is safer to stick to one method only unless you have to upgrade your system.

What size amp I should use for four 3ooW speakers?

An amp should be more powerful than your speakers. So, if you have 4 speakers each featuring 300W, the collective power of the system is 1200W. So, the amplifier should deliver 1200W or slightly more output.

What happens if the amp is less powerful than the system?

If the amp is not powerful enough, clipping can occur in your system. When you turn the am up, the sound distorts and becomes fuzzy. Moreover, an underpowered speaker offers no dynamic range and clipping is destructive for the speakers.

Final Words

There are 3 methods to connect or wire 4 speakers to a 2 channel amp. You can choose either of the method depending on the setup and your personal preference. I find connecting through the selector switch the easiest method.