Dual Subwoofer Wiring Diagram: How to Wire Your Subs for Optimal Sound Quality

If you’re a car audio enthusiast, you know that the subwoofers are the heart of your sound system. But you also know that wiring your subs can be a challenge, especially if you’re using dual subwoofers. In this article, we’ll guide you through the process of wiring dual subwoofers, including what materials you’ll need and the steps to follow. We’ll also provide answers to some frequently asked questions about dual subwoofer wiring.

Materials You’ll Need

Before we begin, let’s go over the materials you’ll need to wire your dual subwoofers. Here’s a list:

Materials Quantity
Subwoofer enclosure 1
Two subwoofers 2
Amplifier 1
Speaker wire 1 roll
Gold plated RCA cables 2
In-line fuse holder with fuse 1

Now that you have all the necessary materials, let’s begin wiring your dual subwoofers.

Wiring Dual Subwoofers

The first step in wiring your dual subwoofers is to figure out the type of subwoofer you have. Subwoofers come in two configurations: dual voice coils (DVC) and single voice coils (SVC). Let’s look at each type in detail.

Dual Voice Coil (DVC) Subwoofers

A DVC subwoofer has two sets of terminals, each with a positive and negative terminal. This means that the subwoofer has two voice coils that can be wired in parallel or series. Wiring your DVC subwoofers in parallel or series will affect the final impedance and power you get from your subwoofers.

Wiring DVC Subwoofers in Parallel

To wire your DVC subwoofers in parallel, follow these steps:

  1. Connect the positive terminal of one voice coil to the positive terminal of the other voice coil.
  2. Connect the negative terminal of one voice coil to the negative terminal of the other voice coil.
  3. Connect the positive terminal of one voice coil to the positive terminal of the amplifier.
  4. Connect the negative terminal of one voice coil to the negative terminal of the amplifier.

When you wire your DVC subwoofers in parallel, you’ll get a final impedance that’s half the value of each voice coil. For example, if your subwoofer has two 4-ohm voice coils and you wire them in parallel, you’ll get a final impedance of 2 ohms. This will give you more power but less clarity.

Wiring DVC Subwoofers in Series

To wire your DVC subwoofers in series, follow these steps:

  1. Connect the positive terminal of one voice coil to the negative terminal of the other voice coil.
  2. Connect the positive terminal of one voice coil to the positive terminal of the amplifier.
  3. Connect the negative terminal of one voice coil to the negative terminal of the amplifier.

When you wire your DVC subwoofers in series, you’ll get a final impedance that’s double the value of each voice coil. For example, if your subwoofer has two 4-ohm voice coils and you wire them in series, you’ll get a final impedance of 8 ohms. This will give you less power but more clarity.

Single Voice Coil (SVC) Subwoofers

An SVC subwoofer has only one set of terminals, with a positive and negative terminal. This means that the subwoofer has only one voice coil that can be wired in parallel or series.

Wiring SVC Subwoofers in Parallel

To wire your SVC subwoofers in parallel, follow these steps:

  1. Connect the positive terminal of the subwoofer to the positive terminal of the amplifier.
  2. Connect the negative terminal of the subwoofer to the negative terminal of the amplifier.

When you wire your SVC subwoofers in parallel, you’ll get a final impedance that’s half the value of the subwoofer’s impedance. For example, if your subwoofer has a 4-ohm impedance and you wire it in parallel, you’ll get a final impedance of 2 ohms. This will give you more power but less clarity.

Wiring SVC Subwoofers in Series

To wire your SVC subwoofers in series, follow these steps:

  1. Connect the positive terminal of the subwoofer to the positive terminal of the amplifier.
  2. Connect the negative terminal of the subwoofer to the positive terminal of the second subwoofer.
  3. Connect the negative terminal of the second subwoofer to the negative terminal of the amplifier.

When you wire your SVC subwoofers in series, you’ll get a final impedance that’s double the value of the subwoofer’s impedance. For example, if your subwoofer has a 4-ohm impedance and you wire it in series with another 4-ohm subwoofer, you’ll get a final impedance of 8 ohms. This will give you less power but more clarity.

FAQ: Dual Subwoofer Wiring

Q: Can I wire two different subwoofers?

A: Yes, you can wire two different subwoofers, but it’s not recommended. When you wire different subwoofers, you’ll get different sound quality and impedance. It’s important to use two identical subwoofers to get the best sound quality.

Q: How do I determine the final impedance of my subwoofers?

A: To determine the final impedance of your subwoofers, you need to know the impedance of each voice coil or the impedance of the subwoofer. You can use an online impedance calculator to determine the final impedance.

Q: Why is it important to use an in-line fuse holder?

A: It’s important to use an in-line fuse holder to protect your amplifier and subwoofers from electrical damage. An in-line fuse holder will prevent electrical currents from reaching your amplifier and subwoofers and causing damage.

Q: What’s the difference between parallel and series wiring?

A: Parallel wiring combines the positive and negative terminals of the subwoofers, while series wiring connects the positive terminal of one subwoofer to the negative terminal of the other subwoofer. Parallel wiring results in a lower final impedance and more power, while series wiring results in a higher final impedance and more clarity.

Q: Can I wire my subwoofers to a factory head unit?

A: Yes, you can wire your subwoofers to a factory head unit, but you’ll need a line output converter to convert the speaker level outputs to RCA outputs.

Conclusion

Wiring your dual subwoofers doesn’t have to be a stressful process. By following the steps we’ve provided and using the right materials, you can wire your subwoofers for optimal sound quality. Remember to use identical subwoofers and an in-line fuse holder to protect your equipment. We hope this article has been helpful and informative for you.