When it comes to getting the most out of your car audio system, nothing quite beats the depth and power of a subwoofer. But if you’re installing a dual voice coil (DVC) subwoofer, you’ll need to approach the wiring a little differently than you would with a single voice coil (SVC) sub. In this article, we’ll be discussing everything you need to know about wiring a DVC subwoofer to get the best possible sound quality out of your car audio system.
Understanding DVC Subwoofers
Before we can dive into wiring a DVC subwoofer, it’s important to understand what makes them different from SVC subwoofers. A DVC subwoofer has two separate voice coils, each with its own set of terminals. This allows you to wire the sub in a variety of ways to match your amplifier’s impedance and get the most out of your subwoofer’s potential power.
DVC subwoofers generally come in two different configurations, dual 2-ohm or dual 4-ohm. This refers to the impedance of each individual voice coil. The impedance is a measure of the subwoofer’s resistance to the flow of electrical current. The lower the impedance, the more power the subwoofer can handle, but also the more stress it puts on the amplifier.
Now that we have a basic understanding of DVC subwoofers, let’s move on to wiring them properly.
Wiring a DVC Subwoofer
When it comes to wiring a DVC subwoofer, there are a few different ways you can do it. The most common way is to wire the sub in parallel or series, depending on the impedance of each voice coil and the impedance of your amplifier.
Wiring in Parallel
When wiring in parallel, you connect the positive terminal of one voice coil to the positive terminal of the other voice coil, and the same with the negative terminals. This effectively combines the two voice coils into one, with an overall impedance that is half of the individual impedance of each coil.
For example, if you have a dual 4-ohm DVC subwoofer and you wire the coils in parallel, the overall impedance will be 2 ohms. If you have a dual 2-ohm DVC subwoofer and you wire the coils in parallel, the overall impedance will be 1 ohm.
Wiring in Series
When wiring in series, you connect the positive terminal of one voice coil to the negative terminal of the other voice coil, and use the remaining positive and negative terminals as the sub’s connections to the amplifier. This effectively adds the two voice coils together, with an overall impedance that is double the individual impedance of each coil.
For example, if you have a dual 4-ohm DVC subwoofer and you wire the coils in series, the overall impedance will be 8 ohms. If you have a dual 2-ohm DVC subwoofer and you wire the coils in series, the overall impedance will be 4 ohms.
Wiring for Different Amplifier Impedances
When it comes to matching the impedance of your DVC subwoofer to your amplifier’s impedance, there are a few different options. If your amplifier can handle a 1-ohm load, and you have a dual 2-ohm DVC subwoofer, you can wire the coils in parallel to get a 1-ohm load. If your amplifier can only handle a 2-ohm load, you can wire the coils in series to get a 4-ohm load.
It’s important to make sure that your amplifier can handle the load you’re putting on it. Running an amplifier at too low of an impedance can cause it to overheat and possibly even fail.
FAQ
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What is a DVC subwoofer? | A DVC subwoofer has two separate voice coils, each with its own set of terminals. This allows you to wire the sub in a variety of ways to match your amplifier’s impedance and get the most out of your subwoofer’s potential power. |
| What is the difference between dual 2-ohm and dual 4-ohm DVC subwoofers? | The impedance of each individual voice coil is different. A dual 2-ohm subwoofer has two voice coils, each with an impedance of 2 ohms. A dual 4-ohm subwoofer has two voice coils, each with an impedance of 4 ohms. |
| What is the best way to wire a DVC subwoofer? | The best way to wire a DVC subwoofer depends on the impedance of the sub and your amplifier. It’s important to match the impedance of the sub to the capabilities of your amplifier to get the best possible sound quality without damaging your equipment. |
| What happens if I wire my DVC subwoofer incorrectly? | If you wire your DVC subwoofer incorrectly, you can damage your amplifier or subwoofer, or both. It’s important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions and make sure you’re wiring the sub to match the impedance capabilities of your amplifier. |
Conclusion
Wiring a DVC subwoofer might seem daunting at first, but with the right knowledge and tools, it’s a straightforward process that can drastically improve the sound quality of your car audio system. Whether you’re wiring in parallel or series, it’s important to match the impedance of your sub to your amplifier to get the best possible sound without damaging your equipment. With the tips and information in this article, you’ll be able to wire your DVC subwoofer like a pro in no time.
