Series vs parallel?

legendaryfrog · 13th December 2006, 11:26 PM

hi everyone! today i have started my bipoles/dipoles (2x TB 2") and i have a question regarding the hookup. What difference will it make if i hook them up in parallel vs in series?

PeteMcK · 13th December 2006, 11:55 PM

The power drawn from the amp is inversly proportional to load impedance, (P=(E*E)/R)
so two speakers of the same impedance in parallel will draw four times the power of the same speakers in series
(at the same voltage output)

legendaryfrog · 14th December 2006, 02:43 AM

so... series is better?

PeteMcK · 14th December 2006, 04:26 AM

no, series is just different, 'better' is a value judgement.

If you want more SPL, AND, importantly, your amp can handle the load, then you might say that is 'better'....

badman · 14th December 2006, 02:42 PM

Series will be 16 ohms with 8 ohm speakers, parallel would be 4 ohms. Voltage sensitivity will be 6dB higher with the 4 ohm arrangement, but the efficiency (dB/Watt) will be the same in either case.

Just as with the impedance, Le is halved from a single driver when paralleled, and doubled when in series. Some have claimed that the higher Le of series connections leads to a dulling of transients or phase response, but I've yet to see documentation of this.

As much as anything else, it's an issue of making the amp happy. Most amps will have better distortion figures into 16, but solid state amps will typically be able to deliver as much as 4X more power into the lower impedance loads. Tubes will change less in terms of potential power output, unless it's an OTL, in which case, many amps can push more juice through the HIGHER impedance (16 ohm) load.

With me so far? Good.
'cause I'm done for now

Dumbass · 14th December 2006, 02:50 PM

Series is a safer bet for the amp.

Just make sure you get the polarity correct.

13th December 2006, 11:26 PM	#1
legendaryfrog diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2006	Series vs parallel? hi everyone! today i have started my bipoles/dipoles (2x TB 2") and i have a question regarding the hookup. What difference will it make if i hook them up in parallel vs in series?

13th December 2006, 11:55 PM	#2
PeteMcK diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Sydney	power The power drawn from the amp is inversly proportional to load impedance, (P=(E*E)/R) so two speakers of the same impedance in parallel will draw four times the power of the same speakers in series (at the same voltage output)

14th December 2006, 02:42 PM	#5
badman Custom Title diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Sunny Tustin, SoCal	Series will be 16 ohms with 8 ohm speakers, parallel would be 4 ohms. Voltage sensitivity will be 6dB higher with the 4 ohm arrangement, but the efficiency (dB/Watt) will be the same in either case. Just as with the impedance, Le is halved from a single driver when paralleled, and doubled when in series. Some have claimed that the higher Le of series connections leads to a dulling of transients or phase response, but I've yet to see documentation of this. As much as anything else, it's an issue of making the amp happy. Most amps will have better distortion figures into 16, but solid state amps will typically be able to deliver as much as 4X more power into the lower impedance loads. Tubes will change less in terms of potential power output, unless it's an OTL, in which case, many amps can push more juice through the HIGHER impedance (16 ohm) load. With me so far? Good. 'cause I'm done for now __________________ I write for www.enjoythemusic.com in the DIY section. You may find yourself getting a preview of a project in-progress. Be warned!

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Three 10" 4Ohm subs, wired in series or series-parallel?	Nagamitsu	Car Audio	24	10th May 2009 03:24 AM
series or parallel?	medicman	Tubes / Valves	5	22nd January 2009 04:42 PM
series vs parallel SPL?	2litre	Multi-Way	16	22nd February 2006 09:58 AM
What would you do? series/parallel	MtnBob	Multi-Way	13	14th April 2005 10:17 PM


	Please consider donating to help us continue to serve you. Ads on/off / Custom Title / More PMs / More album space / Advanced printing & mass image saving

14th December 2006, 02:43 AM	#3
legendaryfrog diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2006	so... series is better?

14th December 2006, 04:26 AM	#4
PeteMcK diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Sydney	no, series is just different, 'better' is a value judgement. If you want more SPL, AND, importantly, your amp can handle the load, then you might say that is 'better'....

14th December 2006, 02:50 PM	#6
Dumbass diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: British Antarctic Territory	Series is a safer bet for the amp. Just make sure you get the polarity correct.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)

New To Site?	Need Help?
Register to Participate Search Privacy Statement Contact Us	Frequently Asked Questions Did you forget your password? Mark Forums Read