I'm powering a DIY sub using a stereo/bridgeable amplifier. There won't be any power gained either way but I wanted to run this past you guys so I know how to wire this puppy up.
The driver is a 4 ohm, dual coil driver. The amplifier will deliver 500W to each coil running the left channel to one coil and the right channel to the other coil.
OR...
If I connect the coils in series (8 ohm load now) and bridge the amplifier, I will 1000W shared to both coils.
So my question is:
Is it better to run an amplifier bridged at 8 ohms for more damping factor and series two coils together (I'm guessing amplifier distortion goes up a little in bridged mode?) or run one coil on one channel and one coil on the other channel. Anybody hook up a sub this way? Will the tiny difference in output between two channels force the two coils to "fight" each other or something??
Thanks guys....
The driver is a 4 ohm, dual coil driver. The amplifier will deliver 500W to each coil running the left channel to one coil and the right channel to the other coil.
OR...
If I connect the coils in series (8 ohm load now) and bridge the amplifier, I will 1000W shared to both coils.
So my question is:
Is it better to run an amplifier bridged at 8 ohms for more damping factor and series two coils together (I'm guessing amplifier distortion goes up a little in bridged mode?) or run one coil on one channel and one coil on the other channel. Anybody hook up a sub this way? Will the tiny difference in output between two channels force the two coils to "fight" each other or something??
Thanks guys....
The amp is a Krell KAV-2250, 500WX2 into 4 ohms or 1000WX1 into 8 ohms in bridged mode.
The woofer I purchased is an Ascendant Audio Arsenal 15, 600W rms, 750W peak, Dual Voice coil, 4ohm per coil.
The box is a 9.6 cu ft sealed enclosure...thanks again for any advice.
The woofer I purchased is an Ascendant Audio Arsenal 15, 600W rms, 750W peak, Dual Voice coil, 4ohm per coil.
The box is a 9.6 cu ft sealed enclosure...thanks again for any advice.
I think your first option sounds great
This is just based on personal experience, not math: It makes more sense to me to keep the impedance low by using both 4 ohm VCs in parallel. Bridged amps/speakers combos sound "bloated" to me. I'll bet it sounds more responsive this way.
John
This is just based on personal experience, not math: It makes more sense to me to keep the impedance low by using both 4 ohm VCs in parallel. Bridged amps/speakers combos sound "bloated" to me. I'll bet it sounds more responsive this way.
John
I think your first option sounds great
This is just based on personal experience, not math: It makes more sense to me to keep the impedance low by using both 4 ohm VCs. Bridged amps/speakers combos sound "bloated" to me. I'll bet it sounds more responsive this way.
John
This is just based on personal experience, not math: It makes more sense to me to keep the impedance low by using both 4 ohm VCs. Bridged amps/speakers combos sound "bloated" to me. I'll bet it sounds more responsive this way.
John
OK, first let's clear it up that damping factor in each case will be identical. When you bridge each amps output is in series with the load so you get half the damping factor. Also each side of the amp will see half the load impedance. So you see why it's just like each amp driving the channels individually.
However, there are big advantages of the bridged method. Firstly, the total current flowing in the PSU is half, which is nicer. Secondly, the ground is kept free of heavy speaker currents, which is nice again. Thirdly, the load on the PSU is shared in opposite polarity - it is balanced, this is nicer on the supply and is better for PSRR.
Go bridged.
However, there are big advantages of the bridged method. Firstly, the total current flowing in the PSU is half, which is nicer. Secondly, the ground is kept free of heavy speaker currents, which is nice again. Thirdly, the load on the PSU is shared in opposite polarity - it is balanced, this is nicer on the supply and is better for PSRR.
Go bridged.
Damping factor as a useful concept for judging amplifiers is nonsense.
Go bridged, for all the reasons Richie elucidates so eloquently above.
Go bridged, for all the reasons Richie elucidates so eloquently above.
I think it depends on the amplifiers ability, i would also rather use it in bridged mode as long as the coils are in series.
Has anyone here used a stereo amp to drive their dual voice coil, home, passive sub?
Specifically has anyone used the left channel to drive one coil and the right channel to drive the other coil?
Specifically has anyone used the left channel to drive one coil and the right channel to drive the other coil?
That sounds good to me. You get the deep bass from both channels. Try it and see. Be sure to keep the coils in phase, or you'll cancel out your bass.
Depends on the amplifer design and load placed on it by the woofer.
Do you think they sound lighter when bridged?
Do you think they sound lighter when bridged?
I have a pair of QSC USA-850 pro amps. When bridged, they sound twitchy, bloated--unable to control the woofer. It's difficult to find the right term. They don't sound normal. They tend to run hot, the fan is always kicking into high-speed. There's plenty of power though...
John
John
Most amplifiers I have heard in bridged mode tend to sound more focused in the mid range and the bass tends to sound tighter and faster, subjective terms i know.
I suppose it really does depend on the amplifier, typically I am talking about Class A-B designs.
Is there a difference in the total voltage/current in bridge mode?
Amplifiers are not my strong point and it would be nice for somebody to fill in some gaps for me.
I suppose it really does depend on the amplifier, typically I am talking about Class A-B designs.
Is there a difference in the total voltage/current in bridge mode?
Amplifiers are not my strong point and it would be nice for somebody to fill in some gaps for me.
If I recall correctly, there's a four fold increase in available wattage. That's assuming the power-supply is capable.
John
John
If you read my first post you will see the differences in current and power 😉
When you bridge you need to use double the load impedance compared to when loading a single channel. Carpenter I suggest this is why you think it sounds worse - maybe you are still using the same load?
When you bridge you need to use double the load impedance compared to when loading a single channel. Carpenter I suggest this is why you think it sounds worse - maybe you are still using the same load?
I recommend either to parallel both coils and drive them with a single channel or to connect them in series and drive them with two bridged channels. The reason is quite simple: Dual voice coil speakers are sensitive to unmatched drive of the voice coils, and this is likely to happen when two independent amplifiers or channels are employed.
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