Wiring two channels to one speaker is possible in a number of ways. However, if you are not careful, it can kill your amplifier. In this guide, we will discuss some methods for connecting one speaker to two channels and determine which method is the best and what you should do to ensure that your amp remains safe at all times.
What You Need to Know
Wiring two channels also depend on the impedance of your speaker. Read your speaker’s impedance from the speaker box or the back of the speaker. Several speakers have an impedance of 4 ohms, 6 ohms and 8 ohms.
You must know the impedance of the speaker you want to wire. If this is not indicated on the speaker or its box, look up the speaker online or get in touch with the manufacturer’s technical support team.
Note that several sound experts do not recommend this practice. The ideal strategy would be to get another speaker and connect them to both channels. If you only want to use one speaker, you can connect it on one channel instead of two.
How to Wire 2 Channels to 1 Speaker
If you want to know how to wire two channels to one speaker, there are several methods that you can use. These methods will depend on the setup of the amplifier and mode of wiring.
1. Connecting the Right and Left Channels Together
You can try to connect the left and right channels together and then connect them to your speaker. This is a parallel circuit and will deliver the same current as would a single channel. You will not feel much difference in the quality of sound. In fact, this type of connection can negatively affect your sound quality.
The channels will also fight each other. This will cause your amp to heat up and may also kill it. Therefore, it may be ideal not to use this method of connection. You should also know how to switch speaker sides left and right output to one speaker to get the right sound.
2. Bridge Arrangement
A bridge arrangement or bridge circuit is when two circuits or, in this case, channels that are parallel to each other are bridged by another party connected between the two channels. When bridging two channels to one speaker, connect the speaker’s positive terminal to the positive terminal of the first channel.
Next, connect another wire from the negative terminal of the speaker to the negative terminal of the second channel. You can also connect two channels to one speaker stereo amp to mono speaker using the MONO switch method.
3. Mono Switch Method
Several old amplifiers have A MONO switch that can allow you to connect two channels to one speaker. This method is very safe. If you do not have an old amplifier with a MONO switch, you may have to make one.
Also Read: What is a Full Range Speaker? Should I Go For It?
Final Words
These are some common methods that you can use to wire two channels to one speaker. Though connecting two channels to one speaker may not be ideal, you should use the right method to ensure the safety of your equipment. If you still want to connect your speaker to both channels, it may be safe to use the MONO switch or the bridge method.
