Car Stereos: Amp and subwoofer wiring - 4 Ohm DVC sub or 2Ohm DVC sub, dual voice coil, impedance capability

Question

image   QUESTION: Hi Justin,

I have bought an amplifier whose specs are as below:
•(RMS)Continuous output power: 1 x 360 W (2 Ohm)
         : 1 x 250 W (4 Ohms)
•Load impedance capability (2 — 4 Ohms)

Could you please advise me from the below mentioned subwoofers which would perform efficiently at the optimum with a better SQ considering the subwoofers ( 4 Ohm DVC and 2 Ohm DVC)have the same output of RMS Power 500W

2 Ohm DVC sub connected in series as per figure 1 for a 4 Ohm load on the amplifier
or
4 Ohm DVC sub connected in parallel as per figure 2 for a 2 Ohm load on the amplifier


Any help regarding the query  will be much appreciated. Thanks in advance

Michael

ANSWER: Hi Michael,

If you're buying one subwoofer to go on that amplifier, a dual voice coil 4 ohm wired in parallel would make more sense since the amp is rated to provide power to a 2ohm circuit.

Justin

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Justin,

Thanks for the prompt reply. Any particular reason that the dual 2 Ohm DVC will not be as good since the amp is also rated to provide power to  a 4 Ohm circuit.

Thanks once again

Michael

Answer
Hi Michael,

Lower impedance means more power can travel across the electrical connection, so you'll find pretty much every amplifier in existence can provide more power, the lower the impedance.

That said, lower impedance means a hotter amp and more electricity passing through, so you have to be sure your amp can handle the impedance level provided.

The amp's highest power output occurs at the lowest safe impedance rating, which a dual 4ohm voice coil subwoofer will get you.

Justin