Questionhello, i'm trying to decide how to wire my subs to a mono block amp. I have 2 4-ohm DVC subs. The manual suggests two ways that interest me. The first is series voice coils/ woofers wired in parallel (8-ohm and 8-ohm=4 ohm load). The second is paralleled voice coils/ woofers wired in series. (2-ohm and 2-ohm= 4 ohm). I have included the link which has the pictures on the bottom half of page 17. (http://www.kicker.com/05/tech-support/manuals/manuals/02SL5TechManualV2_0.pdf)
I'm trying to prolong the life of my subs because i had a recent pair that the voice coils blew or burnt up on. My question is, does one of these configurations cause the speaker to run hotter? Or will they run the same with either configuration, as they both show the amp a 4-ohm load? Any help you could provide would be very much appreciated. Thank You, Robert Simmons.
Answer
Interesting question, Mr Simmons
!
But for all practical purposes, the answer is going to be the same.
The 'larger' motor/coil of DVC might produce measurable differences but none that would worth changing your decision on in this case.
The real factor here (as to longevity)is the average power going across them as the amp sees it, of course. Clipping can kill a speakers' Voice Coil very fast and is usually the cause with burned VC's. You can easily blow a 1500 watt speaker with a 50 watt amp if you (over)crank it enough. Of course, it is futile to think you can make a 1500 watt speaker array hit a bit harder just by turning an Amps level up or adding bass once it has reached its' RMS power rating. Accurate RMS average power settings are not as easy to attain as one might think... and that does not even take into account when one might have some extra bass added at the deck. Rest assured, this can make clipping occur at even Low to Moderate volumes! There is no reason a properly loaded, setup [and taken care of] modern speaker cannot last 50 years if it never clips. Clipping only reduces output and damages the speaker, so avoid it at all costs. When a well trained human ear notices audible clipping, the system is probably over 10% distortion already. Average people may not hear it until 25%.
Food for thot.
I might add to try reducing the amp level and any other signal boosting stuff like EQ's or bass boost buttons that might be on the amp... And 'tuning' the subwoofers output level to your systems weakest link (in the speakers) if you want accuracy and longevity.
Most of all be sure to reduce any Equalization boosts b4 you twist it up too loud ;)
Good luck and thanks for the question.
Sincerely,
Jerry Mael
