There are three basic styles of wiring an Alpine Type-S subwoofer to a car amplifier. Series and parallel wiring is used for multiple subwoofers, while a single subwoofer system can be installed using one method. Prior to wiring your subwoofers to the amplifier, consult the manufacturer manuals for both the Alpine Type-S subwoofers and the amplifier. The manufacturer manuals will likely recommend a particular wiring method over another, since the wiring method used is reliant upon the number of subwoofers, the type of amplifier and the impedance of the subwoofers.
A single subwoofer system is the easiest type to wire. This wiring type requires that a connection be made between the positive terminal of the amplifier and the positive terminal of the subwoofer. The negative terminal of the amplifier must also be connected with the negative terminal of the subwoofer. Virtually every subwoofer box will have a terminal cup that will allow the amplifier to connect to the subwoofer.
Parallel wiring types are used to connect multiple subwoofers and is used to lower the impedance of the subwoofers. This increases the power that is fed to each of the subwoofers. Parallel wiring involves connecting the amplifier to a subwoofer then the second subwoofer to the first subwoofer. The positive terminals will always be connected with one another while the negative terminals will be connected separately.
Series wiring will increase the impedance of the subwoofers and will reduce the acoustical output. This wiring scheme may be required by some subwoofer and amplifier combinations and is particularly useful in rear-fill or center-channel speakers. In this wiring style, the positive terminal of the amplifier will connect with the positive terminal of one of the subwoofers. The negative terminal of the amplifier will connect with the negative terminal of the other subwoofer. The remaining connections will be made between the subwoofers.
