can this be done

[Dayvo]

Just wondering if it is possible to run 4 speakers off a 2 channel amp . Can you run 2 speakers "in series " of the one channel or is that a big NO

[Phreddy]

Hey Dayvo.

Running speakers in series isn't a real good idea - not least of all that you add the impedances together, so the amp won't be able to push the same amount of power. (if speakers are 4 ohm and you series connect 2 of them, you've made the load impedance 8 ohms - your amp will only be able to develop half of it's rated power @ 4 ohms)

Parallel connection of the speakers would be fine, but ONLY if your amp is capable of driving 2 ohm loads. See, the opposite happens when you parallel connect - the total impedance load drops. If the speaker units are the same rated impedance, you basically halve that. 4 ohms in parallel with another 4 ohms makes a total load of 2 ohms.

The problem might be that if your amp isn't rated to run into 2 ohm loads, you might fry it. (or at least some protection mechanism might be triggered) At 2 ohms you'll be pulling twice the amount of current through the amp's final stages. Look at the specs of most amps - if they're capable of running 2 ohm loads, the output power will be substantially higher than for 4 ohm loads - ideally double.

Have a good look in the book for your amp (if you still have it), or look up the specs on the web. Failing that, let us know the make and model of your amp, someone here might have the info off the top of their head.

Cheerz!

[Dayvo]

Thanks for the prompt reply . My son wants to put his 4 channel amp and 4 new speakers plus sub in his VY but use the stock head unit.

[rch-13z]

I ruined a perfectly good 1000w fusion amp that way back a few years....

Phreddy is a legend like that...

[88GreenVN]

I hooked up 2 rear speakers to the standard VN radio - just took the wires off the front speakers. Had very low sound output, not real good at all really. In went the 4 channel CD player and alls good.

[1991_Vn2nV]

Thanks for the prompt reply . My son wants to put his 4 channel amp and 4 new speakers plus sub in his VY but use the stock head unit.

There is an issue in that though.

The speakers will not be seperated i.e. Front and Rear. You can still have Left and Right control but if 2 speakers are up front, 2 at the back... You will no longer be able to fade the volume towards the rear or front and in my opinion this would make for a poor sounding setup.

If however, it were 4 speakers in the same spot such as all 4 on the parcel shelf... Then this wouldnt matter. I have the feeling your son is using 2 speakers in the front and 2 in the rear though.

[bezz]

why not run an aftermarket headunit? You could then run the fronts and sub off the amp and run the rears off the h/u and still have complete fader control. problem solvered

[wrx884]

or being a VY give Pheddy a PM and ask him 4 his standard stereo mod u wont need an after market unit then. check out his site 4 more info.

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