Amplifiers are audio devices that are designed to drive speakers. Monoblock amplifiers are special one-channel amplifiers that are normally used to drive subwoofers. In this article, we focus on how to wire a monoblock amplifier to subwoofers in various series and parallel configurations.
What Is A Monoblock Amp?
A monoblock amp has one channel and transfers a single audio signal to a specific speaker. They are majorly used to drive car subwoofers or individual channels in advanced car sound systems.
Monoblock amps can generate single power signals and are matched to the low-frequency design of a subwoofer.
However, mono amps are designed explicitly for low-frequency sound reproduction, such as the deep bass reproduced by the subwoofer.
How Does A Monoblock Power Amp Work?
The primary function of a monoblock amp is to transmit a single audio signal. Monoblock amplifiers are, therefore, majorly used to produce the power to drive a single signal speaker.
Since mono amps are not full-range amplifiers, they lack left-right separation and cannot reproduce stereo signals. The amps are ideally suited to drive low-frequency audio signals to your subwoofers.
Subwoofers, for instance, will typically generate low-frequency sound. In fact, the power amps can take a line-level signal that comes out of the processor and then include the power to it so that it can comfortably drive the speakers.
Wiring a Monoblock Amplifier to 1 Subwoofer
How To Wire A Monoblock Amplifier To 1 Subwoofer
Wiring a Monoblock Amplifier to 2 Subwoofers
How To Wire A Monoblock Amplifier To 2 Subwoofers
How Do You Wire A Monoblock Amp To 1 Ohm?
Wiring can sometimes be so confusing, especially if you have never tried it before. We are going to break down the process into simple and easy-to-understand steps.
However, before you wire your amp to 1 ohm, make sure it states that it’s compatible with a 1-ohm load.
1 Ohm Wiring Instructions
Before you start the wiring process, determine the number of subwoofers connected to the monoblock, the requirements, and the power output of your amp. Also, you can do wiring in series or parallel.
1. Wiring One 2 Ohm DVC Subwoofer To 1 Ohm Load
This is one of the most straightforward setups for wiring your amp to a 1-ohm load. If your monoblock amp is stable at 1 ohm, it will have one positive and negative terminal while the subwoofer has two +ve and two –ve terminals.
Begin by bridging the subwoofer with a short wire connecting the +ve terminals and another connecting the -ve terminals.
Wire the +ve terminals of the subwoofer to the +ve terminal of the amp and the -terminals on the subwoofer to the -ve terminal on the amp.
2. Wiring Two 2 Ohm Subwoofers To A 1 Ohm Load
Wire the +ve terminal on the monoblock to the +ve terminal on the first subwoofer. Then, connect the +ve terminal on the first subwoofer to the +ve terminal on the second subwoofer.
Now connect the -ve terminal on the amp to the -ve terminal on the first subwoofer. Finish the connection by wiring the -ve terminal on the first subwoofer to the -ve terminal on the second subwoofer using a second wire.
3. Wiring Two 4 Ohm DVC Subwoofers To A 1 Ohm Load
To wire your monoblock amplifier to two 4 ohm subwoofers, follow the steps below:
Step 1: Wire the first +ve terminal on the amp to the first +ve terminal on the subwoofer.
Step 2: Then, wire the first +ve terminal on the first subwoofer to the second +ve terminal on the first subwoofer.
Step 3: Wire the second +ve terminal on the first subwoofer to the first +ve terminal on the second subwoofer.
Step 4: Wire the first +ve terminal on the second subwoofer to the second +ve terminal on the second subwoofer.
Step 5: Wire the -ve terminal from your amplifier to the first -ve terminal on the second subwoofer.
Step 6: Wire the first -ve terminal on the second subwoofer to the second -ve terminal on the second subwoofer.
Step 7: Wire the second -ve terminal on the second subwoofer to the first -ve terminal on the first subwoofer.
Step 8: Wire the first -ve terminal on the first subwoofer to the second -ve terminal on the first subwoofer.
How Do You Wire A Monoblock Amp To 8 Ohm
In this section, we show you how to wire two 8 ohm speakers to a monoblock amp. Let’s look at both the series and parallel connections.
Speakers In Series
To wire two 8 ohm speakers in series to your mono amp, follow the steps below:
Step 1: Plug the negative terminal of the amplifier into the negative terminal of the first speaker.
Step 2: Connect the positive terminal of the first speaker to the negative terminal of the second speaker.
Step 3: Connect the positive terminal of the second speaker to the positive terminal of the amplifier.
By connecting the speakers in series, you are adding the speaker impedances together. As a result, the two 8 ohm speakers end up with a total impedance of 16 ohms. Make sure your monoblock amp can support 16 ohms impedance before wiring 8 ohm speakers in series.
Speakers In Parallel
The speakers can also be wired in parallel. Follow the steps below to complete the connection.
Step 1: Plug the negative terminal of the amplifier into the negative terminal of the first speaker.
Step 2: Hook the negative terminal of the first speaker to the negative terminal of the second speaker.
Step 3: Plug the positive terminal of the amplifier into the positive terminal of the first speaker.
Step 4: Wire the positive terminal of the first speaker to the positive terminal of the second speaker.
For parallel connection, if the speakers have similar impedance, the resulting speaker impedance is half of each. For instance, because we are wiring 8 ohm speakers, the resulting impedance of the two speakers is 4 ohms.
If your mono amp is 4 ohms, connecting the two speakers in parallel will be the most ideal option as it matches the amplifier.
Before you choose which connection to use, please note the following:
- If the resulting impedance of the speakers is too low, there are more chances of damaging the amplifier.
- Consult your amp manual for wiring exceptions, warnings, or variations to avoid making a mistake that could make the process more expensive and nonrewarding.
How Do You Set Up A Monoblock Amp?
Whether a musician, an aspiring musician, DJ, or just a listener, every music lover will only appreciate a certain quality of sound that they can perceive and enjoy.
That is why setting up an amplifier correctly is a critical element of efficiently utilizing your musical equipment.
An amp is basically an advanced version of a speaker. Similar to speakers, amps also come with some external control switches and knobs that require to be adjusted occasionally to ensure the amp functions properly and the sound quality is superb.
A monoblock amp resembles a small block and is usually used in cars. Drivers use these mono amps to push their subs to ensure the long journeys are not dull. The big question is, however, how to tune them up. Here is a guide on how to tune your monoblock amplifier.
If you want to set up your monoblock amp for the best sound quality in your car today, follow the steps below.
Step 1: Keep The Head Unit Settings At Flat
First, ensure all the head unit settings of your amp are kept flat. This should include all the bass boosts and other sound effects. Keep them at the minimum level.
Step 2: Turn Up The Head Unit Volume
Now turn the head unit volume to the loudest it can go without any distortion.
Step 3: Turn Down Bass Boosts
Turn down all the gains and bass boosts to the minimum.
Step 4: Turn Up Low Pass
Now turn up the low pass to the maximum level.
Step 5: Set Up The CD
Put a 50 Hz 6Db tone on a CD and increase the gains until you notice some change in the output.
Step 6: Adjust The Subsonic Filter
Now adjust your subsonic filter to a level where your subwoofer is tuned to.
Step 7: Lower The Low Pass Filter
Bring the low pass filter down to 80.
Step 8: Adjust The Phase
Adjust the phase depending on the position of your speakers. If the subwoofers are typically mounted, keep the phase at zero degrees. If they are not mounted, adjust the phase to one hundred and eighty degrees. Continue to change the phase until you get the desired output.
Remember to keep the volume at a reasonable level as you carry out this setup. The volume should not be too loud and not too low. Also, if the amp shuts down due to overheating and you need to set it up again, you need to let it cool off first before trying to tune it.
How Many Speakers Can You Connect To A Mono Amp?
You can connect more than two speakers in series and parallel to the monoblock. However, you should calculate the total impedance of the speakers to ensure it matches that of the amp to avoid ruining your monoblock.
Is Stereo Louder Than Mono?
Generally, stereo is not louder than mono. However, stereo may sound louder because it sends two different channels to the speakers and creates a simulation of space and width. However, if the two are compared on even speakers operating at the same volume settings, both stereo and mono should be at equal dB levels.