Sorry for the "newbie" question, but I have real concerns about how the local "professional" shop is wiring this up...therefore, the question:

If I have a two-channel amp that I plan to run sub-woofers with (JL Audio twin 8" subs mounted in a Stealth Box) what is the "correct" procedure to wire them for maximum performance?

For example, the amp has two sets of outputs (obviously), a right and left side, each with a "+" and a "-".
The Stealth Box has TWO subs in it, but only ONE set of inputs (1 red, and 1 black) on the side that accepts the wires from the amp.

Therefore, do you just run a single set of outputs (right side?) from the amp to the Subs, or will that power ONLY ONE of the two subs? Is it preferable to somehow run EACH channel from the amp to an individual sub, and how is that accomplished?

Sorry for all the questions, but I have a feeling that they are taking a "shortcut" with this wiring..
Thanks in advance,
HMB

 

*Usually*...when the box itself has only one set of inputs, meants that the subs inside are already wired for amp distribution (bridge).....To bridge a 2 channel amp, you would take the + of the right channel and the - of the left channel. Does this answer your question??

 

Cool--so the box is basically "made" for a bridged amp situation!

I think they had me wired using one "side" ---the right amp channel ONLY to the box itself. WRONG!!

Shows how much the "professional" knows!
Thanks a LOT Dave! I was hoping you'd respond!

Harley
P.S. I am also NOT impressed with the "basic" speaker wire that they are running--will better quality speaker wires give a better-defined bass response, and what do you suggest as far as brand/ price?

 

You can only bridge an amp that is made to be bridged (unless you do some external electronics). If you have an amp that is not designed for bridging, connecting to + of the right channel and the - of the left channel will give you a connection to the right channel only.

If the amp is designed to be bridged they invert the output of the left channel, making the + side connected to ground, then invert the input too. The two inversions cancel each other out if you use the amp in 2-channel mode, keeping the speakers in phase. In 2-channel mode each speaker is connected to ground and one "hot" output from the amp. If you wire the output for bridged, you are using the "hot" side of each amp, giving you twice the amplification.

To tell if an amp is made to be bridged, use an ohm-meter on it's lowest scale and check to see which speaker output terminals are connected to each other (with the speakers removed and the amp powered down of course). Non-bridged amps will have both (-) terminals connected to each other (ground). On a bridged amp, right (-) is ground and left (+) is ground, so they will be shorted together inside the amp.

Probably more informatin than you need.

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