Skip to content

Speaker Cabinet Wiring Diagrams

It is important to match the speaker load with your amplifier’s output impedance for a couple of reasons. One reason is that you will get maximum transfer of power. The other reason is that you can sometimes approach dangerous conditions for your amp if you have the incorrect load. When in doubt, it is safer to go higher in impedance to help protect the amplifier. The manner in which your speakers (in a multi-speaker system) are wired together determines the overall impedance.

Wiring Configuration for 2 Speakers in Parallel

 

Two 4 ohm speakers = 2 ohm load
Two 8 ohm speakers = 4 ohm load
Two 16 ohm speakers = 8 ohm load

Wiring Configuration for 2 Speakers in Series

 

Two 2 ohm speakers = 4 ohm load
Two 4 ohm speakers = 8 ohm load
Two 8 ohm speakers = 16 ohm load

Wiring Configuration for 4 Speakers in Parallel

 

Four 8 ohm speakers = 2 ohm load
Four 16 ohm speakers = 4 ohm load
Four 32 ohm speakers = 8 ohm load

Wiring Configuration for 4 Speakers in Series/Parallel

 

Four 4 ohm speakers = 4 ohm load
Four 8 ohm speakers = 8 ohm load
Four 16 ohm speakers = 16 ohm load