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How to Add Speaker Cabinets to Each Other

Speaker cabinets can usually be connected in a series. But speakers must be matched properly to avoid permanent damage to your amplifier. Amplifiers are measured in output watts, determined by speaker ohm loads. Speakers are measured in ohms and amplifier-wattage handling capacity. Wattage handling of speakers can be figured by adding the wattage ratings of each cabinet or speaker. Ohm loads, however, require a bit of math. The best way to start is by looking up the wattage and ohm specifications of all equipment in the owner's manual, company web site or on the label attached to the equipment.

Things You'll Need

  • Amplifier
  • Speaker(s)
  • Speaker cable for each speaker
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Instructions

  1. Calculating Wattage and Ohms

    • 1

      Determine wattage and ohm ratings of your amplifier. All amplifiers have a minimum speaker ohm requirement that must be met to avoid damaging the amp. Typical amplifier ohm ratings are 8 and 16, with some amps capable of handling 4 ohms. Wattage usually increases as ohm levels decrease, and this can be a dangerous situation for most amplifiers, especially tube models.

    • 2

      Determine the wattage, or power-handling capacity, and the ohm capacity of each speaker cabinet. If multiple speakers are enclosed, the ohm rating can be changed somewhat by rewiring the speakers using a speaker wiring chart. Total power capacity is determined by figuring the combined wattage of all cabinets. It is not altered or determined by speaker ohms.

    • 3

      Plug the first cabinet into the amplifier's speaker output with a quality speaker cable.

    • 4

      Using more speaker cable, plug the second speaker cabinet into the first cabinet's additional speaker jack. This manner of connection is called "series," and will divide the total ohm rating by the number of cabinets. For example, two eight-ohm speaker cabinets wired in series will cause the ohm rating to change to four-ohms. The total ohm rating must match the minimum ohm rating of the amplifier.

    • 5

      Turn on the amplifier and test for operation.

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