The best sound is always possible with the use of multiple speakers and amplifiers. However, pushing the amplifier and speakers to the threshold level is not advisable, and you need to systematically connect various speakers so it won’t overload the amplifier. The great challenge comes with overloading. However, there’s a way to play music at an upgraded sound while managing the overloading. Read on to learn how to connect 4 speakers to a 2 channel receiver in three different ways.
Connecting 4 Speakers to a 2 Channel Receiver
There are three effective ways on how to connect 4 speakers to a 2 channel receiver. The method you choose depends on your speaker and amplifier’s limitations. It is vital to consider your device’s minimum and maximum level of impedance as well as their limits.
Connecting Speaker in Series
Series configuration may not be the most excellent way to connect many speakers to a single receiver, but the strategy works with four speakers. Here’s how to do it:
- Attach the audio cable from your amp’s positive terminal to the first speaker’s positive terminal.
- Attach the second wire from the first speaker’s negative terminal to the second speaker’s positive terminal.
- Do the same procedure with your third and fourth speakers.
- Connect another audio wire from the amplifier’s negative terminal to the last speaker’s negative terminal in the series.
Connecting Speaker in Parallel
This connection strategy is the most practical way on how to connect 4 speakers to a 2 channel receiver. It involves a simple process of connecting all the speakers directly to the amplifier. It is called a parallel connection because the cables are wired in parallel without using too many wires and other connections. Here’s how to it:
- Attach wires from the amplifier’s left positive and negative terminals to one of the left speakers’ matching terminals.
- Attach another pair of cables from the amplifier’s same positive and negative terminals to the other left speaker’s matching terminals.
- Do the same procedure for the right pair of speakers.
Through Speaker Selector Switch
This technique is the safest way on how to connect 4 speakers to a 2 channel receiver. Speaker selector switches refer to devices that distribute sound to speakers. They are considered safe because they protect the amplifier from overloading. Keep in mind that it won’t work well if your amplifier exceeds 100 watts. Here’s how to do it:
- Attach the selector box’s input wires to the amp’s output jack and connect all of your speakers.
- If your switch has a separate volume control, you can individually control each of the speakers.
It is the best connection strategy that works excellent when you have a multi-room speaker installation in your home.
Tips in Wiring Four Speakers
Learning how to connect 4 speakers to a 2 channel receiver will give you an unmatched audio system as long as you handle the power loading. The suggested techniques above will work, but they have certain considerations as well. The most significant limitation includes volume control. The best procedure to set up a system with speaker volume controls is to turn all the speaker volume controls up. You also have to gradually increase the amplifier’s volume control until you reach your desired volume or loudness. You also have to note that each speaker has a different sensitivity and impedance, which means different power levels are available in each speaker, so you have to be attentive to those details. Learn more about connecting speakers here!
Conclusion
It is essential to know how to connect 4 speakers to a 2 channel receiver because failing to protect your amplifier from overloading may lead to several issues and more damage. Choose among the three methods that will work for you and ensure that you don’t overload your amplifier.
Though, in general, it is not recommended to connect multiple speakers to an amplifier, you always will get the best audio system advantage when using the right technique of speaker-amplifier connection. It guarantees not only your amplifier’s safety but also the ease of control and set up, all for a more improved sound system.