Connect 4 speakers to a 2 speaker Stereo
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Connect 4 speakers to a 2 speaker Stereo
I have on old AIWA compact stereo model number CX-NV70U that I知 using as my back-yard stereo. It has connections for 2 main speakers, a subwoofer and 2 surround speakers. I知 only using the 2 main speaker inputs. I知 not using the original speakers since there for inside use. I have some inexpensive 3-way outdoor speakers. Although this is a 2-speaker system I ran wire for 4 speakers. Two under my covered porch and two about 20 to 30 feet away along my back fence. My goal is to have even sound in my yard. If I only install 2 speakers on my porch I would have to blast the music to hear it at the other end of my yard. Here is the problem. How to connect 4 speakers to a 2-speaker stereo without loss of power?
I ran speaker cable to each of the 4 speakers. I then connected the 2 left speakers to one input on the stereo and the 2 right speakers to the other input. The problem is that the speakers farthest away from the house are not as loud as the ones nearest the stereo. If I stand equal distance form all of the speakers I can only hear the ones on my porch where my stereo is.
The stereo speaker output is 6ohms. The 4 speakers are 4 to 6 ohms each. Any ideas how to fix this would be greatly appreciated.
I ran speaker cable to each of the 4 speakers. I then connected the 2 left speakers to one input on the stereo and the 2 right speakers to the other input. The problem is that the speakers farthest away from the house are not as loud as the ones nearest the stereo. If I stand equal distance form all of the speakers I can only hear the ones on my porch where my stereo is.
The stereo speaker output is 6ohms. The 4 speakers are 4 to 6 ohms each. Any ideas how to fix this would be greatly appreciated.
#2
The ones from the porch may sound louder...just because of them being on the porch.
Ideally you would have 4 identical speakers...but if not...I've found the best way to wire them (though it will look odd) is a staggered or varying pattern. Place 2 speakers that are the same at opposite corners (call those 1 and 3, then place the other 2 in the other corners (2 and 4).
Wire as follows... 1 and 3 are left channel, 2 and 4 are right. So that no matter what 2 speakers you face...you are getting both channels. Now, they may be reversed...but that's not that big a deal.
As I said...it works better with 4 speakers all the same. You'd be surprised what you might find at garage sales or second hand stores.
I have a similar setup in my garage with a little old pansonic mini system and I gotta say...it can rock pretty well until I hit distortion levels. A shame It has no aux input or I'd hook in my TV...gotta use a soundbar for that.
Ideally you would have 4 identical speakers...but if not...I've found the best way to wire them (though it will look odd) is a staggered or varying pattern. Place 2 speakers that are the same at opposite corners (call those 1 and 3, then place the other 2 in the other corners (2 and 4).
Wire as follows... 1 and 3 are left channel, 2 and 4 are right. So that no matter what 2 speakers you face...you are getting both channels. Now, they may be reversed...but that's not that big a deal.
As I said...it works better with 4 speakers all the same. You'd be surprised what you might find at garage sales or second hand stores.
I have a similar setup in my garage with a little old pansonic mini system and I gotta say...it can rock pretty well until I hit distortion levels. A shame It has no aux input or I'd hook in my TV...gotta use a soundbar for that.
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Thanks for the info. Now I need to test polarity. I found a free IOS app called JBL tools. I went to the website to download a test signal but there are so many of them I don't know which one to use. Nothing is ever easy!!!
#4
Some power is lost in the wires.
Some speakers are more efficient that others, namely give more volume for a given amoutn of power.
For speakers of approximately the same impedance or less impedance than the amplifier, connect them in series. That is, plus of the amp to plus of one speaker. Minus of that speaker to plus of the second speaker. Minus of the second speaker back to minus of the amp.
Suggest 12 gauge wires for a round trip distance of 60 to 100 feet, 14 gauge wires for a round trip of 30 to 60 feet.
Some speakers are more efficient that others, namely give more volume for a given amoutn of power.
For speakers of approximately the same impedance or less impedance than the amplifier, connect them in series. That is, plus of the amp to plus of one speaker. Minus of that speaker to plus of the second speaker. Minus of the second speaker back to minus of the amp.
Suggest 12 gauge wires for a round trip distance of 60 to 100 feet, 14 gauge wires for a round trip of 30 to 60 feet.
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Thanks for the info. I tested polarity of my speakers and they are now in synch. I ran the speakers in series. Two for the left side and 2 for the right side. They now sound much better. The 2 speakers farthest from the house are much louder. I'm gettting a more even sound throughtout my yard. Thaks again.