Author Topic: Speaker cabinet wiring (Read 458 times)

count · « **on:** March 26, 2012, 07:52:42 PM »

I'm trying to wrap my head around how to wire my 4x10 cabinet project...
The idea is to be able to use it BOTH as a mono and as a stereo cabinet.
in mono I would have it as a 4 ohm cab, in stereo as a 2x8 ohm cab.
I figure I would need 4 ohm drivers, which I wire in i series to have two pairs of speakers with 8 ohm impedance for both. And two inputs on the backpanel.
Now the tricky part; wire a third input which connects the both of them (the two pairs) in parallell to make it a 4 ohm cab.
Would I need a switch of some sort..?

Does any of this make any sense??

I will be using two GK 800rb amps, which can handle a minimum of 4 ohms impedance.
When playing in mono obviously only one of these bad boys..

sonicus · « **Reply #1 on:** March 26, 2012, 08:18:02 PM »

The GK 800RB will handle 4 OHMS on the 300W side and 8 OHMS on the 100W side . Use 16 ohm speakers in parallel . 2 speakers will give 8 OHMS and 4 speakers will give you 4 ohms mono for the full 300 W. This way you will still have A pair ( stereo) @ 8 OHMS each.

sonicus · « **Reply #2 on:** March 26, 2012, 08:32:03 PM »

As far as your question about a Switch to connect the 2 pairs , just make a parallel Y cord using 12 gauge stranded cable from the outside of the cabinet if you are using 1/4 jacks. Even better is to use BANANA plugs and just use a short jumper banana cable for your parallel connection.

count · « **Reply #3 on:** March 26, 2012, 08:38:28 PM »

I agree with the speakers, how ever 16 ohm bass speakers aren't really that easy to come over. (was planning on using Celestion speakers) Hence the series/parallell choice.
As to the Y-cord: You lost me.. Where do I solder the two ends of the Y..?

count · « **Reply #4 on:** March 26, 2012, 08:48:17 PM »

Was thinking of getting hold of two of these:
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=092-045

sonicus · « **Reply #5 on:** March 26, 2012, 08:55:07 PM »

If you are using 1/4 connections then you would need 3 male 1/4 plugs . Connect 1 to the amplifier output and 1 each to the paired jacks on the cabinet. Start with 2 equal lengths of 12 gauge stranded cable. Keep your positive and negatives paired in correct polarity and attach and solder the 3 plugs .

sonicus · « **Reply #6 on:** March 26, 2012, 08:59:06 PM »

I would not use the part you linked in your post #50 for your speaker application.

(Message edited by sonicus on March 26, 2012)

sonicus · « **Reply #7 on:** March 26, 2012, 09:12:11 PM »

If you are buying new speakers , 16 ohm speakers are available . I just purchased a pair of 16 ohm 10 EV's about a year ago.

count · « **Reply #8 on:** March 26, 2012, 09:15:43 PM »

Now I got you! Hmm.. Okay, it would mean a custom cable contraption. Not too complicated I guess. Maybe a stereo speakercable? And then the two 1/4 jacks on one end (plugged into the speaker) and one 1/4 into the amp.
Something similar to the mono/stereo instrument cable for the series basses.

sonicus · « **Reply #9 on:** March 26, 2012, 09:36:43 PM »

Yes .I would use all MONO TS (tip /sleeve) 1/4 plugs . The big heavy duty ones to fit the 12 gauge cable.

JimmyJ · « **Reply #10 on:** March 27, 2012, 02:15:30 AM »

A couple thoughts... 1/4 is not my favorite choice for speakers just because we're talking about power (think lightbulbs in watts). Definitely not any kind of switching 1/4 jack for this application. Banana plugs or speakon if you can do it.

But 1/4 are convenient, especially when that's what the amp has... Here's a handy source for speaker cabinet parts:
http://www.speakerrepair.com
They sell heavy duty 1/4 jacks and plugs, pre-made cables, and even jack panels, handles and other hardware for speaker cabs.

In full range mode your amp has two speaker outputs so you've already got a parallel connection there. You could wire your cabinet in stereo at 8 ohms per jack and just use two speaker cables to run it mono @ 4.

If you want to run each side at 4 ohms then you'd need a switch or special cable to make the cabinet mono @ 8.
Perhaps something like this:

HA!
Jimmy J

(Message edited by jimmyj on March 27, 2012)

terryc · « **Reply #11 on:** March 27, 2012, 03:52:35 AM »

jeeze....jimmyj, that looks like an 11kV switch housing!!

JimmyJ · « **Reply #12 on:** March 27, 2012, 05:21:57 AM »

Just kidding! But wouldn't that look great as part of the rig?

So yeah, if you run each side @ 4 ohm then you need to run the two sides in series to make it a mono 8 or the amp won't like it. And as Wolf said above, mind the polarity.

Jimmy J

count · « **Reply #13 on:** March 27, 2012, 07:50:33 AM »

Jeez... Why didn't I think of that..
Thanks for the input jimmyj, you just made my life alot easier! Hehe..
It's basically the same as the cable solution, only built into the amp. Awesome..!
And also thanks for the link.
I know all the cons regarding jacks, being both a musician and an engineer.
But I have to say I have never had any bad experiences with them.
I think it's more than anything down to the interface between the plug and the floor. (In other words, the user..)

xlrogue6 · « **Reply #14 on:** March 27, 2012, 11:32:39 AM »

If you go with the 16 ohm speaker option, there are a couple of advantages. First, with the speakers in parallel, if one fails the other 3 keep working. Second, it makes mono/stereo wiring a simple 2 jack option. You can use the Cliff panel mount jacks (like this: http://www.mcmelectronics.com/product/CLIFF-ELECTRONIC-COMPONENTS-CL1160A-/CL1160A ). Wire your 2 8 ohm parallel pairs, one to each jack, then jumper the switching contacts of one jack to the plug contacts (where the leads from the speakers are connected)of the other, and voila! instant mono stereo switching, i.e., when you plug into the jack with the switching contacts connected you split the speaker pairs.