Can you wire two 4 ohm subs in series with a another 8 ohm sub?

Question

Im curious as if this will work.Can you wire Two 4 ohm subs in series to achieve a 8 ohm load....then wire a single 8 ohm sub in parallel with the other two subs?This would technically be a series-parallel configuration....correct?Would it sound ok?Or would the two 4 ohm subs get more power?Wouldnt the over all load be 4 ohms?Ive done this many times but they were all the same impedance.Ive wired 8 subs before at a 2 ohm load but as I said before,They were all the same impedance.

Answer 1

Sure it would work.  It would sound pretty bad but that happens any time you mix subs.  

What would happen would be that the 8 ohm sub would be twice as powerful as the 4 ohm subs.  Since the two 4 ohm subs are wired in parallel it would be the same as an 8 ohm load.  So the power distribution would be even between the 8 ohm subs and the two 4 ohm subs.  It would be a 4 ohm overall load like you said.  

You can also think of it like this.  When you wire in parallel the voltage of each branch is going to be the same.  What varies is the current.  We all no that current will take the path of least resistance.  But in this case the resistance of both branches is the same.  So the current would be the same in each branch.  But since the one branch has two subs in series that power would be split between the two subs.

If the 4 ohm subs had a 3 db higher efficieny rating then the 8 ohm sub then technically they would be just as loud.  But then you would still have other problems like cancellation and all that.

Answer 2

As you stated it would be a series-parallel configuration, but it would sound like runny c**p though. Now that you mention it, it would be pretty funny to hear though. But it is very possible, just not good for the ears.

Answer 3

You can do it, but it's probably going to sound terrible.  You're mixing different components trying to accomplish the same mission.  Not good when it comes to audio.  You'll have different resonant frequencies and efficiencies fighting each other rather then complimenting each other.  What you're doing is a very poorly designed and though out system.  

Strike ... please try again.

Answer 4

yes it will work, i currently run 2 15" Lanzar competion series dual voice coil 8 ohm subs( effectively 4ohms each in paralell) and a Lanzar 15" single voice coil 8 ohm sub in the same configuration in my transam and they hit like a TANK ! using 3 Eclipse ZA1200 amps (1000 watts @ 4 ohms each amp). earthquake on wheels!

Answer 5

It'll work.  I did this back in the day with a RF Punch 150HD with a RF Pro 12" (8 ohm) and 2 Soundstreamm SS-10's. (4 ohm ea.)  150HD ran 4 ohm, bridged mono ... nice & safe.  Knocked hard ...

Could be the solution til' those G5's make an appearance...

Answer 6

Yep It will work. I've had some success with it in the past.