Is It Possible To Wire 2 12" Alpine Type R SWR-1242D DVC 4ohm Subs For A 2 ohm Load??

Question

I have 2 12" Alpine Type R SWR-1242D DVC subwoofers (500w rms) and a Kicker 06ZX1000.1. I know that DVC 4 ohm subs are supposedly impossible to wire for a final impedance of 2 ohms but I have heard many people tell me this is possible. If so, how can you wire this set up? Also, many say "wire in parallel" but it seems as though many have not actually seen the SWR-1242D subs. Both terminals are combined on 1 large terminal consisting of 4 voice coils. They come with 2 U-shaped connections (+, -) to create 4 ohms for each subwoofer. Here's a better picture of what i'm talking about: http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_4281_Alpine+SWR-1242D+-TYPE+R-.html. You will have to click on the photo and scroll down to the last photo. With this in mind, should I just ditch the U-shaped connections and stick with a certain wiring diagram? I need help! Someone please show me how to wire these subs with the best results in combination w/my amp. Anything would help! Thanks

Answer 1

While it is possible to wire two 4 ohm DVC subs to a 2 ohm load it is not a recommended wiring method.  The only way you would be able to do this is if you ran 1 voice coil on both subs.  Then you would run a wire connecting the positive and negative terminals of the other voice coil.  Then the subs would be wired in parallel with each other to make a 2 ohm load.  

The problem with this is that since only a single voice coil is used your overall power handling is lowered.  It is lowered by about 10-25% of the rated RMS power.  Due to this you can damage your sub by overpowering easier.  

Another problem is going to be that the T/S parameters (the electrical and mechanical properties of the sub) are changed.  This means that the enclosure needs for your subs are going to be changed.  So you will need a different sized enclosure then what the manual states.  You will not know what size to use unless you were to measure the T/S parameters of the subs.

So basically you should not try wiring your subs to a 2 ohm load.  If you can, you should get the 2 ohm version of that sub.  Those will work perfectly with that amp.  

P.S - Your sub only has 2 voice coils, there are 4 speaker terminals not 4 voice coils.  

Good Luck!!!