Proper way to wire speakers

[HFD Firefighter]

I want to know the proper way to wire 3 speakers to be controlled by one in wall volume control. The volume control has 2 channels on it (left and right). I was thinking of using a dual voice coil speaker for the center speaker and 2 single coil speakers for the left and right. Is this possible and if so, what is the correct way to wire it?

Thanks

 

[highfigh]

I want to know the proper way to wire 3 speakers to be controlled by one in wall volume control. The volume control has 2 channels on it (left and right). I was thinking of using a dual voice coil speaker for the center speaker and 2 single coil speakers for the left and right. Is this possible and if so, what is the correct way to wire it?

Thanks

Make sure control will work that way- call the manufacturer, if you want.

Look at this setup as 4 speakers, not 3. Each voice coil would connect to one channel.

You need to connect the dual voice coil speaker in parallel with the others and if you ran two conductor wire to each speaker, the dual voice coil speaker needs two of them. You can't connect a dual voice coil speaker to a stereo volume control as a single speaker if the load becomes 4 Ohms for that one speaker. The volume control should be able to handle a 4 Ohm load on each channel, though. You also can't connect the dual voice coil speakers coils in series if the speaker has any kind of crossover- the frequency response will be severely limited.

The volume control should have come with a diagram- if not, go to the manufacturer's website and look for that part number.

 

[HFD Firefighter]

Highfigh,

I read what you wrote, but I'm still confused. Is it possible to use one in-wall volume control switch to control 3 in ceiling speakers (8 ohms each)? For example the switch I have is the OSD Audio VMS-300 slider.

This switch has a L and R input from receiver and a L and R output to the speakers. It also has impedence matching settings.

Please let me know the best way to control 3 speakers with one in-wall volume switch.

Thanks

 

[highfigh]

Highfigh,

I read what you wrote, but I'm still confused. Is it possible to use one in-wall volume control switch to control 3 in ceiling speakers (8 ohms each)? For example the switch I have is the OSD Audio VMS-300 slider.

This switch has a L and R input from receiver and a L and R output to the speakers. It also has impedence matching settings.

Please let me know the best way to control 3 speakers with one in-wall volume switch.

Thanks

"You need to connect the dual voice coil speaker in parallel with the others" is what I posted and that's how the speakers need to be wired. The impedance matching is for the amplifier, when more than one volume control is used.

One thing I will say about the sliding volume controls- they have a higher incidence of going bad and when they do, it causes a short circuit, which can damage the amplifier or impedance compensation device. If this control is the kind with resistors instead of transformers, it may not be as bad if it does fail. The rotary volume controls have been very dependable.