Elementary help

[LowRiderz]

Hello,
Sorry for the basic question, but.....I own a bowling alley and i am trying to update the sound system/PA. I have a 40 watt pa amplifier and run this to 4 separate ceiling speakers. The ceiling speakers are "4 way", meaning 4 speakers per unit at 40 watts each. The speakers utilize a transformer for each one (each 4way). What i am confused on is that the manual for the amplifier says i must connect the amp to the transformer's desired primary tap (10watt). Then it says to connect the speaker's positive terminal to the transformer's secondary tap that matches the speakers total impedance. These 4way systems are wired in series, with each speaker having an impedance of 8 ohms. The secondary tap on the transformer only has 4, 8, and 16 ohm. Isn't the total impedance of the 4way system 32 ohms? Do i have to re-wire the speakers to use this amp?

thanks,
chris

 

[XEagleDriver]

Sounds like it is a 70v PA speaker system

Hello,
Sorry for the basic question, but.....I own a bowling alley and i am trying to update the sound system/PA. I have a 40 watt pa amplifier and run this to 4 separate ceiling speakers. The ceiling speakers are "4 way", meaning 4 speakers per unit at 40 watts each. The speakers utilize a transformer for each one (each 4way). What i am confused on is that the manual for the amplifier says i must connect the amp to the transformer's desired primary tap (10watt). Then it says to connect the speaker's positive terminal to the transformer's secondary tap that matches the speakers total impedance. These 4way systems are wired in series, with each speaker having an impedance of 8 ohms. The secondary tap on the transformer only has 4, 8, and 16 ohm. Isn't the total impedance of the 4way system 32 ohms? Do i have to re-wire the speakers to use this amp?

thanks,
chris

Chris,
Welcome to the forum. What you describe sounds like a switchable 70v system which do use transformers for each speaker and generally have 2.5W, 5W, 10W, 15W & 20W "taps" (selectable) on each speaker. This is common in PA systems, especially commercial applications like yours.

I have TIC ASP-60 outdoor speakers which are 70v system compatible. They have the taps described above plus an 8 ohm setting (I use them as conventional 8 ohm speakers).

A couple of questions to better assist:

Were the speakers already in the Alley or did you just buy them?

What is the brand and model of the speakers?

 

[trnqk7]

It goes amp-transformer-speaker, correct? Then the amp hooks into whatever Watt "tap" you intend to use on the transformer. The speaker then connects to the matching impedance tap on the transformer, be it 4, 8, or 16 ohm. I would hazard they are 8ohm speakers. That is the tap you will want. All it does is limit the current (to limit the power or watts) used. You will have one transformer per speaker "unit" I'm assuming. I doubt the speakers are all in series...I'm guessing that there are two pairs in each unit where two speakers are in parallel but in series with the other pair? That would yield an equivalent of 8ohms... Two 8 ohm speakers in parallel -> (8*8)\(8+8)=4 ohms. That would describe the pairs then the two pairs in series would be 4 ohms each, so 4+4=8 ohms again. If you have a manufacturers name, it would be helpful, but I would hazard this is the appropriate tap-use the 10W at 8ohms.