When it comes to car audio, the type of voice coil you choose for your speakers and subwoofers have a big impact on the overall sound quality and power output of your system. In this blog, let’s take a closer look at single and dual 2-ohm and 4-ohm voice coils, as well as 8-ohm coils, and how they can be used to get the most out of your car audio amplifier.
A voice coil is a coil of wire that is wrapped around a cylinder called a former. When an alternating current is passed through the coil, it creates a magnetic field that moves the coil back and forth creating sound waves that can be heard through a speaker or subwoofer. Single voice coils have just one coil of wire, while dual voice coils have two coils of wire. Ohm rating refers to the resistance of the voice coil.
A speaker with a lower resistance voice coil will present a lower load to the amplifier, which means the amplifier will be able to deliver more power to the speaker; on the other hand, a speaker with a higher resistance voice coil will present a higher load to the amplifier, which means the amplifier will deliver less power to the speaker.
So, why would you choose a single or dual voice coil, and why would you choose a 2-ohm, 4-ohm, or 8-ohm rating? Each of these options offer great benefits in how they can be used to get the most out of your car audio amplifier.
Single 2-Ohm Voice Coil: A single 2-ohm voice coil is a good choice if you want to get maximum power out of your amplifier. Because it has a low resistance, it will present a lower load to the amplifier, which means the amplifier will be able to deliver more power to the speaker. This makes it a great choice for use with high-powered amplifiers.
Single 4-Ohm Voice Coil: A single 4-ohm voice coil is a good choice if you want to get a little less power out of your amplifier. It has a higher resistance than a 2-ohm coil, which means it will present a higher load to the amplifier and the amplifier will deliver less power to the speaker. However, it may be a good choice if you have a lower-powered amplifier, as it will be able to handle the power output more easily.
Single 8-Ohm Voice Coil: A single 8-ohm voice coil is a good choice if you want to get even less power out of your amplifier. Typically 8-ohm coils are used in pro audio and wired in parallel with other 8-ohm speakers to obtain the lowest resistance with the maximum amount of speakers to get the most power out of your amp. It has a higher resistance than a 4-ohm coil, which means it will present an even higher load to the amplifier and the amplifier will deliver even less power to the speaker. However, it is less likely to overheat and fail when subjected to high power levels for extended periods of time, making it a good choice for pro audio systems where the speakers may be subjected to high power levels. It is also easier to drive, meaning it can be powered by a wider range of amplifiers, including those with lower power outputs.
Dual 2-Ohm Voice Coil: A dual 2-ohm voice coil is similar to a single 2-ohm coil in that it will present a lower load to the amplifier, allowing the amplifier to deliver more power to the speaker. However, because it has two coils of wire, it can also be wired in different configurations to achieve different power outputs. For example, you could wire both coils in parallel to create a 1-ohm load, or you could wire them in series to create a 4-ohm load. This makes a dual 2-ohm voice coil a very versatile choice.
Dual 4-Ohm Voice Coil: A dual 4-ohm voice coil is similar to a dual 2-ohm coil in that it can be wired in different configurations to achieve different power outputs. However, because it has a higher resistance, it will present a higher load to the amplifier and the amplifier will deliver less power to the speaker.
Now that we've covered the different types of voice coils, let's talk about how they can be used with different types of amplifiers.
4-Channel Amplifiers: A 4-channel amplifier is a good choice if you want to power both your speakers and your subwoofers. With a 4-channel amplifier, you can use a single voice coil for each speaker, or you can use a dual voice coil and wire it in a specific configuration to achieve the desired power output.
Monoblock Amplifier: A monoblock amplifier is a single-channel amplifier that is specifically designed to power subwoofers. Because it is a single-channel amplifier, it can only power one subwoofer at a time. When choosing a voice coil for use with a monoblock amplifier, you'll want to choose a single or dual voice coil with a low resistance, such as a 2-ohm or 1-ohm coil. This will allow the amplifier to deliver maximum power to the subwoofer.
In conclusion, the type of voice coil you choose for your car audio system can have a big impact on the overall sound quality and power output. Single and dual voice coils, as well as 2-ohm, 4-ohm, and 8-ohm ratings, all have their own unique characteristics and can be used to achieve different power outputs depending on your amplifier and desired sound quality. By understanding the differences between these options, you can choose the right voice coil for your car audio setup and get the most out of your amplifier. Wiring multiple voice coils in parallel can also be a great way to achieve maximum power output, particularly if you have a monoblock amplifier that is rated for low-resistance loads. Just be sure to check the load ratings of your amplifier before attempting to wire multiple voice coils in parallel to ensure that it is capable of handling the load.
