Amp Wiring - Is it possible?

I have a weird question about wiring an amp. Basically I bought the Alpine PDX4.150 which can be setup to run 2 regular speakers (front left & front right) plus a bridge to run the subwoofer.

Since a stereo is truly only 2 channel, is it possible to run the left side front and back speakers off the same amplified output? Of course, I would run the other right side front and back speakers off the other amplified output and leave the final amp output for subwoofer.

I understand that my original 4 ohms speaker load will drop the output load to 2 ohms since I have two speakers in parallel per output.

Is it OK to wiring in such a way?
Will I sacrifice any sound quality?
Will the amp or speaker be affected?

I plan to use the Kenwood DNX-5120 - I believe it's stereo and not "dolby" type 5.1 output - I think.

See picture below... I used photoshop and added two more speaker picture to make it a 5 speaker configuration. Originally the manual shows a 3 speaker configuration.

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

I have a weird question about wiring an amp. Basically I bought the Alpine PDX4.150 which can be setup to run 2 regular speakers (front left & front right) plus a bridge to run the subwoofer.

Since a stereo is truly only 2 channel, is it possible to run the left side front and back speakers off the same amplified output? Of course, I would run the other right side front and back speakers off the other amplified output and leave the final amp output for subwoofer.

I understand that my original 4 ohms speaker load will drop the output load to 2 ohms since I have two speakers in parallel per output.

Is it OK to wiring in such a way?
Will I sacrifice any sound quality?
Will the amp or speaker be affected?

I plan to use the Kenwood DNX-5120 - I believe it's stereo and not "dolby" type 5.1 output - I think.

See picture below... I used photoshop and added two more speaker picture to make it a 5 speaker configuration. Originally the manual shows a 3 speaker configuration.

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Make sure your Speakers Can take a 2 ohm load. If they are not 2 ohm stable, your amp will fry the speakers. You can wire them in sequence, raiing the ohm level to 8 ohms....reduces just a little, but the amp will not run as hot. Also, make sure your Amp can support 2 ohm loads as well.

I have a weird question about wiring an amp. Basically I bought the Alpine PDX4.150 which can be setup to run 2 regular speakers (front left & front right) plus a bridge to run the subwoofer.

Since a stereo is truly only 2 channel, is it possible to run the left side front and back speakers off the same amplified output? Of course, I would run the other right side front and back speakers off the other amplified output and leave the final amp output for subwoofer.

I understand that my original 4 ohms speaker load will drop the output load to 2 ohms since I have two speakers in parallel per output.

Is it OK to wiring in such a way?
Will I sacrifice any sound quality?
Will the amp or speaker be affected?

I plan to use the Kenwood DNX-5120 - I believe it's stereo and not "dolby" type 5.1 output - I think.

See picture below... I used photoshop and added two more speaker picture to make it a 5 speaker configuration. Originally the manual shows a 3 speaker configuration.

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

If the speakers were 8 ohms each, running them in parallel would be just fine. Raiing = Raising....

The PDX is not stable into a 2 ohm load. Don't do it.

Sounds like there might be a bit of confusion here. If you are wanting to run 2 speakers off the front left channels @ 2ohm and 2 speakers off the front right channel @ 2ohm and leave the rear channels to run a subwoofer @ 4ohm, then yes you can do this. The PDX series will run in stereo at 2 or 4 ohm and put the same power to either.

beepbill23....you are a bit confused. The speakers do not have to "take" a 2ohm load. The speakers are what they are 2, 4, 8 ohm or whatever. How you wire them determines what load is put on the amp. It does not change the ohm of the speaker.

The PDX is not stable into a 2 ohm load. Don't do it.

I was wrong. The 4.150 will run into a 2 ohm load. I was thinking of the 1.1000 which will not run into a 1 ohm load.

OP, you can do what you suggest but you will lose fader capability. Your soundstage will be mud.

OP, you can do what you suggest but you will lose fader capability. Your soundstage will be mud.


Very, very true

I was wrong. The 4.150 will run into a 2 ohm load. I was thinking of the 1.1000 which will not run into a 1 ohm load.

OP, you can do what you suggest but you will lose fader capability. Your soundstage will be mud.

Shovelhd, you come through once again for me. I forgot completely about the fader. You are right that is really critical.

How about this option.... Run the back unit off the HU 22watts RMS per channel and run the front off the 150watts RMS from the PDX? I know I can always buy a PDX 5 to do this but that would mean more $ swapping my Pdx4.150 out.

I am just trying to keep this simple by running one amp and one 4 gauge power and probably doing the ED behind the seat subwoofer. Also, a little worried to have a 150 watt RMS amp per channnel on a rated speakers of 120 watts max / 60RMS.

I like that option a lot. That is what I am looking at doing with my PDX-5. 150 x 2 and 300 x 1. You could get away with running 150 to those speakers as long as you are careful with the volume knob.;)

I overpower my front speakers, but the gains are set correctly, and I have a 24dB/octave crossover which protects them from being overdriven at too low a frequency. The HU you have doesn't have that capability. Just set your gains correctly and you should be ok.

I like that option a lot. That is what I am looking at doing with my PDX-5. 150 x 2 and 300 x 1. You could get away with running 150 to those speakers as long as you are careful with the volume knob.;)

Dconder, I am a little confuse by your statement above.

Do you have a PDX-5? If so, I believe it does 75x4 and 300x1.

If you want to do 150x2 and 300x1 you need the PDX-4.150.

I have the PDX-4.150 but really feel that the PDX-5 may do me better because I don't need all that power. Wanna trade amp units?:D

I have the PDX-4.150 but really feel that the PDX-5 may do me better because I don't need all that power.

Famous last words. :D

I have PDX 4.100 I use for 4 door speakers ( Infinity Kappa`s 2 Ohm each) .

Works great, running cool, no distortion. I limited LF to 80Hz to the speakers in my Pioneer DEH-P700.

I love PDX amps, it`s so small I installed it behind instrument cluster.

Dconder, I am a little confuse by your statement above.

Do you have a PDX-5? If so, I believe it does 75x4 and 300x1.

If you want to do 150x2 and 300x1 you need the PDX-4.150.

I have the PDX-4.150 but really feel that the PDX-5 may do me better because I don't need all that power. Wanna trade amp units?:D


The PDX-5 will do 75 x 4 @ 2 or 4 ohms and 300 x 1 @ 2 or 4 ohms. It will also do 150 x 2 @ 4ohms and 300 x 1 @ 2 or 4 ohms.

Quick edit...

It does not appear the PDX-5 is bridgeable so I apologize for that misinformation. Looks like 75 x 4 and 300 x 1 is it.

Quick edit...

It does not appear the PDX-5 is bridgeable so I apologize for that misinformation. Looks like 75 x 4 and 300 x 1 is it.

So... are you looking for more wattage for the four channel?
Do you own the PDX-5?

I do own the PDX-5. Right now it is running my 4 stock speakers and running my Arc sub. I am not looking to switch just yet as I need to figure out what speakers I am going to use. Also, I would have to switch out my sub to use the 4.150 as I have a dual 4 ohm voice coil sub.