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MULTIPLE SPEAKER HOOKUP
In a multiple speaker hookup, it is
necessary to consider impedance. This is the electrical
resistance of the voice coils of the speakers. The lower
the impedance, the more electrical energy is applied to
the speakers. This is why specifications on power
amplifiers will show a given power rating into an 8-ohm
load, and a considerably higher power input into a 4-ohm
load.
If a loudspeaker were 100% efficient, all of the
electrical energy delivered to it by the amplifier would
be converted into sound energy. Unfortunately, speakers
are not 100% efficient; in fact even the highest quality
speakers in the best designed enclosures are not more
than 25% efficient. The electrical energy which is not
converted into sound by a speaker is converted onto
another form of energy--heat. This heat must be
dissipated at two points: the voice coil of the speaker,
and at the amplifier. Excessive heat at either point can
cause damage to the sound system.
The minimum impedance load for a Hilton amplifier is 4-ohms per channel, for best operating results. Any speaker hookup
that is 4-ohms, or higher, will not cause a problem with
your sound system but you will have a
loss of power converted to sound as the total impedance
increases.
The hookup diagrams, in section 9 - "Diagrams",
show correct use of the series Y connectors for hookup of
2, 4, 6, and 8 speakers, to obtain equal volume level
from each speaker and maintain proper net impedance. If
it should be necessary to connect 5 or 7 speakers, a
slave amplifier should be used. It is impossible to get
equal volume from these combinations with a single
amplifier, unless you connect all of them in series; this
hookup is not recommended.
If you must use a speaker hookup not shown in these
diagrams, or if you plan multiple hookup of speakers not
manufactured by Hilton, the following points must be
considered:
1. You must use a hookup which will produce a net
impedance load of 4-ohms or higher to one amplifier
channel.
2. The net impedance to each leg of a series Y connector
should be the same, or the speakers driven by one leg
will receive more energy and therefore produce more
volume than those driven by the other leg.
3. Different makes and types of speakers have different
degrees of efficiency and will produce different sound
volumes when driven at the same amplifier output level.
Mixing different types of speakers is not recommended,
but if you must do so, use the more efficient speakers
nearest the center to cover the main portion of the
floor, and the less efficient ones at the ends to cover
the two front corners of the floor.
HOW TO DETERMINE
NET IMPEDANCE
To determine the net impedance of a given combination of
speakers, it is necessary to understand and apply the
following:
IMPEDANCE:
The resistance produced by the voice coil of a
speaker, expressed in ohms. As an example Hilton
"Workshopper" speakers are 8-ohms, the PS-10 and LB-1 are 4-ohms; other makes have varying impedance's, usually
from 4 to 16 ohms.
PARALLEL CONNECTION:
A hookup in which the output of the amplifier is divided
among speakers, with part of the output going to each
speaker. As an example the 2 speaker jacks on each
channel of a Hilton system are connected in parallel. Connecting
speakers in parallel decreases the net impedance.
SERIES CONNECTION:
A hookup in which all of the amplifier output passes
through each speaker in turn, instead of being divided up
among them. If you plug a series Y connector into the
amplifier and connect one speaker to each leg, you have
the speakers connected in series. Connecting speakers in series
increases the net impedance.
SERIES-PARALLEL CONNECTION:
If you have two groups of speakers which are connected in
parallel within the group, and connect one group to each
leg of a series Y connector, you have a series-parallel
connection. Series-parallel hook ups are used to get the correct, or optimal,
speaker impedance for a given multi-speaker hook up.
NET IMPEDANCE
-- The combined impedance of all speakers in a hookup:
IN PARALLEL -- the impedance of 1 speaker, divided by the
number of speakers in the parallel hookup. This assumes
that each of the speakers in the hookup have the same
impedance.
IN SERIES -- the impedance of 1 speaker, multiplied by
the number of speakers in the series hookup. This assumes
that each of the speakers in the hookup have the same
impedance.
IN SERIES-PARALLEL -- the net impedance of each parallel
group, multiplied by the number of parallel groups
connected in series. This assumes that each group in the
hookup is the same impedance.
CONNECTING SPEAKERS OTHER
THAN HILTON SPEAKERS
Any one speaker with the impedance of
4-ohms or higher can be connected directly to a Hilton
amplifier.
Before connecting two speakers to the same channel, first
find out their impedance, if possible. If they are 8-ohms
or higher, connect them in parallel. Two 4-ohm speakers
must be connected in series. For other combinations,
follow the instructions given above to obtain a net
impedance of 4-ohms or higher.
CHECK THE POWER RATING OF THE SPEAKER AND BE CAREFUL NOT
TO EXCEED IT. Overdriving of a speaker with a low power
rating can result in any of the following: 1. Distortion
of the program. 2. Voice coil may become jammed at one
end of its excursion, making the speaker inoperative. 3.
A short circuit may occur in the voice coil, ruining the
speaker and possibly causing damage to your sound system.
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TO RETURN TO THE
"SOUND" INFORMATION T. O. C. CLICK HERE
 Contact
Information
For a complete information package contact Dick
Henschel at:
HILTON AUDIO
PRODUCTS, INC.
1033-E Shary Circle, Concord, California 94518
Phone: 925-682-8390 - Fax: 925-682-8497 - E-mail: hiltonaud@aol.com
Copyright
© 2007 - Hilton Audio Products, Inc.
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