Speaker Impedance — Series and Parallel

Series:

Z_total = Z₁ + Z₂ + Z₃ + ...

Parallel (two speakers):

Z_total = (Z₁ × Z₂) / (Z₁ + Z₂)

Parallel (equal impedances, N speakers):

Z_total = Z / N

Mixed series-parallel:

Solve in stages. Combine series groups first, then combine those results in parallel.

Worked example — two DVC 4Ω subwoofers, target 2Ω:

Each subwoofer has two 4Ω coils. Wire each sub's coils in parallel first:

Z_coils_parallel = 4 / 2 = 2Ω per sub

Then wire both subs in parallel:

Z_total = 2 / 2 = 1Ω

Too low. Try coils in series per sub:

Z_coils_series = 4 + 4 = 8Ω per sub

Both subs in parallel:

Z_total = 8 / 2 = 4Ω

For 2Ω: Wire each sub's coils in parallel (2Ω each), then wire the two subs in series:

Z_total = 2 + 2 = 4Ω — same

For actual 2Ω from two DVC 4Ω subs: Each coil in series = 8Ω. Both subs parallel:

Z_total = 8 × 8 / (8 + 8) = 4Ω — still 4

Final approach — all four coils wired: two series pairs, paralleled:

Series pair A: 4 + 4 = 8Ω
Series pair B: 4 + 4 = 8Ω
Parallel: 8 × 8 / 16 = 4Ω — still 4

To get 2Ω from two DVC 4Ω subs, wire coils in parallel first (2Ω each), then parallel both subs: 1Ω — or use the coils in series (8Ω each), parallel = 4Ω.

There is no configuration that gives 2Ω from two DVC 4Ω subs. This is a common point of confusion — the available impedances are 1Ω and 4Ω only.