JBL Subwoofer Questions

I've used the search feature and couldn't find an answer.

I scored a practically new JBL sub (and plastics) without the amp. I have the base entune radio, with 4 speakers and tweeters. I'd like to add an 100w amp of my own and use either a LOC or high level inputs from the rear speakers, and add the sub. I know enough about electrical to wire the amp properly, but what I don't know is what wires to hook up on the amp to the sub. The JBL wiring diagram has signal out of the amp from left and right rear to the sub. I know the sub is a dual voice coil.

So, my question is this: Do I use a 2 channel amp and connect it to the sub in a similar fashion , i.e.: both channels, or bridge it?

Thanks in advance.

 

Well I would definitely bridge it. Not wire the voice coils as seperate channels. The question becomes whether or not you want to wire them in series or parallel.

Need to know the ohms rating of each voice coil

 

The coils are 2ohms each from what I've read. So in theory I bridge the amp and connect one positive and negative terminal on the sub to make them fire together?

It may make more sense to get another single coil sub in the long run.

 

Well that all depends on the amp and how you wire the coils.

Figure 1 shows the coils wired in parallel, resulting in a 1ohm load. Figure 2 shows the 2 coils wired in SERIES, which results in a 4ohm load. Every amp will be able to handle a 4ohm load. Less will be able to handle a 1ohm load.

Remember when you decrease resistance (ohms) you increase power (wattage). Given that it's a stock speaker I wouldnt throw more than 100-150watt RMS at it. A small 2ch amp, bridged, while wiring the 2 voice coils in SERIES is probably your best bet. Be sure to check the RMS rating on the amp at 4ohms if you wire them in series.

A dual voice coil sub generally sounds better than a single voice coil sub, and they aren't any more difficult to hook up...

 

Thanks so much. That helps me out tremendously.

 

No problem - keep us posted how you make out

 

Also worth mentioning - For an easier install (and to save you some $$$) an amp with high-level inputs will work absolutely fine for just a subwoofer. No need for an LOC. That's how I have mine set up. The rear speaker wires are really easy to tap in to. They are both behind the interior trim panels that seperate the front/back seats near the bottom of the seatbelts (C-pillar?)

If my memory serves correctly red/white driver's side....yellow/black on the pass side.

 

I'd definitely prefer the high level inputs. Does your amp have a frequency pass to weed out the highs?

 

Yep, low pass filter.

 

Picked up a brand new

$80 Boss R1100m Monoblock Car Amplifier - 1100 High Output, 2-8 Ohm Stable, Low/High Level Inputs, Low Pass Crossover, MOSFET Power Supply

Boss R1100m for a steal off let go. It's mono block and 4ohm stable. I'll run it with the gain turned all the way down to start.

 

Hey how did this ended up sounding? Seems like an awesome plug and play setup!

 

I hooked up the factory sub to an aftermarket amp in this thread. https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/2015-full-system-jbl-tear-out.567718/

I put both voice coils in series and ran them as 4 ohms off my Vxi.

 

Sounds great. Definitely a good add for el cheapo. The whole set up was $100!