Step One: Let’s distinguish between Series and Parallel Subwoofer Wiring

  • Series doubles the Ohm load reducing RMS power
  • Parallel cuts the Ohm load in half increasing RMS power

Ohm is the measure of resistance and there is never a “best” option except for what your amplifier thinks is best. Ensure your subwoofer and amplifier can handle the Ohm load you are wiring to.

Step Two: Make sure your Subwoofer and Amplifier Match

Specifically make sure the power rating and impedance of the amplifier and subwoofer match. Consider these two key characteristics:

  1. The impedance (ohms) of your subwoofer must match the amplifier’s impedance. If not then you are going to damage your products.
  2. How many Voice Coils?  Does the woofer have a SVC or a DVC? A voice coil is the copper wire wrapped around the former which accepts the amplifier’s current. A voice coil puts up the electrical resistance.
  • A SVC has one length of wire wrapped around the former.
  • A DVC has two lengths of wire wrapped around the former.
  • The biggest difference is that there is one wiring option for a Single Voice Coil. A Dual Voice Coil on the other hand, gives you multiple wiring options.

Step Three: How to Wire a single Subwoofer in either Series or Parallel

For this example I am using a DVC subwoofer. There are two basic wiring options; series or parallel.

  • A parallel circuit has two or more paths for electricity to flow giving you more RMS power and is as followed:

parallel subwoofer wiring

There are two sets of terminal on this sub, four in total. Two negative and two positive. Connect the negative terminal on your amp to the negative terminal on your woofer, and then with a new wire connect that same negative terminal on your woofer to other negative terminal on your woofer. Next connect the positive terminal of your amp to the positive terminal on your subwoofer, and then with a new wire connect that same positive terminal to the other  positive terminal on the subwoofer. You will need four wires total for parallel wiring.


  •  A series circuit has one path for electricity to flow and is as followed:

series subwoofer wiring

Again there are two sets of terminals on this sub, four in total with two negative and two positive. Connect the positive terminal on your amp to a positive terminal on your subwoofer. Then connect the negative terminal on your amp to a negative terminal on your subwoofer. Then connect the remaining positive and negative terminals on your subwoofer together with a separate wire. You will need three wires total for series wiring.