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Topic: Connecting two power amps to a mixer/ single audio input (Read 18905 times) previous topic - next topic
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Connecting two power amps to a mixer/ single audio input

Hi All,


My first post on your wonderful forum so thank you in advance for taking the time to click on this thread.

I'd like to ask what is the best way to wire the items listed below in order to have the same music play through all 6 speakers using only one input source. Currently the plan is to use one of the amps for the two Yamaha speakers and the other identical amp to power the four JBL speakers (two speakers per channel). I'd also like to ask what is the best way to wire the 4 JBL speakers to one amp? The equipment is for use in a bar.

Spec:

Crown XLi 1500 amplifier x 2 (330W per channel  @ 8 ohms)
JBL Control X speakers x 4 (around 100W per speaker)
Yamaha BR10 speakers x 2 (8 ohms, 250W per speaker, 10inch)
Yamaha MG10XU mixer (10 channel)


Cheers,


Jerry

Re: Connecting two power amps to a mixer/ single audio input

Reply #1 –
It's OK to connect two (or more) amps* to one line output, so you just need a pair of Y-Adapters (splitters).     Or, your mixer may have more than one set of line-outs (I didn't check the spec).

Do you have a link to the JBL speaker specs?  When I searched for JBL Control X, I found wireless speakers with a built-in amp.

The Crown amp looks like it's rated for 4-Ohm's minimum.   That means you can connect two 8-Ohm speakers, but if the speakers are 4-Ohms you can only connect one pair per amp.





* As a general rule, it's OK to connect multiple inputs together.   But, it's NEVER OK to connect multiple outputs...  If you have more than one audio source, that's what your mixer is for.

Re: Connecting two power amps to a mixer/ single audio input

Reply #2 –
Quote from: DVDdoug on
it's NEVER OK to connect multiple outputs
I have two output devices, each has a 10k output impedance.  Is is still not OK to connect them together in order to feed a 500k input impedance?

Re: Connecting two power amps to a mixer/ single audio input

Reply #3 –
Quote
I have two output devices, each has a 10k output impedance.  Is is still not OK to connect them together in order to feed a 500k input impedance?
Usually not.   "10K output impedance" usually means it's designed to drive a 10K load.    It usually doesn't mean that's the source impedance.   Unless you understand the circuit, or the manufacturer says its OK, or maybe you built it yourself, you should NOT do it!   

If you've got a circuit with 10K series resistors at the outputs, yes, it's OK to connect them.     That's a fairly common way to make a passive mixer. 

In digital electronics, you can have open-collector or tri-state outputs that are designed to be connected together.

Re: Connecting two power amps to a mixer/ single audio input

Reply #5 –
Quote from: greynol on
What do you think the output impedance of a device that is spec'ed to drive a 10k load but not <10k load might be?
Anything from zero up to a few kΩ.

Re: Connecting two power amps to a mixer/ single audio input

Reply #6 –
See this RaneNote:

Why Not Wye?
Dennis Bohn, Rane Corporation
RaneNote 109 written 1991; last revised 4/04

Introduction
Wye-connectors (or "Y"-connectors, if you prefer) should never have been created.
Anything that can be hooked-up wrong, will be. You-know-who said that, and she was right. A wye-connector used to split a signal into two lines is being used properly; a wye-connector used to mix two signals into one is being abused and may even damage the equipment involved.
Here is the rule: Outputs are low impedance and must only be connected to high impedance inputs -- never, never tie two outputs directly together -- never. If you do, then each output tries to drive the very low impedance of the other, forcing both outputs into current-limit and possible damage. As a minimum, severe signal loss results.

http://www.rane.com/note109.html
Kevin Graf :: aka Speedskater

Re: Connecting two power amps to a mixer/ single audio input

Reply #7 –
Quote from: DVDdoug on
It's OK to connect two (or more) amps* to one line output, so you just need a pair of Y-Adapters (splitters).     Or, your mixer may have more than one set of line-outs (I didn't check the spec).

Do you have a link to the JBL speaker specs?  When I searched for JBL Control X, I found wireless speakers with a built-in amp.

The Crown amp looks like it's rated for 4-Ohm's minimum.   That means you can connect two 8-Ohm speakers, but if the speakers are 4-Ohms you can only connect one pair per amp.


Thanks that makes sense. As I have a mixer I guess I don't need the Y connector. I just checked and the mixer has 2 stereo outputs. One L+R for XLR and one L+R for a 1/4 jack. So one amp to each or would it better to link the amps parallel and flick the switch on the back of both amps to parallel?

The Control X speaker comes in a active wireless type and passive wired. I have the latter. They are rated at 8 ohms. What's the best way to wire the speakers please.


Thanks




* As a general rule, it's OK to connect multiple inputs together.   But, it's NEVER OK to connect multiple outputs...  If you have more than one audio source, that's what your mixer is for.
 

Re: Connecting two power amps to a mixer/ single audio input

Reply #8 –
It looks like I included my reply in the quote above. My reply was...


'Thanks that makes sense. As I have a mixer I guess I don't need the Y connector. I just checked and the mixer has 2 stereo outputs. One L+R for XLR and one L+R for a 1/4 jack. So one amp to each or would it better to link the amps parallel and flick the switch on the back of both amps to parallel?

The Control X speaker comes in a active wireless type and passive wired. I have the latter. They are rated at 8 ohms. What's the best way to wire the speakers please.


Thanks'