Hi Mitch,
In the paralleled configuration, power capability into 8 ohms will be MUCH less than in the bridged configuration. It will probably increase significantly into 2 ohms, and not change dramatically into 4 ohms. And based on JA's comments about distortion, sonics with a 2 to 4 ohm load will most likely be better in the paralleled configuration.
Elizabeth's comment is spot on, with the slight correction that the reference to "pressure (watts)" should say "pressure (volts)."
NGJockey's comment is correct, except for what I suspect is his inadvertent mention of 4x voltage, which should be 2x voltage as Kijanki and Bob pointed out. Bridging potentially increases voltage swing capability by 2x, and power by 4x, but current limitations, thermal considerations, and other factors usually limit those increases to significantly smaller factors into 8 ohms, and to much smaller factors for low impedance loads.
Also, I suspect that the 1 to 2 ohm resistor he mentioned is probably just applicable to some paralleled designs but not to many others. Where a resistor of that large a value is used there would be a major impact on damping factor and output impedance, and therefore on frequency response flatness if speaker impedance varies significantly with frequency. I would suggest that anyone considering purchase of a monostrapped (paralleled) amp ascertain its damping factor before finalizing their decision, and consider its appropriateness for the particular speaker that is being used.
Best regards,
-- Al
In the paralleled configuration, power capability into 8 ohms will be MUCH less than in the bridged configuration. It will probably increase significantly into 2 ohms, and not change dramatically into 4 ohms. And based on JA's comments about distortion, sonics with a 2 to 4 ohm load will most likely be better in the paralleled configuration.
Elizabeth's comment is spot on, with the slight correction that the reference to "pressure (watts)" should say "pressure (volts)."
NGJockey's comment is correct, except for what I suspect is his inadvertent mention of 4x voltage, which should be 2x voltage as Kijanki and Bob pointed out. Bridging potentially increases voltage swing capability by 2x, and power by 4x, but current limitations, thermal considerations, and other factors usually limit those increases to significantly smaller factors into 8 ohms, and to much smaller factors for low impedance loads.
Also, I suspect that the 1 to 2 ohm resistor he mentioned is probably just applicable to some paralleled designs but not to many others. Where a resistor of that large a value is used there would be a major impact on damping factor and output impedance, and therefore on frequency response flatness if speaker impedance varies significantly with frequency. I would suggest that anyone considering purchase of a monostrapped (paralleled) amp ascertain its damping factor before finalizing their decision, and consider its appropriateness for the particular speaker that is being used.
Best regards,
-- Al