Help with math and science of tri-wiring?

All to the same taps.

Actually, this is a very interesting question! I have never thought of doing that. KR4, is there a reason why all the wires should be connected to the same tap? I mean, on my amp ... the 4, 8, and 16 Ohm taps are just slightly fewer coils on the output transformer ...

Perhaps my question was inelegantly phrased. I am hoping that someone knowledgeable about electrical engineering can tell me rules of thumb or actual scientific facts to help me better understand the results I achieve (and maybe achieve better results) connecting my loudspeakers to my amps. Specifically, I am optimizing performance by best matching current delivered to load impedance at different frequencies. Amfibius, it is interesting...although I don't think Kr4's our go-to guy on the subject.

Jsterrit, perhaps Jon Risch's website can help you? See here:

http://www.geocities.com/jonrisch/biwiring.htm

Here is another good article on the subject. I don't necessarily agree with everything he says, but he's right on at least two counts - cable length and gauge matter. The article also contains a table of recommended cable gauge and length for the impedance load of the speaker:

http://www.roger-russell.com/wire/wire.htm

Hope this helps.

Keith

I would think that they all need to be connected to the same tap. This is because:
each "ohm" tap is to allow for the same amount of power to match the paticular speaker. For example the 8 ohm tap will supply more voltage but less current than the 4 ohm tap. Gain of an amp = output Volts / input Volts. If you connected the woofer to a different tap then the midrange, it would see a different signal gain and the sound level would be off by that amount.