How to Wire 1 Ohm Sub? (Everything Explained)

If you’re someone who loves blasting your favorite tunes, the thought of having a 1 Ohm subwoofer system in your car may make you feel a little overwhelmed – after all, these systems are rare! But, that doesn’t mean you can’t make it work.

wiring a 1 Ohm subwoofer requires understanding the impedance of your amplifier, the number of voice coils, and the number of subs you have. for example, if you have two 1 ohm dual voice coil subwoofers, you can wire them in series to reach 4 Ohm, then connect them to your 4 Ohm amp. alternatively, if you have one 1 Ohm subwoofer with dual voice coils, you can wire the coils in series to achieve a 2 Ohm load that can be used with a 2 Ohm amp.

In this blog post, we’ll discuss what a 1 Ohm subwoofer is, what the best amplifier for this system is, and ways to wire the 1 Ohm subwoofer. We’ll also explore the pros and cons of this kind of setup so that you are fully prepared to choose what’s best for your car’s audio system.

What is a 1 ohm Sub?

A 1 ohm subwoofer is a type of subwoofer capable of operating at a resistance of 1 ohm. A 1 ohm subwoofer is specifically designed to reproduce low-frequency sound. It can produce bass notes at a much lower impedance than regular speakers.

Ohm subwoofers are perfect for use in a car and home audio and smaller venues such as coffee shops. Given the same amplifier, a 1 Ohm subwoofer will get more power output compared to higher impedance subwoofers. This makes them an excellent choice for those looking to maximize the amount of sound they can get out of their system.

What Is the Best Amplifier For A 1 Ohm Subwoofer?

A 1 Ohm subwoofer can be powered by various amplifiers with different Ohms. These could include 2 Ohm, 4 Ohm amplifiers, or a 1 Ohm stable amplifier running 2 Ohm. But what is the best amp for a 1 Ohm subwoofer?

The best amplifier for a 1 ohm subwoofer is a 1 ohm stable amplifier running at 2 ohms. This is the ideal choice because it can provide the most power while protecting the subwoofer from damage. Additionally, running the amplifier at 2 ohms increases its efficiency, meaning it will draw less current from the power source, resulting in less heat and less strain on the amplifier.

How to connect a 1 Ohm subwoofer to each type of amplifier to get the best music experience with efficiency will be discussed later in the blog post.

Ways To Wire A 1 Ohm Sub

How to wire a 1 Ohm subwoofer to an amplifier depends on the subwoofer type, the number of 1 Ohm subs you have, and the amplifier’s Ohms.

For instance, the subwoofer could be Dual Voice Coil (DVC) or a Single Voice Coil (SVC), and each will require a different wiring approach. Here are the main ways to wire 1 Ohm sub(s) considering these factors:

1. Dual Voice Coil 1 Ohm Subwoofer

This will require a 2 Ohm amplifier or a 2 Ohm amplifier that is 1 Ohm stable. The configuration will be series wiring, and the resulting impedance will be 2 Ohms, meeting the 2 Ohm amplifier requirement. The wiring process will be as follows:

• Connect the positive terminal of the first voice coil to the positive output terminal of the amplifier.
• Connect the negative terminal of the second voice coil to the negative output terminal of the amplifier.
• Connect the positive terminal of the second voice coil to the negative terminal of the first voice coil.
• Once all the connections are made, the dual voice coil 1 Ohm subwoofer is now wired to the 2 Ohm amplifier in a series configuration.

2. Dual Voice Coil Two 1 Ohm Subwoofers

If you have a 4 Ohm amplifier, this is the right way to wire it to a 1 Ohm subwoofer you require two 1 Ohm subwoofers connected in a series configuration, so the resulting impedance will be 4 Ohm. Here is the method for wiring the two 1 Ohm subs:

• Connect the negative terminal of the first voice coil of the first subwoofer to the positive terminal of the first voice coil terminal of the second subwoofer.
• Connect the positive terminal of the second voice coil of the first subwoofer to the negative terminal of the second voice coil of the second subwoofer.
• Connect the negative terminal of the first voice coil of the second subwoofer to the positive terminal of the second voice coil of the second subwoofer.
• Connect the positive terminal of the first voice coil of the first subwoofer to the output positive terminal of the amplifier.
• Lastly, connect the negative terminal of the second voice coil of the first subwoofer to the output negative terminal of the subwoofer.

3. Single Voice Coil 1 Ohm Subwoofer

• Determine the total impedance of the subwoofer. Single Voice Coil 1 Ohm subwoofers have a total impedance of 1 Ohm.
• Get your amplifier. A 1 Ohm stable amp running at 2 Ohms is great for a load impedance of 1 Ohm.
• Connect the subwoofer to the amplifier. Connect the subwoofer’s positive terminal to the amplifier’s positive terminal and the subwoofer’s negative terminal to the amplifier’s negative terminal.
• Set the impedance switch on the amplifier. Depending on the amplifier, a switch may allow you to set the impedance of the load. Set the switch to 1 Ohm.
• Set the gain on the amplifier. Adjust the gain on the amplifier to the desired level.

Pros And Cons of A 1 Ohm Subwoofer

Using a 1 Ohm subwoofer has its advantages and disadvantages. Here is a table comparing the two:

Pros:

• 1 Ohm subwoofers cost less than higher Ohm subwoofers, thus providing more output per cost.
• Fewer Ohms means there is little resistance and thus means they can deliver a lot of power with minimal effort.
• 1 Ohm subwoofers are capable of producing impressive bass frequencies.

Cons:

• 1 Ohm subwoofers tend to generate more heat than other subwoofers since they get more power from the amp, making them more susceptible to overheating and damaging the drivers.
• With a 1 Ohm subwoofer, there is an increased likelihood of damaging the amplifier as the resistance is lower, and the amplifier is more likely to be overworked, leading to potential damage.

FAQs

Q: Can I Use a Regular Speaker Wire For A 1 Ohm Subwoofer?

It is possible to use regular speaker wire for a 1 Ohm subwoofer, though it is not the ideal solution. Speaker wire is generally unshielded, which means it is not designed to carry an amplified signal. This can lead to issues with sound quality and signal strength.

Q: Can You Run A 1 Ohm Dvc Sub in Parallel?

Yes, you can run a 1 Ohm DVC sub in parallel. This is because when you run a DVC sub in parallel, the impedance of the two subwoofers is cut in half resulting in a total impedance of 0.5.

Ensure that your amplifier can handle 0.5 Ohm as there are amps built to be 0.5 Ohms stable. Though, this is not recommended because they burn out quicker.

Q: Which Is Better, A 1-Ohm Or 2-Ohm, Or 4-Ohm Subwoofer?

4 Ohm subwoofers are better. 4 Ohm subwoofers tend to have a clearer sound quality and low-end response than lower Ohm subwoofers.

4 Ohm subwoofers also have a higher electrical resistance, which means they use less energy and will last longer than subwoofers with lower resistance.

Q: What Wiring Do You Need for A 1 Ohm Subwoofer?

The wire gauge requirements will depend on the power of your amplifiers and the length of the wire runs. For example, if you have a 1000-watt amplifier running the wire 10 feet, you will need 14 gauge wires.

For more information on wire gauge size requirements, check the American Wire Gauge (AWG) table.

Conclusion

Wiring a 1 Ohm sub is a great way to increase the bass output of any sound system. Although wiring a 1 Ohm sub requires a 1 Ohm stable amp, running at 2 Ohms, the extra power can provide an unparalleled listening experience.

Ultimately, the number of voice coils on your sub, the number of 1 Ohm subwoofers you have, and the impedance of your amp will determine which wiring method is best for you.

If you are looking to amplify your bass frequencies, a 1 Ohm subwoofer may be the best way to do so. Just make sure that you have the proper wiring and amp necessary to ensure your safety and preserve the integrity of your system.