Hi. When I built my new house I had the builder run a set of speaker wires through my wall and out to my patio in my backyard.

My question is: can I use this single set of wires to run more than one set of speakers? (i.e., 4 speakers).

I would like to have a set of outdoor speakers by the pool as well as by the patio. We have a fairly large backyard and I'm concerned that I would have to "crank up" the volume to hear the sound from across the yard.

Can I just split the signal and run 2 set of wires to 2 separate areas?

Thanks!
John

Certainly but...

Your speakers have a nominal impedance (like resistance in DC circuit) and when you connect more than one speaker you must allow for the change in impedance that results.

If you connect two 8 ohm speakers in parallel, it is the electrical equivalent of a 4 ohm speaker. If you connect two 4 ohm speakers it equals a two ohm speaker.

If connected in series the impedances add. Two 8's = a 16 Ohm or two 4's = an 8 Ohm.

You can also combine three or more speakers in series and parallel combinations.

A safe and easy way to do this is to buy a speaker switch from Niles or other good maker that will compensate for the change in load when multiple speakers are switched in and out.

Amplifiers are designed to drive a certain range of loads, usually between 4 and 8, but some will not drive a 4 Ohm load and others will drive a 2 Ohm load. As the load drops the amplifier tries to deliver more current. If it can an amp that is rated as 100 Watts @ 8 ohms, will try to deliver 200 watts @ 4 ohms. Some can, some can't and some will over heat and shut down.

Here is a good explanation (http://www.bcae1.com/srsparll.htm)

So it sounds like if I run the speaker wire directly to a switch, and then run each set of speakers from the switch, everything will be cool.

Thanks so much for the help!

So it sounds like if I run the speaker wire directly to a switch, and then run each set of speakers from the switch, everything will be cool.

Thanks so much for the help!

Not necessarily Johnny ;)

While Trekguy left you a good explanation and a good link to explain, the fact is, like all driven systems a speaker(s) is not the deciding factor here. Its your amplifier. A good explanation in simple language is http://www.ticcorp.com/audio_instal_basics.htm .

Basically it comes down to the nominal impedance of your amplifier source. While most people don’t know, and simply hook up the speakers supplied and matched to their new 5.2, 7.1 system etc. these systems are not really made with much expansion in mind. In fact, most of these systems are at their “optimistic” peak running the equipment they are supplied with.

However, if you want to run a couple of outdoor speakers using the speaker wire set you had pre-installed outside a lot of factors come into it; wire gauge, length of run, impedance of amplifier, impedance of speakers etc. You do really want to match the impedance of the amplifier to the effective impedance of the speakers for example.

An “impedance matching” switch could help, but make sure it is truly impedance matching as many made are not.

To keep it as simple as possible on the plus side of caution; I would first try to hook up your desired 4 speakers in series for the left and right wire you have. Series because it unlikely to strain or hurt the amp in any way presenting it a larger impedance than 8 ohms load. Most amplifiers produced do have an impedance matching capability of their own. See if your happy with that first.

GL