Speaker Wiring

[Joe_Beam]

Hello, I'm a stereo novice and coming here for help. I have two sets of speakers and I want to be able to balance the volume between pairs (make one pair louder). I know it is possible to wire them to accomplish this (one speaker to A right and one to B right, etc.) but wondering if this will be safe for equipment and also if it will impact performance. Thanks so much!

 

[toxcrusadr]

Welcome to AK.

If your receiver or amp has A and B outputs usually those are not separately volume controlled. You can get an outboard volume control and turn the louder pair down a bit. Aside from that you would need separate amplifiers. What do you have for a receiver/amp?

 

[swechsler]

This is possible with an L-pad, which is a volume control that you can hook in between one set of speakers and the receiver. But yes, let us know the model numbers of your receiver and your speakers. You may need a dedicated speaker switcher to prevent the impedance from going too low and possibly damaging the amplifier.

 

[Joe_Beam]

Thanks for the responses! Yeah that's why I was concerned. I will definitely get a speaker switcher then. I'm using an old HK receiver with Infinity RS 5000s (floor) and KLH studio monitors (wall).

 

[Ramseybella]

If you are running them through a two channel amp A&B speakers will run at the same volume.
Taking it to a whole other level you could install this>>>> https://www.ebay.com/p/L-pad-Speake...D-2-Plate-Hardware/681140016?iid=121481562030
Or you could simply use this>> https://www.amazon.com/Niles-SSVC-2-Speaker-Selector/dp/B00022LD7A#customerReviews

 

[swechsler]

The RS5000s are rated at 6Ω, so putting those in parallel with another pair of speakers is not recommended. If you are going to get a switcher, make sure it's one that offers impedance compensation (not all do). Note that most switchers don't offer separate volume controls, that would be a separate purchase.

Or, depending on what amp you have, if it has preamp outputs, then it might be cheaper to pick up a used second amplifier for one pair of speakers.

 

[Joe_Beam]

L-pad seems like the best and most cost effective way to go. Thanks everyone!

 

[Joe_Beam]

Thanks, Swechsler. Very helpful.

 

[the skipper]

Keep in mind that an L pad can lower the volume of the louder of the two speakers but cannot raise it on the lower of the two.

 

[swechsler]

Check out the Monoprice 8231, that looks like exactly what you need (it actually has two inputs, but you can ignore one).

 

[Joe_Beam]

Thanks Skipper!

Swechsler, not sure if that has built-in impedance protection. Parts Express hooked me up with this one which is way more expensive.

https://www.parts-express.com/audte...selector-switch-with-volume-controls--300-610

 

[Joe_Beam]

Swechsler, Just read this in the description for your recommendation: "speaker selector provides impedance matching". That should work then, right?

 

[swechsler]

Swechsler, Just read this in the description for your recommendation: "speaker selector provides impedance matching". That should work then, right?

Yes, I noted that before I posted the recommendation.

BTW, Monoprice carries that same speaker selector as Parts Express, but at less than half the price. But since you only had two pairs of speakers, I figured the first one I recommended would do the job just fine.

ETA: OK, I guess they're not identical, but it would surprise me if the circuitry inside was significantly different.

 

[Joe_Beam]

Awesome that's what I'll do then. Thank you!!