Is there a reason (other than the lack of left/right balance control) why you wouldn't want to bridge an amp in stereo and and then parallel it to the left/right front stage components if the amp is capable of driving the load with out any distortion issues?

For example running an HCCA 225 bridged in stereo and then parallel to left/right comps.

Just wondering.

Thanks!!!

 

yes, there is a reason.

average stereo amp is rated for 4 ohms, more power at 2 ohms, or bridged to 4 ohm only.

So, if you bridge and parallel , like you say, you have a 2 ohm load which the average stereo amp won't do.

If you want louder, get a bigger amp. OR, get 2 ohm speakers. Don't try to fake it.

 

However... is there anthing wrong with it if you're running a cheater amp that can run 1 ohm or 0.5 ohm bridged?

Thanks man!!!

 

If your running your amp at 1 ohm or less and it cant be stable at that resistence level you will fry your amp in no time

 

Well if you bridge the amp and then parallel you components, your components will be playing a mono signal.

The HCCA 225 is 0.5 ohm stable stereo, 1 ohm stable bridged mono.

 

The only reason would be lack of stereo in the vehicle stage.

 

Hey man....I like your new car mono system......"ere... cough, cough....got any more?
If you have one of those amps, then try it and let us know how it sounds.

 

The things you need to properly accomplish what you're doing are:

-Two identical 2 channel amps, or a single 4 channel amp that has the same rated power outputs per channel (ie., 75x4; not 35x2 + 75x2).

-You will need to separate L and R receiver signals and run one to each amp, or in the case of a 4 channel, each to its designated channel input (Chls 1/2 become L and 3/4 become R; run in 4 channel mode).

Having it set up this way, you can bridge each amp (2 chl) or each set of outputs (in the case of a 4 chl) and run left and right from there to each component side.

You cannot properly power front end components this way by just bridging a single 2 channel amp.

The only (slight) drawback to doing this is that you will need to fine tune the gains via use of an RTA if you want to make sure levels are matched for each side. I had a 3 way active setup using two six channel amps, one amp bridged to each side. That meant six different gain settings. I'm sure you'll live with just two.

Now get out there and find yourself another 225!

 

Not everyone runs pyramid...

 

Thanks guys. We eventually got there after we got over the fact that I'm not running sparkomatic amps LOL

I Think I'll go with the 2 amps, one left and one right and see how it goes.