1-Ohm vs 2-Ohm Subwoofers [EXPLAINED]

Which One Sounds Better?

Although it’ll be hard to tell the difference for most listeners, 2-ohm car subwoofers sound better than 1-ohm as there’s more resistance and therefore, a cleaner output.

Ohm is basically the measurement of the amount of resistance to the flow of electricity. The speaker typically offers this resistance and it impacts the quality of output sound.

If you look at the sub-specifications, you will notice that as the wattage increases, the ohms decrease. So, with an increase in the power source, the resistance comes down which means you must balance the resistance and the impedance to keep the circuits safe.

1 ohm means there is hardly any resistance. This also means the subwoofer will be louder. But it means more power consumption and lower quality of sound.

You must also keep in mind that good output depends on the amount of power the sub gets. The RMS rating of the amplifier must match that of the peak rating of the subs.

Otherwise, the amp gives out distorted sound and also damages the circuitry of the sub. Overpowering the sub just a little, on the other hand, is not a bad idea because subs are capable of handling a little extra beyond the peak rating.

What Hits Harder?

1-ohm subwoofers offer less resistance as compared to a 2-ohm subwoofer and therefore hit harder.

If you reduce the impedance, you can increase the power. Otherwise, the output is sloppy and that is called the damping factor. With an increase in power, you will notice that the cone of the subwoofer moves back and forth quite quickly. And if the impedance drops, this momentum is difficult to control.

If you want moderate-level output in a small car, you can get a sub with an RMS rating under 250 watts. You can match it with an appropriate amp that can give as much power to the sub as it can handle.

How Do You Wire a 2-Ohm Sub to 1-Ohm?

About wiring the subs. You can do so through series wiring or parallel wiring. Parallel wiring is when you match the positive terminals with positive and negative with negative.

Series wiring is when you connect the positives to negatives to make the circuit. Now, these are two ways of routing your speaker wires to the subwoofers. The idea is to manage overall impedance which in this case should be 1 ohm. Here’s one way to do it.

• First, get a monoblock amplifier to stabilize at 1 ohm.
• Connect the positive terminals of the amplifier to the positive terminal of the subwoofer. If you are doing this with two subs, connect the positive of the first sub to the positive of the second sub using another wire.
• Then, wire the negative terminal of the amplifier to the negative of the subwoofer. If you have a second subwoofer, connect the negative of the first sub to the negative of the second sub using a second wire.
• Check the readings with a meter to see if the final impedance is 1 ohm.

How to Wire Dual 2-Ohm Subs to 1-Ohm?

When you are done with the wiring, you will have a final impedance of 1 ohm. It is important to get this right so that the sub-system can be properly installed in the vehicle. Here is a step-by-step guide.

• Get two jumper leads for one positive and negative each. Let’s say you get blue for positive and grey for negative.
• If you’re connecting them in parallel, connect the grey wire to the negative voice coil one and branch it towards voice coil number 2.
• Take the blue jumper and connect it to the positive of voice coil one and branch it to the positive of voice coil number 2.
• Take another set of jumper cables and connect the positive to the positive of the jumper attached to the sub. Do the same with the negatives too.

See the video for a visual explanation.

Check the readings with a meter and the final impedance should be 1 ohm.

Do 1-Ohm subwoofers consume more power than 2-Ohm subwoofers?

Yes, 1-Ohm subwoofers can consume more power than 2-Ohm subwoofers due to their lower impedance. This means that a 1-Ohm subwoofer will require more current to produce the same level of sound as a 2-Ohm subwoofer.

Will a 1-Ohm subwoofer drain the battery in my car faster than a 2-Ohm subwoofer?

Yes, a 1-Ohm subwoofer may drain the battery in your car faster than a 2-Ohm subwoofer due to its higher power consumption. This is because a 1-Ohm subwoofer will require more current to produce the same level of sound as a 2-Ohm subwoofer. To prevent this, it is important to ensure that your car stereo system has a reliable power source and that your battery is in good condition.

Can I use a 1-Ohm subwoofer with a 2-Ohm amplifier?

Yes, it is possible to use a 1-Ohm subwoofer with a 2-Ohm amplifier, but it is important to consider the power handling capabilities of both the subwoofer and the amplifier to ensure that they are compatible. In order to avoid overloading the amplifier and damaging your car stereo system, you should match the impedance of the subwoofer with the rated impedance of the amplifier.

Can I use a 2-Ohm subwoofer with a 1-Ohm amplifier?

No, it is not recommended to use a 2-Ohm subwoofer with a 1-Ohm amplifier, as this will likely result in overloading the amplifier and damaging your car stereo system. The rated impedance of the subwoofer and the amplifier should match to ensure proper operation and avoid damaging either component.