What is Bridged?

[zad0030]

If I set my stereo up bridged, what did I do?

[mtnsmith]

Made it so you are using the positive of one channel and the negative of a 2nd channel to create one more powerful channel, losing the ability to have stereo because both speakers are now getting the one more powerful channel...basically

[philwsailz]

If I set my stereo up bridged, what did I do?

I sat here for a long time starting to type, not knowing how to start.


BTW, mtnsmith's comment is totally correct, I am just adding (confusing?) to the subject.

As mtnsmith shared, when bridging you utilize two channels of an amplifier to drive a single speaker or speaker channel. The power output of the two amp channels is summed, (more or less). This is accomplished by driving the amp channels out of phase with respect to each other, such that when one of the amp channels has its output swinging towards positive, the other channel's output is swinging negative. The speaker or load is connected so that it "sees" the voltage potential between the two outputs; basically twice the voltage that the speaker would "see" if just connected normally to a single amplifier channel.

There are a lot of considerations to take into account when using an amplifier in bridge mode. The impedance that each channel "sees" is halved, when compared with simply connecting the speaker to the channel. Current goes up; basically doubles... Impedance stability neeeds to be taken ito account as well....

Blah blah blah...

Before I write a book, I guess the question begs to be asked: Why are you asking?

It might make sense rather than writing a book on the theory behind it to look at your situation and then determine if it will provide a favorable result, or if it just a distraction....

[spharis]

I usually point questions like this to http://www.bcae1.com

better yet....

http://www.bcae1.com/bridging.htm

[philwsailz]

I usually point questions like this to http://www.bcae1.com

better yet....

http://www.bcae1.com/bridging.htm

Perfect!!!!

He also does a good job of pointing to the typical folly of the thinking; the first two paragrahs under "NOTE" are right on the money.

Thanks for sharing that link SP!!!!!!

[zad0030]

Ok makes sense.

I wanted to know because I was wondering how my stereo was setup and how it should be setup.

Right now im running the 2 channel setup. In the rear the tower speakers are sharing with the interior speakers. I was wondering if this is good or not safe or If it could be improved or something.

[mtnsmith]

Well there's always room for improvement. but budget usually dictates that

As far as ok, are they running off of one amp? I prefer having my tower speakers completely separate from the boat speakers so I can turn them up independently and we can still talk in the boat while the rider 80 feet back can still hear the tunes, just my preference.