I recently found out that you can bridge a single channel amp. This makes no sense to me. Can anyone tell me specifically what bridging a single channel amp does? I mean how does it give more watts? (and how is it done?)

I would think they were talking about "bridging" a single channel amp to another identical amp.

When you bridge one amp to another amp like the above, is the total RMS watts combined? To which amp do you connect the subs?

Would connect 1x sub to each amp or both subs off one amp?

Also, do the amps have to match the RMS ratings? or could you bridge 2x different rated amps as long as they are both bridgable?

[ November 13, 2005, 12:43 PM: Message edited by: peemoeller ]

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yes you can bridge any two amps if you know what you are doing... but Iam not sure why anyone would want to....

Bridging identicle mono-block amps is common.. both amps +ve terminal hooks up to the load and one amp plays 180degrees out of phase in a push/pull fashion just like any other amp that has voltage on both +ve and -ve terminals....

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***NEW QUESTION***
What if you're looking at an amp that mentions it is "Not Bridgable"
Does this specifically mean it cannot be combined with another amp, even if it is the same amp (a second one) or what does the "Bridging" aspect refer to when it's mentioned in the specs of a new amp?

I'd like to use 2 amps together, exactly the same, but they mention "Not Bridgable" so I'm concerned as to what that may mean.

Way to bring back an ancient thread...






If an amp's manual says that it is not bridgable then it probably has just not been designed to be a bridgable amp... most amps have the hot line on +ve for one channel, and on -'ve or the other with that channel 180 degrees out of phase from the other...

if your amp has both channels hot on +'ve then you'd need to reverse the phase of the signal going into one channel's RCA input... then bridge the +'ve terminals... Two seperate monoblock amplifiers can be bridged in the same way....

If they are not monoblock amplifiers then you are looking to bridge, bridged amplifiers... the only way you could do that is if the amps have seperate ground returns... you would need two alts, seperate batts, and seperate power wiring to set something up in any practical sense...

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Well I'd rather bring one back up rather than starting a new one, but anyways ...

D Class Mono Block Amps, yes ...
As long as it can be done, that's all I'm concerned about.

I don't want to have them installed (because I can't do that) and find out "Well they're clearly not bridgeable, therefore you can't use them both" or something of the sorts.
I wouldn't know, which is why I'm asking.

So what would the amps BEING bridgeable be good for? They COMBINE POWER or what's the real point of the bridging ability?

Bridging is usually used on multichannel amplifiers for combining the power of two channels into one channel, the usual downside is that in bridged mode you are usually limited to a load of 4 ohms (unless otherwise specified). I have an amp that will put out 200rms at 2 ohms x 2 channels or in bridged mode 450rms at 4ohms. If you really want power, just buy a monoblock.

yea. they will combine power.

being able to bridge amp channels is akin to having dual voice coils.... If I were you I wouldn't worry about it, and get subs that will work with your pair of seperate amps....


N00Bx

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Okay, that makes a lot more sense, thanks for the info everyone.
Guess I gotta pick up this info somewhere ... greatly appreciated
Puts my mind at ease