how do I use one two wire speaker cable to connect it to two in-ceiling speakers?

Question

I was wondering if I could just use the first speakers connection jack to tie the second wire to the second speaker jack or if I need to splice them

Answer 1

There could be problems in connecting the two speakers together. First, both speakers will play the same signal--it will not be stereo. Sometimes ceiling speakers are used for surround sound, and for Dolby Pro-Logic (analog) the surround speakers receive the same signal, so it doesn't matter. For Dolby DIgital 5.1, the two rear speakers get different signals.

You have to choose whether to use a series or parallel connection. The best would be parallel connection, but only if your amplifier can handle it. If you have access to the specifications and instructions of your amplifier, there may be a lower limit to the impedance of speakers it drives. When you combine speakers in parallel, the impedance is cut in half. That could drop the effective impedance to below the safe limit for the amplifier (it could overheat). It also depends on the speaker's actual impedance. If you can get the information on your amp and speakers, then use the parallel connection if it is safe. For example if your speakers are 8 ohms (typical), parallel connection results in 4 ohms. If your amplifier allows 4 ohm speaker loads, then you're ok. If you don't have any of this information, the connect the speakers in series; there is no way that will cause a problem for your amplifier. The sound volume will be reduced slightly, but it is easily made up for by level adjustment.

You also have to connect the speakers properly to avoid phase cancellation. The speaker connections may be colored red and black; if so, for parallel connection connect the red of one to the red of the other, same with the black. For series connection, connect a wire from the amp to first speaker's red, connect first speaker's black to second speaker's red, connect second speaker's black to the other amp wire.

Not all amplifiers allow one of the speaker leads to be "common", but some do; if you don't know, don't do it.

Answer 2

well, either way, you'll need some extra wire. you can run both speakers off the one twisted pair of wire (ok, technically it's not twisted, but, i'm used to calling it twisted pair because of the comm industry, but it is just a pair), but they'll be on the same channel. there are two ways you can hook the speakers up. parallel, in which you basically take each wire and run it to both speakers...or series where you run the signal through both speakers. you really have no advantage of going series..it's not as loud and increases load on the amplifier..but if you want to run the wires to one speaker, then connect another speaker to the same wires, sure, go for it...but just know they'll be on the same channel. in order to have stereo, you HAVE to run an indvidual pair to the speaker (ok, so, you COULD cheat and use a common ground....the performence will be questionale and wait..audio is an AC sigal anyway, it doesn't have a positive and negative persay)