Connecting a Bass Habit SPL64 or SPL84 speaker board
Bass Habit SPL64 and SPL84 are assembled car audio speaker boards (raggarplankor) with midbass drivers and tweeters. Both models have two separate connections with an impedance of 2 ohms each.
Connect the board’s left and right sides to one channel each on a separate amplifier. Both sides must be connected.
Which amplifier do I need?
Use an amplifier that supports 2 ohms per channel and has a suitable high-pass filter, HPF.
This can be a two-channel amplifier or two channels on a multichannel amplifier. Check its specifications to make sure it suits the board.
What does 2 + 2 ohms mean?
The board has two separate speaker sections at 2 ohms each. Connecting each section to its own amplifier channel gives a load of 2 ohms on each channel.
Connect as follows:
Amplifier output |
Speaker board connection |
|---|---|
Left channel, positive (+) |
Left terminal, positive (+) |
Left channel, negative (−) |
Left terminal, negative (−) |
Right channel, positive (+) |
Right terminal, positive (+) |
Right channel, negative (−) |
Right terminal, negative (−) |
Check the terminal markings. The speaker cables’ negative conductors must return to the amplifier’s speaker outputs and must not connect to the car’s bodywork.
Do I need to connect the midbass drivers and tweeters separately?
No. In its original configuration, the board is already wired internally. Each side contains two midbass drivers and one tweeter, and the tweeters have capacitor filters.
Connect the amplifier to the board’s two terminal pairs, right and left. Keep the internal wiring and capacitors in place.
What should I consider before starting?
Disconnect power to the system before working on the connections. Position and secure equipment so it cannot move or affect the car’s functions.
Plan cable routing to protect cables from pinching and sharp edges. Also check that all connections are secure.
How do I connect power and signal to the amplifier?
The amplifier needs a power supply and an audio signal from the stereo:
Ground: Start by connecting the ground cable to a suitable, clean, unpainted ground point on the bodywork. Avoid a spot-welded sheet-metal panel with a pre-existing hole.
Power: Run a positive cable from the battery to the amplifier. Fit a fuse on the cable no more than 30 cm from the battery.
Audio signal: Connect an RCA cable from the stereo’s low-level output to the amplifier input.
Remote: If the installation uses separate remote turn-on wiring, connect the stereo’s remote output to the amplifier’s remote terminal.
Cable cross-sectional area and fuse rating must suit the amplifier and cable routing. Follow the equipment’s installation instructions.
How should I set the high-pass filter?
Enable HPF, the high-pass filter, on the channels driving the board. The filter attenuates deep bass and reduces the load on the midbass drivers.
Use the following recommended starting values:
Model |
Midbass driver size |
HPF |
|---|---|---|
Bass Habit SPL64 |
6.5 inches |
Approximately 100–120 Hz |
Bass Habit SPL84 |
8 inches |
Approximately 80–100 Hz |
The models have different speakers and enclosure designs, which affects the suitable crossover frequency. Settings may need adjustment depending on the amplifier’s filters and how loudly you play.
Should I bridge the amplifier?
No. Use a conventional stereo connection, with one side of the board per channel.
An amplifier supporting 2 ohms per channel does not mean it supports 2 ohms in bridged mode. Do not connect a 2-ohm section to bridged outputs unless the amplifier manual explicitly permits that load. An unsuitable load can damage the amplifier.
How do I set Bass Boost and Gain?
Set Bass Boost to 0 dB.
Gain matches the amplifier’s input sensitivity to the stereo’s signal level. Start with gain at minimum and follow the amplifier’s level-setting instructions.
If the amplifier has a CLIP indicator, use it according to the manual. Reduce the level if the sound becomes distorted. Turning gain up to maximum does not automatically produce better or cleaner sound.
Can BRL help me choose an amplifier or check the wiring?
Yes! Tell us whether you have an SPL64 or SPL84 and which car stereo and amplifier you use. We can then help with suitable wiring and settings for your equipment.