Would this speaker solve my stereo to Mono problem?

[DeLuSioNal29]

Hi all,

I'm in the process of building a vertical arcade cabinet.  Since it's a recycled cabinet, it has one single speaker hole already cut out above.  I'm using a typical stereo 4ohm computer speaker set at the moment to power the sound.  To avoid cutting new holes for a stereo setup, I'd like to use the existing hole and use one speaker for both outputs (L and R).  I was thinking of wiring up the set to the speaker listed here:  http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=299-715&FTR=299-715&CFID=1859129&CFTOKEN=59318954

Does anyone know if it will work?  The speaker is 8-ohm, but it looks like both 4-ohm connectors can be connected at one time to this speaker, which claims it takes two stereo inputs.  Will connecting both make it 8-ohm?  I'm lost here.

Thoughts?  Thanks in advance for the feedback.

DeLuSioNaL29

[FrizzleFried]

That will work.  Dual voice-coils is the key.

[Red 5]

If you connect the left channel to 1 input and the right channel to the other input then
 you will drive this speaker in 8 ohm each channel.

Jon

[DeLuSioNal29]

For good measure, I talked to a tech at parts-express.  He was very knowledgable and confirmed that it would work for my setup.  Like Jon above just stated, you connect each channel to each side of the speaker and it will come out in stereo!    The tech also confirmed that a 4 ohm setup will work fine with these 8 ohm speakers.  You just can't do it the other way around.

Not too shabby for $10 though!

EDIT:  I may also use it with this amp in the future:  http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=120468962500&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

D

[Turnarcades]

For good measure, I talked to a tech at parts-express.  He was very knowledgable and confirmed that it would work for my setup.  Like Jon above just stated, you connect each channel to each side of the speaker and it will come out in stereo!     The tech also confirmed that a 4 ohm setup will work fine with these 8 ohm speakers.  You just can't do it the other way around.

Not too shabby for $10 though!

EDIT:  I may also use it with this amp in the future:  http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=120468962500&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

D

The left/right trick is called bridging and with car amps is a good way to boost power on a single speaker whilst retaining stereo sound, assuming the amp supports bridging.

[whines]

The left/right trick is called bridging and with car amps is a good way to boost power on a single speaker whilst retaining stereo sound, assuming the amp supports bridging.

Wierd! In pro audio and home audio, bridging refers to a function some amps have that combines the right and left channels (of the amp) into one powerful channel. One would then need two (or five, or seven) amps, one for each speaker.

...all way beyond the needs of arcade audio. I hope.

I'm seriously thinking of ordering one of those to replace the worn-out speaker on my cab! As you say, great price!

[MaximRecoil]

If you connect the left channel to 1 input and the right channel to the other input then
 you will drive this speaker in 8 ohm each channel.

Jon

This is correct. Each voice coil is 8 ohms. If your stereo amplifier is rated to be stable for 8 ohms stereo operation then that speaker is perfect. If your amplifer is stable at 4 ohms stereo, then you will be missing out on half the power it could be producing by running it at 8 ohms (this won't hurt anything however, in fact, it is easier on the amplifier).

BTW, this is going to sound essentially the same as summed mono, because the only physical stereo separation you will be getting is from the separate tweeters, and they are very close together (i.e., very little physical stereo separation distance). There will be no physical stereo separation with the midrange frequencies, because both channels will be using the same cone.

Another possibility — if your speaker hole in the cabinet is large enough — is to make a single mounting plate for two small speakers, and mount the plate into the single speaker hole in the cabinet. That may sound better because that single large 8" speaker is probably going to take significant wattage to energize properly, which you may not have. The problem with energizing that single large 8" speaker is going to be even worse if your amp is geared toward 4 ohm stereo operation. Additionally, with the pair of speakers in a single mounting plate, you would get more stereo separation (especially with regard to the woofers, given that the single large speaker has zero stereo separation with the woofers).

The left/right trick is called bridging and with car amps is a good way to boost power on a single speaker whilst retaining stereo sound, assuming the amp supports bridging.

This has nothing to do with bridging. What is going on here is no different in terms of technical function than connecting a stereo amplifier to a pair of ordinary SVC speakers in the usual manner. This particular speaker combines two coaxial speakers into one unit, sharing the woofer magnet and cone, but still having separate woofer voice coils as well as separate complete teeters.

[Zebidee]

Another possibility — if your speaker hole in the cabinet is large enough — is to make a single mounting plate for two small speakers, and mount the plate into the single speaker hole in the cabinet. That may sound better because that single large 8" speaker is probably going to take significant wattage to energize properly, which you may not have. The problem with energizing that single large 8" speaker is going to be even worse if your amp is geared toward 4 ohm stereo operation.

After a lot of trial and error myself, I've also found this to be the simplest solution to outputting 4ohm sound to one speaker hole - just put two normal 4ohm speakers together. It doesn't really matter if the speakers, when placed together, are slightly larger than the hole. Cut a mask out of craftwood so that there are no gaps.

[DeLuSioNal29]

The left/right trick is called bridging and with car amps is a good way to boost power on a single speaker whilst retaining stereo sound, assuming the amp supports bridging.

Yes, I am familiar with bridging.  I've done that with my subwoofer in my car with an amp I had.  But I think this speaker has separate coils so that it emulates two physical speakers in the space of one.  The terminals on the rear are separate inputs, although they are on the same side.

D

[DeLuSioNal29]

I've just ordered 2 speakers for my projects.  I had considered using two speakers mounted next to each other over the hole, with a grille cover over it, but you could see the speakers if you looked into the grille cover.  I solved the problem by cutting up and old black t-shirt and staple gunning it over the inside of the hole and then mounting the speakers.  However, I'd like it to look more authentic with a real speaker in there.  These are for Pentium II driven vertical cabs running a DOS version of MAME and classic games, so I'm not too concerned with the quality of sound too much since most of the older games didn't have much bass in them like newer ones.

I will probably order that amp I linked to as well, just to try it for future builds.

Thanks all for your help!

I'll see if I can post pics of the final product when it's done.

DeLuSioNaL29