How to Wire Train Speakers in Series with SoundTraxx

[@SethJohnson0606]

Super helpful, George! Thank you.

[@SoundtraxxDCC]

Glad it was helpful!

[@billmorgan6110]

RE: Chipquick Flux. It is actually a {de-soldering flux} used to replace [IC's] on a circuit board.

[@SoundtraxxDCC]

It is designed for working on PCBs. Flux in Syringes like this are for rework, yes. But that doesn’t mean it will not work for this application.

[@boomerdiorama]

Nice little tutorial on speaker configurations and wiring options. Thank You Sir. Cheers.

[@SoundtraxxDCC]

Thank you!

[@alainaarrhodge5900]

Very helpful! Thank you George.

[@SoundtraxxDCC]

Glad it was helpful!

[@diegoruiz7893]

👍👍 Estupendo,gracias!!!! 👌👌

[@SoundtraxxDCC]

Thanks!

[@BenMaddux]

I agree with Richard, it does make a difference to wire the polarity correctly, + to - . When out of phase (- to - and + to +) the sound waves from each speaker are "working against each other". That means as one is pushing "out", the other is traveling in the opposite direction and this will diminish/distort the sound output.

[@SoundtraxxDCC]

I’m sure there are nuances, but our engineers have always recommended these in Series as shown in the video. That way, when one is pushing out, the other is not sucking inward, resulting in poor quality. And being near each other, the pressure form the speakers are working together rather than fighting each other. For ease of install and without getting caught off in the weeds, adopting a practical setup like series as shown is easy to do and will work great in our models. If we were talking about convert halls, then we may be having a different conversation.

[@faizalhathy8433]

Vey precise and clear.

[@SoundtraxxDCC]

Thank you.

[@FJX2000_Productions]

Just ordered two Mini Cube speakers for a Bachmann Shay equipped with an Econami! I think I can fit both under the coal load and it should sound WAY better than the current speaker setup!

[@SoundtraxxDCC]

Yay let us know how this turned out!

[@FJX2000_Productions]

@@SoundtraxxDCC turned out good! I installed them and posted up a video on my channel 👍

[@SoundtraxxDCC]

@@FJX2000_Productions Very cool, you should share the link on our Facebook so everyone can see!

[@FJX2000_Productions]

@@SoundtraxxDCC I believe you guys already shared it 👍

[@SoundtraxxDCC]

@@FJX2000_Productions Oh, great then!

[@res1945]

Good video, thank you! It does make a difference in volume if the speakers in series are close to one another. In that case you should always wire them minus to plus between the two speakers. +[ ]- +[ ]-That way they are called "In Phase".

[@SoundtraxxDCC]

Thanks for the tip!

[@donaldmoore8920]

Awesome how to video

[@SoundtraxxDCC]

Thank you!

[@spacecalander]

Great job, good information!

[@SoundtraxxDCC]

Thanks

[@frankhellman6879]

Hi George. With two in series, the ohms double. Doesn't that impact your decoder's output?

[@SoundtraxxDCC]

Actually, each speaker is rated at .7w, so the 2 cubes added together are 1.4w. Not quite 2W, but close and will work. (I think these are 1w peak). You also get the benefit of the 2 speakers working together to help make the sound. Using the Tsu2 7-band eq you can now get some boost on the low end and you’ll hear it cleaner than many other speakers that would fit. Our cubes can reproduce down to 100 Hz. So with 2 working, you’ll hear that low-end come through better. We have one that is a trade show mule with 2 cubes and it’s been running for a long time.

[@alexlile5561]

Can you make a video show how this sounds? And could this be done in N-scale too?

[@SoundtraxxDCC]

We have several videos with multiple speakers. Check out our channel. And yes you can do this in N-Scale. Please contact our Support Department directly for more help with this, thank you. SoundTraxx Support Department: soundtraxx.com/contact/technical-support?

[@Kevin-ev7hw]

What about using some MEK when you run out of Tenex. Its a solvent that is used in the paint Industry. It melts Styrene, It is what Tenex 7 really is. Just a suggestion.

[@SoundtraxxDCC]

I’ve heard of the MEK and stuff from Micro Mark called “Same Stuff” Will get these when needed. Thank you for the tip!

[@FierroDuroRails]

Is ok if I do 3 of the mini cube in series?

[@SoundtraxxDCC]

You can use 2+ Mini Cube Speakers. Our Support Team can tell you how best to wire them for the decoder you have: [phone] or [e-mail]

[@capnsean520]

Glad to see my workbench isn’t the only messy... ahem, I mean disorganized one out there. Lol jk Thanks, George!

[@SoundtraxxDCC]

Haha, yes that happens!

[@captainbill12]

You mentioned not knowing what to do when you can't get Tenax 7R cement. I have an answer for you. As I read somewhere Micromark reverse engineered Tenax 7R cement and sells it under the name "Same Stuff". I have used it and it seems to work exactly the same.

[@SoundtraxxDCC]

Thanks for the tip, I may have to try that out soon!

[@rogerhuber3133]

Is there a sound difference in wiring them in series vs parallel? With your good quality speakers is there really an advantage to using 2 speakers?

[@SoundtraxxDCC]

Yes we have a few video on wiring and yes on the multiple speakers. Our great quality sound will sound bad through a bad speaker. Model trains are hard because we have space limitations, but the sound will only sound as good as the speaker will make it. If you hook our decoder up to a stereo system you will get awesome sound, but obviously not possible on your train. When you use two speakers they work together to better create those low frequencies that are hard for small speakers.

[@philipmendolia7137]

Thank you,

[@SoundtraxxDCC]

:)

[@nateshon3eastbroadtoprailr448]

Use MEK in place of Tenax 7R, a quart will last you a lifetime plus it's cheaper

[@SoundtraxxDCC]

good to know!

[@sscalercourtney5486]

Everything but how to wire the speakers on your locomotive

[@SoundtraxxDCC]

It depends on the locomotive. You can contact our Support Department for more assistance: [e-mail]