WET-44 PRO: How To Select Wattage Tap Settings

Introduction

The Rockville WET 44 Pro is a versatile 70V wall-mount speaker, ideal for commercial and multi-room audio setups. In this guide, you'll learn how to properly tap your speakers to match your amplifier’s power output, ensuring balanced sound and system efficiency.

Understanding 70V Speaker Tapping

A 70V amplifier allows multiple speakers to run at a fixed wattage, making it ideal for large setups. Each speaker is tapped to a specific power level, allowing the amplifier to evenly distribute power.

Available Wattage Tap Options on the WET 44 Pro:

• 3.75W
• 7.5W
• 15W
• 30W
• 6Ω (for use with standard stereo amplifiers)

⚠️ Note: If using the 6Ω tap, avoid parallel wiring multiple speakers, as it can reduce total impedance to 3Ω, which is not safe for most stereo receivers.

Step-by-Step Guide to Tapping Your Speakers

1. Determine Your Amplifier’s Power Output

• Check the total wattage available on your 70V amplifier.
• Divide the wattage by the number of speakers to choose an appropriate tap setting.
  • Example: If your amp provides 100W, and you have 10 speakers, you can tap each at 10W.

2. Adjust the Tap Setting on the Speaker

• Locate the wattage tap selector on the back of the WET 44 Pro.
• Set the desired tap position (e.g., 3.75W, 7.5W, 15W, or 30W).

3. Connect Speaker Wires

• Press down on the spring-loaded terminals and insert the speaker wire:
  • Red wire → Positive (+) terminal
  • Black wire → Negative (-) terminal

4. Run Speaker Wires to the Amplifier

• Connect the speaker wires to the matching terminals on the 70V amplifier.
• If using a multi-zone amplifier, assign each speaker to the appropriate zone for independent volume control.

5. Test and Adjust Volume

• Power on the amplifier and gradually increase the volume.
• Ensure that each speaker is outputting balanced sound without distortion.
• Fine-tune the tap settings if necessary.

FAQs & Troubleshooting

Q: How do I determine the best tap setting?

• Consider how loud you want each speaker to be and how much total power your amplifier provides.
• Use lower tap settings for background music and higher tap settings for louder applications.

Q: What happens if I set the tap too high?

• If you exceed the amplifier’s total wattage, the sound may distort or the system may shut down.

Q: Can I use these speakers with a standard stereo amplifier?

• Yes, by setting the tap to 6Ω, but avoid parallel wiring multiple speakers to prevent impedance issues.

Conclusion

Tapping your Rockville WET 44 Pro 70V speakers is a simple but crucial step in setting up a multi-speaker sound system. By choosing the right wattage tap, you can optimize sound performance while protecting your amplifier from overload. Enjoy your setup!