Subwoofer wiring diagrams
Which wiring option will work best for you?
There are many ways to wire subwoofers and amplifiers together. The ideal setup is when subs and amps match their impedance and power capabilities to optimize performance. In this article, we'll help you find the best subwoofer wiring diagram for hooking up your system.
Just click on the "AMP" or "SUB" box below, answer a few questions, and you'll be presented with the wiring diagrams relevant to your search. You can find a glossary of terms below the interactive module.
Glossary of subwoofer terms
SVC
A Single Voice Coil subwoofer (or svc sub) has two wiring terminal posts, one marked positive and the other marked negative.
DVC
A Dual Voice Coil subwoofer (or dvc sub) has four wiring terminal posts, two positve terminals and two negative terminals. The extra terminals give you more options for wiring the speaker.
Ohms
The impedance of a subwoofer coil is expressed in ohms. Impedance is the amount of electrical resistance, or load, a sub puts up against an amplifier's output. Subwoofer voice coils usually come in 2-ohm, 4-ohm, or 8-ohm impedances. The value is often found printed on the magnet, if you're unsure of what you have.
Series wiring and parallel wiring
These terms refer to two ways of routing the speaker wires to your subs to properly manage the overall impedance load. Whether you need to use a series wiring configuration, parallel wiring, or a mix of both, our diagrams will show you exactly the best way to wire your speakers.
Note: When you wire dual voice coils and multiple subs together, the resulting total impedance is not always simple to figure out or practical to use.
Amplifier output
An amplifier will put out more power through a low-impedance sub than it will through a high-impedance sub. But a lower impedance also means more stress on the amp. Some amplifiers can even drive a 1-ohm load safely, and achieve maximum output. Refer to your amp manufacturer or owner's manual to determine whether or not yours can handle a low-impedance load.
Bridged mode
Bridging an amp combines two amplifier channels into one, to get more power. The disadvantage of bridging is that bridged channels can't drive impedance loads as low as they can when unbridged. How to bridge the amp is usually indicated at the amp's speaker wire terminals.
Wire
All the wires depicted in the Subwoofer Wiring Diagrams are speaker wires. For wiring subwoofers, we recommend using wires of 12- to 16-gauge in size.
Start building your bass system today
Now that you've seen how to wire subwoofers and amplifiers together, you can knowledgeably shop Crutchfield's extensive selection of subwoofers and amplifiers. We also carry amp wiring kits, speaker wire, RCA cables, capacitors, and much more.
Contact us by phone, chat, or email and an Advisor will help you get what you need. If you want to learn more about amplifier systems, check out our Amplifier Installation Guide.
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Cody Gunter from Fairhope
Posted on 12/1/2019I have a sundown audio SA-10 DVC 2 ohm sub rated for 750 watts. I was wondering what kind of amp would run it best?
Buck Pomerantz from Crutchfield on 12/2/2019Cody, Your DVC 2-ohm sub rated for 750 watts RMS will work best with an amp that can put out up to 750 watts RMS at 1 ohm, like a Rockford Fosgate R750-1D, wired like this diagram.Tyler from Tillamook
Posted on 11/18/2019Please forgive the use of cheap stuff I don't have a lot of money lol but anyway I have a powerbass ps-wb12 box. 2 12 inch svc subs that cane wired already but I'm curious if I can wire them down to 2 ohm instead of 4? I also have a cheap boss audio riot 1100w amp that I'm using to power them and want to get more bass from it by lowering the ohm need from the subs
Buck Pomerantz from Crutchfield on 11/18/2019Tyler, That amp and sub's power ratings match perfectly. Lowering the sub's impedance would endanger it, if it were possible. The alternative wiring for two subs presently wired together forming a 4-ohm load will produce a 1-ohm or a 16-ohm load.Andre Ferebee from ST Mary's
Posted on 11/13/2019I have 2 kicker comprt 10 2ohm dual voice coils Which amp would be better to power it. Jl Mx500/1 or Stetsom hl2000.4
Buck Pomerantz from Crutchfield on 11/14/2019Andre, Those subs would work with that second amp, with the subs wired to it like this diagram, and leaving two of the amp channels unused.Trey from Lufkin
Posted on 11/1/2019I want to get real feedback from someone way smarter than me. I have a crunch Powerzone PZi 1500.1 amp, here are the specs on it: RMS Power @ 4 ohms 375 watts x 1 channels, RMS Power @ 2 ohms 750 watts x 1 channels, RMS Power @ 1 ohm 1500 watts x 1 channels. I have two Kicker CVR 10CVR24 subwoofers (Dual Voice Coil 4 ohm). Am I able to wire this at 1 ohm load? Thanks!
Buck Pomerantz from Crutchfield on 11/2/2019Trey, That amplifier will probably blow those subs to pieces if wired together in a one-ohm arrangement. The subs can be wired together to form a 1-ohm load, but I don't recommend doing so using that amp.Jay
Posted on 10/27/2019I have two NVX VCW 15d2 subwoofers. First I wanted to wire them to 1 ohm on a CAB 1600.1 which dynos out at around 2200 watts at 1 ohm. I was curious if running them at low impedance like that would shorten their lifespan and should I go with a 2 ohm load on that amp dynos around 1800. They are in a small sealed box. Well as small as the recommended listing for them goes.
Buck Pomerantz from Crutchfield on 10/29/2019Jay, Two DVC 2-ohm subs can only get wired together to form a 0.5-ohm load, a 2-ohm load, or an 8-ohm load. And that amp can't handle a 0.5 ohm load.Jeffrey Hoekstra from Zaandijk
Posted on 10/19/2019I recently bought this JBL GTR 7535 amp along with 2 Club 1224 subwoofers. The subs have a switch which lets you choose between 2 and 4 ohms. The amp has an output of 350 Watts rms at 2 ohms and 200 Watts at 4 ohms. The subs do 275 Watts rms a piece, so i was maybe thinking getting a smaller mono amp for the other sub, unless you think i don't have to. Now, I'm a complete beginner with wiring this kind of stuff so if you have any suggestions, that'd be great. Thanks!
Buck Pomerantz from Crutchfield on 10/21/2019Jeffrey, You could wire that gear together, after setting each sub to 4 ohms, like this diagram. If that's not loud enough for you, you can then get a second amp.Harold G from Manila
Posted on 10/6/2019I have a Helix V8 amp / dsp and I'd like to use channels 7 and 8 for my sub (DVC sub). Unfortunately the V8 does not support bridging, can I just connect channel 7 in one voice coil of the sub and channel 8 in the other voice coil?
Buck Pomerantz from Crutchfield on 10/7/2019Harold, That'll work, as long as the signal of those two channels are identical and in phase.Nate from Topeka
Posted on 10/5/2019I have a Soundstream Ar1.8000d 4000rms watt mono amp that can use 4000 watts at one ohm, and 2500 watts at 2ohm, and Im using 2 Fosgate P3D2 12s, how would you suggest I wire my subs up an what size gauge wire should I use? I have my amp and subs In my trunk of my 04 impala (with an after market pioneer head unit)
Buck Pomerantz from Crutchfield on 10/5/2019Nate, Those subs are each rated for 600 watts RMS each, 1200 watts together. That amplifier is a lot more powerful than what those subs can handle, so I recommend not using them together.DJ from NYC
Posted on 9/23/2019Hi, I currently have 2x6-1/2" Kenwood's (RMS 150 each speaker @ 4 Ohm) in the front doors and 2x6-1/2" Clarion's (RMS 150 @ 4ohm) in the rear deck of my 04 Saturn which are now powered only by the old factory AM/FM/CD unit and I get pretty good highs, decent mid and some low end, but just not enough volume or "thump" and I do get mucho distortion from the weak head unit if/when I turn the volume up too much and it's just not good enough for my poor ears. A neighbor friend just gave me two ipipe dvc 12" subs (without a box) he had laying around unused over the weekend, tested both and they work fine. I was thinking of using only one of the subs in a single box, since my car's interior isn't large at all, should I go with a 5 channel Amp., something like the Boss PV3700 which has A-left and right, B-left and right and Sub-left and right, for example? If that Amp. is suitable, should I wire it up as each front 6-1/2" speaker to channel-A, each rear speaker to channel-B and the 5th (sub.) channel on the Amp. bridged to the sub? or should I run it UN-bridged with two seperate sets of wires from the Amp's sub channel with one of each going to only one of the voice-coils on the sub? Which way would give me more volume, more thump, less distortion? I do also plan on changing out the head unit, I'm just not sure which one would be suitable for the layout I'm going with and also not break the bank! I'd like something that has both a video screen for map/cam purpos
Buck Pomerantz from Crutchfield on 9/24/2019DJ, That amp has a single subwoofer output channel, so there can be no bridging. If that sub is a DVC 4-ohm model, you can wire it to that amp's sub channel like this diagram. As for a Nav receiver, give us a call and an Advisor will help you pick out the right one for you.Josh from St Louis MO
Posted on 9/18/2019I recently bought a Skar audio ZVX-12v2 and im having issues figuring out what to power it with amp/wiring kit
Buck Pomerantz from Crutchfield on 9/19/2019Josh, That sub comes in DVC 1-ohm and DVC 2-ohm models, both rated for 1500 watts RMS. If you have the 1-ohm version, look for an amp that can put out up to 1500 watts RMS at 2 ohms. If you have the 2-ohm version, look for an amp that can put out up to 1500 watts RMS at 1 ohm. The amp you choose will specify what size wiring it needs.-
Dave Goodman from Virginia Beach
Posted on 9/12/2019I have a JL MHD 750/1 and three M10IB5 subs. What is the best method to run the wiring and is this amp capable to property run three of these subs?
Buck Pomerantz from Crutchfield on 9/13/2019 Dave, The only practical way to wire three SVC 4-ohm subs together results in a 1.3 ohm load, which that amp can't handle. You'd do better with an amp that can put out up to 750 watts RMS at 1 ohm.
juan f ortiz jr from SARASOTA
Posted on 9/12/2019Hi your diagrams are pretty useful but im having problem identifying which one is voice coil 1 and number 2 , i see a sub with + - + - from left to right, so the first +- from left is one coil and the other combination is second right thank you
Buck Pomerantz from Crutchfield on 9/12/2019 Juan, You are correct.
James from Leedey
Posted on 9/4/2019I have one svc 4 ohm pioneer 1300 watts and running a dual 600 watt 2 channel amp also 4 ohm stable. Whats best way to wire? Currently have it bridged. BUT is there any other way to wire it to get more out of it or is just upgrading my amp my only option. It hits pretty good. But just seeing if was anymore i could do??
Buck Pomerantz from Crutchfield on 9/4/2019 James, Bridging a 2-channel amplifier maximizes its output power capability.
Bama dude from Dayton tx
Posted on 9/1/2019Hey I have a 3000 watt Mono block class D ds18 candy xxl1b With a one ohm stable I'm about to put in two Skar Audio SDR-12 D2 12" 1200 Watt Max Power Dual 2 Ohm Car Subwoofer rated at 600rms my amp is rated at 1000 watts at one ohm how should I wire this and will this set up work
Buck Pomerantz from Crutchfield on 9/3/2019 Bama, The only safe way to wire that gear together is like this diagram.
Joshua P St Clair from PITTSFIELD
Posted on 8/26/2019To run 4 SVC is series, do I need to split of terminal on sub or is it ok to use the terminal cup?
Buck Pomerantz from Crutchfield on 8/27/2019 Joshua, If you have four SVC subs each mounted in a box with a terminal cup, you can wire the subs together using the connections of the terminal cups.
Colby Kemp
Posted on 8/17/2019I have a hifonics ZEX1350.1D ZEUS ELITE amp and 2 Kicker 10CVR124 12" subs. How should they be wired and what's a good starting point for the settings on the amp.
Buck Pomerantz from Crutchfield on 8/19/2019 Colby, The only safe way to wire that gear together is like this diagram. The amp is too powerful for the subs wired another way.
Steve
Posted on 7/20/2019Hi Buck I have a Soundstream DTR1.1700D amp (it's old but works a treat) It is rated 2ohms @ 1100watts x 1 chan and 1ohm @ 1700watts x 1 chan For subwoofer i currently have a Soundstream SPLX-152HX, which i believe is a dual 2 ohm sub with 1250w RMS. Without seeing my wiring, would you assume this is wired as 1ohm? Also, i am thinking of swapping up the 15 inch to a 10inch sub, and Orion HCCA102 10", which is a 2ohm DVC, with 2000W RMS. i assume this would be wired as 1ohm? Do you see any issues running the 10 inch sub on my amp? Ideally i want the amp to be less powerful than the sub so that i do not blow the sub. Thanks
Buck Pomerantz from Crutchfield on 7/22/2019 Steve, You should never assume how a sub is wired - false assumptions can be dangerous - you need to verify it by visually examining the wiring. A DVC 2-ohm sub gets wired as a 1-ohm load like this diagram. And a 4-ohm load like this diagram.
Alex from Birmingham UK
Posted on 7/16/2019I have just brought myself a new Vibe BlackAir B8-V6 compact subwoofer which I am trying to use with a FLI Loaded 450S amp. The amp has a bridged output of 225watt RMS @ 4ohms and the subwoofer is DVC, 400watt RMS @ 4ohms. The amp will overheat after around 30 mins which is making me think that I need a more powerful amp closer to 400watt RMS? I was powering a Kenwood KFC-W3012 1200watt subwoofer off the same amp which wasn't anywhere near as bad with overheating.
Buck Pomerantz from Crutchfield on 7/16/2019 Alex, As you found out, that amp can handle a 4-ohm sub when bridged but not a sub wired as a 2-ohm load, which is why the amp overheats. The only safe way to wire that gear together is like this diagram.
chris from jacksonville, FL
Posted on 7/14/2019hi, i have an Alpine Type R 15 and with a Belva bb5000d. i would like to pair them but i am not sure if the amp is just to much for the sub. Do you think there is a safe way?
Buck Pomerantz from Crutchfield on 7/15/2019 Chris, That amp will probably blow that sub to smithereens.
Martin from Winter Haven
Posted on 7/14/2019Hey, I bought a pass package from skar audio and it is already wired inside the box for 1 ohm and the amp is already 1 ohm stable. It's a monoblock amp but it has 2 channels so do I just use 1 of the channels and go straight to the box or bridge both channels together since the box only has 1 port to connect to.
Buck Pomerantz from Crutchfield on 7/15/2019 Martin, Your mono, 1-channel amp has two sets of speaker output terminals, wired together inside the amp, for convenience, and if you hook a speaker to each terminal it would result in the two speakers being wired in parallel, cutting the total impedance in half. For your set-up, just use one set of terminals.
Pete from Sacramento
Posted on 7/5/2019I have 2 alpine swt10s2 subs wired to an alpine xa90m, after looking at some of the wiring diagrams I'm wondering if I wired them correctly and if I bought the right subs. I wired each sub directly to the amp as it has outputs for 2 subs ( does this mean it's a 2 channel amp? ) so am I getting 300w rms per sub at 4ohms? Or should I have bought 2 swt10s4's instead and would I have got more power going to them, 450w each at 2ohms?
Buck Pomerantz from Crutchfield on 7/5/2019 Pete, Your mono, 1-channel amplifier has two speaker output terminals that are wired together inside the amp. The second speaker output terminal is there for convenience and if you hook a speaker to each terminal it would result in the two speakers being wired in parallel, cutting the total impedance in half. Wire a 2-ohm sub to each terminal, and the amp sees one ohm as its total load. Your amp won't like this and will probably shut down or overheat. If you can exchange those 2-ohm models for the 4-ohm versions you'd be better off. Otherwise, the only safe way to wire your gear together is like this.
Bobby from Huntsville tx.
Posted on 6/30/2019Best way to wire 2 10" and 2 12" DVC kickers to one mono amp with a 2 ohm rating.
Buck Pomerantz from Crutchfield on 7/1/2019 Bobby, Not knowing exactly what amplifier or subwoofers you have make it impossible to give advice on how to wire them together. If you want a question answered about a system, you must identify the equipment by brand names and model numbers, so we can get you the right answers.
Greg reinhold
Posted on 6/19/2019I recently purchased a loaded box with amp (fKICKER16-PACK1868)or my jku and a Pioneer AVH-2550NEX to run everything. I have a couple of questions as I don't want to tear anything up right away. 1) The amp is 1 channel, but had 2 sets of output terminals. Do I wire a sub to each set? 2) The amp has a low and high imput. With the above mentioned head unit, which setting should I use? 3) Crossover: What is its function and how should it be set? 4) Gain: Again what is the function and how should it be set? Sorry about all the questions, but the amp didn't come with any paperwork and this is my first time attempting this. Thanks
Buck Pomerantz from Crutchfield on 6/19/2019 Greg, Your mono, 1-channel amp has two sets of speaker output terminals, wired together inside the amp, for convenience, and if you hook a speaker to each terminal it would result in the two speakers being wired in parallel, cutting the total impedance in half. For your set-up, that's exactly what you can do: wire one sub to each set of terminals. Your aftermarket receiver should provide low-level input to the sub amp via RCA cables. As for your other questions - check out Tuning your subs for some answers.
George
Posted on 6/18/2019Hello I have two P/3 12inch shallow dual 2ohm Punch subs I purchased here.what is the best way to wire them to a kicker 1200w CXA600.1 mono amp? Thanks.
Buck Pomerantz from Crutchfield on 6/19/2019 George, Your two DVC 2-ohm subs should get wired to that amp like this diagram.
Joseph from Clovis
Posted on 6/15/2019Im buying 2 kicker comprt the dual 2 ohm with the 100-400 rms would the Alpine MRV-M500 be a good amp to run both of them or would I need a different amp.
Buck Pomerantz from Crutchfield on 6/17/2019 Joseph, That amp will work, but those subs will work even better with an amp that will power them closer to their 800 watts RMS total rating, like Rockford Fosgate's R1200-1D
Kevin Kidd from Axis
Posted on 6/13/2019I'm building a ported box for a pair of Massive brand SUMMO64 6.5" subs. Both subs are 4 ohm SVC. My amp is an Alpine M500. The speaker wire will run from the amp and will be introduced to the box via bolts through the side of the box. I've seen the diagram on how to get the 4 ohm subs to a 2 ohm load. The direct leads on the subwoofers are what is throwing me off. I'm not sure how to wire them up. Can I just wire the positive of each sub to 1 bolt in the box wall and the negative of each sub to the other bolt, and then run a single strand of speaker wire from the amp to the bolts?
Buck Pomerantz from Crutchfield on 6/13/2019 Kevin, Yes, that's electrically the same as the diagram.
Mustafa from Adana
Posted on 6/12/2019I have a four channel Sony xm-n1004 amplifier. I also have Sony xs-gs1621C speakers with tweeters. Besides, I have a Sony 1800 watt xplod subwoofer. My question is this: Sony speakers have a converter (crossover) with 4 inputs and 4 outputs each. I want to connect my subwoofer to my amplifier as well as those sony speakers and tweeters. But if I connect all the channels, sony speakers will occupy all the inputs (2 speakers, 2 tweeters. In total, 4 outputs). Instead of connecting 4 inputs, can I connect only one input by parallel connection to the crossover and take 2 outputs from that crossover (1 for tweeters, 1 for speakers)? If yes, in this case, there will be 2 channels empty on my amplifier. How should I connect my subwoofer to those two channels? Should it be parallel connection? Thank you so much for your future help.
Buck Pomerantz from Crutchfield on 6/14/2019 Mustafa, The instructions for those component set crossovers is pretty unclear, but you can wire jumpers between the positive tweeter and positive woofer input connectors and also the negative to negative tweeter and woofer input connectors, and then run one speaker wire pair from your amp's output to the crossover input (one or the other, they're wired together). Now, you have two amp channels left for your sub. If your subwoofer is 2 ohms, you can hook it up to one of the channels. If it's 4 ohms, you can bridge the two channels together to power the sub. Check out How to bridge a car amplifier for more information.
Anish Mirza
Posted on 6/10/2019I have purchased 2 subwoofer. Polk audio Db1242 dvc dB+ series, 370 watt rms, 1110 watt 4 ohm. Now I am confused about amplifier. I wanna buy one amplifier for both subwoofer. What amplifier required for best effects? Please guide me. I means two channel amplifier or 4 channel? How many watts? Please help me out.
Buck Pomerantz from Crutchfield on 6/11/2019 Anish, Two DVC 4-ohm subs rated for 370 watts RMS each, 740 watts total, will work best with an amplifier that can put out between 555 and 1110 wats RMS at 4 ohms or one ohm. There are almost no benefits in using a 2-channel amp to drive a subwoofer system. Most 2-channel amps can't drive loads lower than 4 ohms when bridged, and don't have enough power to drive 2 subs. Mono, 1-channel amps are more powerful and are designed to work with a wider range of impedances, and have tone controls and filters specifically made to help reproduce bass.
Mike mena from Vallejo CA
Posted on 6/7/2019Hello, I have a skar audio Sv2 mono amplifier 1500 watt rms stable at 1ohm. I also really want that chest pounding feeling. Is a skar audio 12' dual zvx 1 ohm subwoofer stronger than a 12' zvx dual 2ohm subwoofer? Or would a 15' subwoofer be better?
Buck Pomerantz from Crutchfield on 6/7/2019 Mike, In order to optimize your amp's output, get the DVC 2-ohm model and wire it to the amp like this diagram.
tj from Nashville
Posted on 5/27/2019what is a bridged wire
Buck Pomerantz from Crutchfield on 5/28/2019 TJ, The wires color-coded as bridged wires are neither positive nor negative leads, but connect different terminals together for the various wiring solutions.TJ, The wires color-coded as bridged wires are neither positive nor negative leads, but connect different terminals together for the various wiring solutions.
Al from Vista
Posted on 5/24/2019Hi I have a Sundown Audio X-15 D4 15" Dual 4-Ohm 1250W RMS Subwoofer and 2 car audio Bargain 1600.1 can I strap this 2 amp with this sub. Thanks.
Buck Pomerantz from Crutchfield on 5/28/2019 Al, I don't think those amps can get strapped together to power a sub. One of those amps will power that sub just fine.
Gus Varelis from Chesterfield
Posted on 5/22/2019What rms power will a crossfire cfa602 amp put out with one JL Audio 12W6 dvc 6 ohm sub wired in parallel with a 3 ohm load? The sub is the old school, continuous rms power is 300 w. The amp puts out 150x2 rms in stereo I believe in 4 ohm's.
Buck Pomerantz from Crutchfield on 5/24/2019 Gus, That amplifier probably won't work at all with a 3-ohm load when bridged.
Jared Churchwell from Maumelle
Posted on 5/20/2019Hey there. I have two Skar ddx 2 ohm 12s how do I hook these up to a RP-1200.1D mono 1 ohm amp
Buck Pomerantz from Crutchfield on 5/20/2019 Jared, The only safe way to wire that gear together is like this diagram.
Gardy faustin from Brooklyn
Posted on 5/12/2019Hello . I have 4 Jl w7s 12 subs 3 ohm each ( SVC ) . Im going to wire them to a 1 ohm amplifier RMS 5 k Orion . Im going to wire the speakers parallel . What is your suggestion on wiring ? Is it safe to hook them to a 1 ohm load.. I know they will drop to 0.75 . Thanks.
Buck Pomerantz from Crutchfield on 5/13/2019 Gardy, That amplifier will not handle a 0.75-ohm load. I think you should wire that gear together like this diagram (substituting 3s for the 2s in the diagram). That way the amp can put out about 2860 watts RMS, 715 watts to each sub. If that's not loud enough for you, you'll have to get a larger amp.
Andre smith from Albany, ny
Posted on 5/11/2019I have one 2ohm dvc Comp RT and one kicker mono 600.1 amp. Any way to wire to get most sound?
Buck Pomerantz from Crutchfield on 5/13/2019 Andre, The only safe way to wire that gear together is like this diagram.
rico from union
Posted on 5/11/2019buck, thanks for the reply. can you refer back to my question on 5/7....would this connection be a parallel or a series?
Buck Pomerantz from Crutchfield on 5/12/2019 Rico, In the setup this diagram displays, each sub's voice coils are wired together in series while the two subwoofers are wired together in parallel.
Steve from longbeach
Posted on 5/10/2019I have 2 dual 4 ohm subs but my amp is only good for 2 ohm. Can I only hook up 1 coil from each sub?
Buck Pomerantz from Crutchfield on 5/10/2019 Steve, You should use all the coils your subs have. When you only wire one of a dual voice coil sub's coils, you split its power-handling ability in half, threatening to burn the sub out, and increase its distortion, because the sub has to push around the dead weight of the disconnected coil. All car amplifier will work with a 4-ohm load - wire it like this diagram.
Rico from Union
Posted on 5/7/2019I have the jl xd1000 v2, with two jl 12w6v2 d4. What's the proper way to wire?
Buck Pomerantz from Crutchfield on 5/8/2019 Rico, The only safe way to wire that gear together is like this diagram.
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