Nonlinear　energy　sink　(NES)　can　passively　absorb　broadband　energy　from　primary　oscillators.　Proper　multiple　NESs　connected　in　parallel　exhibit　superior　performance　to　single-degree-of-freedom　(SDOF)　NESs.　In　this　work,　a　linear　coupling　spring　is　installed　between　two　parallel　NESs　so　as　to　expand　the　application　scope　of　such　vibration　absorbers.　The　vibration　absorption　of　the　parallel　and　parallel-coupled　NESs　and　the　system　response　induced　by　the　coupling　spring　are　studied.　The　results　show　that　the　responses　of　the　system　exhibit　a　significant　difference　when　the　heavier　cubic　oscillators　in　the　NESs　have　lower　stiffness　and　the　lighter　cubic　oscillators　have　higher　stiffness.　Moreover,　the　e　+/-　ciency　of　the　parallel-coupled　NES　is　higher　for　medium　shocks　but　lower　for　small　and　large　shocks　than　that　of　the　parallel　NESs.　The　parallel-coupled　NES　also　shows　superior　performance　for　medium　harmonic　excitations　until　higher　response　branches　are　induced.　The　performance　of　the　parallel-coupled　NES　and　the　SDOF　NES　is　compared.　It　is　found　that,　regardless　of　the　chosen　SDOF　NES　parameters,　the　performance　of　the　parallel-coupled　NES　is　similar　or　superior　to　that　of　the　SDOF　NES　in　the　entire　force　range.