Speaker wire + and -

peekobi
peekobi Posts: 58
edited January 2011 in Basic Hookup/Wiring Questions
Pay close attention to speaker wiring polarity. In other
words, connect positive (+) terminals only to positive
(+) terminals, and negative (–) terminals only to negative
(–) terminals. If you get them the wrong way
around, the sound will be out of phase and will sound
unnatural.

IS THERE AN EASY WAY TO TELL THE + FROM THE - ? Is the wire marked somehow? I'm using 16G Monster wire but I cannot tell + from -

Thanks
Reciever Onkyo TX-SR708

Center - polkaudio CS245I
Mains -- polkaudio RT600I's
Sides -- polkaudio RT35's
Rears -- polkaudio RT25I's
Sub ---- polkaudio PSW-350

TV: Panasonic TC-P50GT30 HDTV
Blu-Ray Player Panasonic DMP-BDT215

Common sense ain't that common!:loneranger:
Post edited by peekobi on
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Comments

  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,717
    edited January 2011
    If this is the clear jacketed type wire there is no real positive or negative. What you will find is one side marked in some way, such as a white strip or a raised ridge running the length. Pick one side as positive and make sure you wire up everything the same way.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

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  • txcoastal1
    txcoastal1 Posts: 13,313
    edited January 2011
    If its not blk/red...copper/silver....then there will be a ridge on one of the conductors when you split it just hook up the same ++...-- on each end
    2-channel: Modwright KWI-200 Integrated, Dynaudio C1-II Signatures
    Desktop rig: LSi7, Polk 110sub, Dayens Ampino amp, W4S DAC/pre, Sonos, JRiver
    Gear on standby: Melody 101 tube pre, Unison Research Simply Italy Integrated
    Gone to new homes: (Matt Polk's)Threshold Stasis SA12e monoblocks, Pass XA30.5 amp, Usher MD2 speakers, Dynaudio C4 platinum speakers, Modwright LS100 (voltz), Simaudio 780D DAC

    erat interfectorem cesar et **** dictatorem dicere a
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  • txcoastal1
    txcoastal1 Posts: 13,313
    edited January 2011
    F1nut wrote: »
    If this is the clear jacketed type wire there is no real positive or negative. What you will find is one side marked in some way, such as a white strip or a raised ridge running the length. Pick one side as positive and make sure you wire up everything the same way.

    you beat me to it
    2-channel: Modwright KWI-200 Integrated, Dynaudio C1-II Signatures
    Desktop rig: LSi7, Polk 110sub, Dayens Ampino amp, W4S DAC/pre, Sonos, JRiver
    Gear on standby: Melody 101 tube pre, Unison Research Simply Italy Integrated
    Gone to new homes: (Matt Polk's)Threshold Stasis SA12e monoblocks, Pass XA30.5 amp, Usher MD2 speakers, Dynaudio C4 platinum speakers, Modwright LS100 (voltz), Simaudio 780D DAC

    erat interfectorem cesar et **** dictatorem dicere a
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  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 19,179
    edited January 2011
    Jesse, I think the type he is talking about has one side that looks like copper wire or a copper tinted clear jacket and the other side has a metal (silver tint) look. Peekobi, just pick one for positive and the other for negative and keep it consistent throughout the entire rig.
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
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  • peekobi
    peekobi Posts: 58
    edited January 2011
    will do. Its hard to tell the silver tint from the copper tint. I did notice a white stripe on one set. Thanks
    Reciever Onkyo TX-SR708

    Center - polkaudio CS245I
    Mains -- polkaudio RT600I's
    Sides -- polkaudio RT35's
    Rears -- polkaudio RT25I's
    Sub ---- polkaudio PSW-350

    TV: Panasonic TC-P50GT30 HDTV
    Blu-Ray Player Panasonic DMP-BDT215

    Common sense ain't that common!:loneranger:
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  • halo71
    halo71 Posts: 4,604
    edited January 2011
    Got a multi-meter?
    --Gary--
    Onkyo Integra M504, Bottlehead Foreplay III, Denon SACD, Thiel CS2.3, NHT VT-2, VT-3 and Evolution T6, Infinity RSIIIa, SDA1C and a few dozen other speakers around the house I change in and out.
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  • peekobi
    peekobi Posts: 58
    edited January 2011
    I have a Radio Shack sound level meter. Is that what you mean?
    Reciever Onkyo TX-SR708

    Center - polkaudio CS245I
    Mains -- polkaudio RT600I's
    Sides -- polkaudio RT35's
    Rears -- polkaudio RT25I's
    Sub ---- polkaudio PSW-350

    TV: Panasonic TC-P50GT30 HDTV
    Blu-Ray Player Panasonic DMP-BDT215

    Common sense ain't that common!:loneranger:
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