+ & - speaker pole ??

coronaguy
coronaguy Posts: 5
edited December 2005 in Basic Hookup/Wiring Questions
How can I tell if I have the speaker wires connected to the proper pole on the speaker? Wire snakes thru the house and I can't tell for sure if the wire is marked properly. Can I use an electrical tester somehow?
Post edited by coronaguy on
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  • bobman1235
    bobman1235 Posts: 10,822
    edited December 2005
    Usually the wire itself has some kind of marking to indicate the negative side.

    Any kind of phase check (like on THX DVDs) would pretty much tell you right off.
    If you will it, dude, it is no dream.
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  • McLoki
    McLoki Posts: 5,231
    edited December 2005
    There may be ridges formed into one side of the speaker wire, writing may be on one side of the speaker wire, or it could be a different color. Just make sure that the side with writing (or ridges or color) is plugged into the pos. (or neg) side on both your AVR and speaker.

    Yes, you can do a continuity test, but you would have to be able to connect to both ends, and I am guessing that would be difficult at best....

    Michael
    Mains.............Polk LSi15 (Cherry)
    Center............Polk LSiC (Crossover upgraded)
    Surrounds.......Polk LSi7 (Gloss Black - wood sides removed and crossovers upgraded)
    Subwoofers.....SVS 25-31 CS+ and PC+ (both 20hz tune)
    Pre\Pro...........NAD T163 (Modded with LM4562 opamps)
    Amplifier.........Cinepro 3k6 (6-channel, 500wpc@4ohms)
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited December 2005
    As stated above look for special markings, or small ridges on the insulator on one side. If both conductors are identical, use an ohm meter to find continuity, then mark with tape for future reference...
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • coronaguy
    coronaguy Posts: 5
    edited December 2005
    Thanks for the response. I have determined that they are wired properly
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  • Fallen Kell
    Fallen Kell Posts: 94
    edited December 2005
    :) That is good to hear. I was basically just going to say wire one side to a 9V battery and then use a digital volt meter from the Rat Shack to determine the +/- sides... Only costs about $10
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