2 sets of hookups

polk_audio_lsi

Hey this is probably a stupid question but, I have Monitor 40's and they have 2 sets of hookups in the back. I'm wondering really why there are 2 sets of hookups and what the purpose of 2 hookups are, and how do I hook them up?

george daniel

You have the option of bi-wiring or bi-amping the speakers,My lsi's are bi-wired,that means that on the speaker end of the speaker cable,there are two positive and two negative connectors,in my case,bananas,hope this helps:)

Frank Z

http://www.polkaudio.com/downloads/manuals/home/Monitor_Manual.pdf


Look at page 3

polk_audio_lsi

Hey Frank I'm not very good at looking at those diagrams I have a hard time understanding them could you just tell me how I do them on the back of the speaker?

Frank Z

Your speakers can be bi-wired, bi-amped, or hooked up conventionaly

Bi-Amp means using a one amp for the top terminals and one for the bottom.

Bi-wire means you split the signal coming out of the amp and send it to the top and bottom terminals

***Note***
When biamping or biwiring you must remove the jumper between the upper and lower posts.

Conventional hook up is when you leave the jumper in place and connect your speaker wire to either the top or the bottom terminals.

polk_audio_lsi

OK thank you Frank for clearing it up a little bit more for me. I would have to bi-wire mine cause the processor I'm getting doesn't have a built in amplifier. So that being said, would I have to buy some kind of a splitter? Because I've actually never seen a splitter for speakers. I don't know where I would buy one at. And when you bi-wire your speakers does it improve or make a difference at all in the sound? Because when everything is all said and done, I won't have my Monitor 40's anymore, I'll have LSi FX which I think might just have 1 set of terminals.

polk_audio_lsi

Hey Frank I just looked at the LSi FX surround's and they have 2 sets of terminals. So does it improve the sound quality, because I'll have 14 guage wire hooked up to them. And should I use banana connectors with my 14 guage wire, because I've heard that using connectors picks up better clarity?

Frank Z

Your mixing up your apples and oranges.
By processor I'm assuming you mean pre-amp. If that is the case then you'll also be buying an amplifier...correct?

You do not have to biwire any speaker, and whether or not it makes a difference is going to be up to your ears. I didn't hear any difference at all.

You can build your own bi-wire cables or you can buy them pre-made. Use the search function and you'll find a lot of threads on the subject.

Banana Jacks are handy if you are going to be disconnecting your speakers often. If that isn't the case, don't wate your money. Adding more stuff to the signal path just adds more potential problems.

Keep it simple, there's no need to add more than the basics at this point. Don't get all wraped up in bi-wire/bi-amp options until you've had a chance to listen to the system using tried and true connections.

Don't forget to pick up an SPL Meter and calibrate your system properly.
http://www.audiophilia.com/hardware/spl.htm

Willow

you would be better off using a single run and replacing the stock jumpers.

polk_audio_lsi

replacing the stock jumpers? With what? Is that the metal pieces between the 2 sets of terminals? And what would I replace those with? And where could I get them at?

Frank Z

A short piece of wire.

Again, use the search feature and you'll find alot of threads on the subject. Try the word "Jumpers."

polk_audio_lsi

Hey just a quick question....um if you replace the stock jumpers which I'm guessing is that metal piece between the 2 sets of terminals, what does that do for sound quality?

Frank Z

Some people say that replacing the jumper with wire sounds better than leaving the jumper in. The only way to know if it sounds better to you is to try it both ways.

MrNightly

Man... I sure wish he could finish ONE thread that our boy started... Leaving me hanging like this is just plain rude

"Gotta love the search feature." <--- Thinking of using this as my new sig. HA HA HA.