Items Needed:
- Pair of stereo speakers
- Speaker wire (typically sold by the foot or meter)
- Amplifier or receiver with speaker terminals
- Wire strippers
Instructions:
1. Turn Off Power: Before starting, ensure that the amplifier or receiver is powered off and disconnected from the power outlet.
2. Identify Speaker Terminals:
Locate the speaker terminals on the back of your amplifier or receiver. These terminals are usually labeled with symbols like "+" and "-" or "L" (left) and "R" (right).
3. Strip Speaker Wire Ends:
Strip about 1/2 inch (1.3 cm) of insulation from both ends of the speaker wire. Ensure that the exposed wire ends are clean and straight.
4. Connect Speaker Wire:
- Connect one end of the speaker wire to the positive (+) terminal on the amplifier or receiver.
- Connect the other end of the same speaker wire to the positive (+) terminal on one of the speakers.
- Repeat this process for the negative (-) terminals, connecting one side to the negative terminal on the amplifier or receiver and the other side to the negative terminal on the same speaker.
5. Connect Second Speaker:
- Using another length of speaker wire, connect the amplifier's "R" terminals to the positive and negative terminals on the second speaker, following the same procedure as mentioned above.
6. Check Polarity:
- Make sure that the positive terminals on the amplifier/receiver are connected to the positive terminals on the speakers, and the negative terminals are connected to the negative terminals. Incorrect polarity can result in poor sound quality.
7. Secure Wire Connections:
- Tighten the screws on the speaker terminals to ensure secure connections.
8. Turn On Power:
- Once all connections are made, you can turn on the amplifier or receiver.
When your stereo system is set up and wired correctly, the sound should play clearly through both speakers. If you encounter any issues with sound quality, double-check your connections and ensure that you have followed the wiring instructions accurately.