A good speaker arrangement is essential to achieve a remarkable sound system. Regardless of whether you want to build a home theater or just want to have a good place to listen to some music, the cable problem is inevitable. Here's what to keep in mind when placing and connecting speakers.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Part 1: Positioning the Stereo Speakers
Step 1. Determine the listening room
By this we mean for example a sofa or your favorite chair.
Step 2. Put your chair in a good position
The ideal listening area is halfway between the two side walls and at least half a meter behind the center of the room.
Avoid placing the listening area immediately behind the rear wall. Walls, as flat surfaces, tend to attenuate the sound before reflecting it. So you will get a better effect by leaving some free space between the listening area and the rear wall
Step 3. Hang thick, rough fabric on the wall behind the listening area
This is to rectify the distortion of the sound being reflected.
Step 4. Face the speakers towards the listening area so that they form sixty degree angles
To obtain the best possible sound quality it is recommended to place the speakers at least thirty centimeters from the rear wall and at least sixty centimeters from the side walls.
Step 5. Make sure the speakers and listening area are equidistant from each other
This means that the distance between the three parts must be the same, in order to form a perfect equilateral triangle.
Method 2 of 3: Part: Choosing the Speaker Cables
Step 1. Use a measuring tape to measure the distance between the amplifier and the speakers
This is to determine how much cable is needed to complete the job.
Step 2. If the speakers and the amplifier are in the same room it is sufficient to use cheap cables that have a diameter of 1, 3 mm
For longer distances, thicker cables are needed as the electrical dispersion is greater. If the distance is between 24 and 61 meters, cables with a diameter of 1.6 mm must be used. For longer distances it is necessary to use 2 mm cables.
The 2mm cables can still be used, even if the distance between the amplifier and the speakers is not that great. Some audiophiles are quick to swear that the higher cost is fully justified by the higher sound quality and longer durability
Step 3. Buy the amount of cable you need
It is not bad to buy a few more, since you never know when and if it will be necessary to stretch them.
Method 3 of 3: Part 3: Connecting the Stereo Speakers to the Amplifier
Step 1. Make sure all components are disconnected
No signal must propagate inside the components as you proceed with the speaker connection.
Step 2. Prepare the cables for connection
Examine the cables and take note of the differences in the coloring of the two parts they are made of. For example, it is possible that one part of the cable is red while the other is black.
Step 3. Divide the cable in half by a few centimeters
Then use a wire stripper or scissors to remove the insulation covering around the first few inches of each part of the cable. This way the cable will be exposed at each of the two ends.
During this phase it is necessary to keep the two ends separate and bend them to form a Y. Twist the metal part on itself at the end of each part so as to facilitate subsequent insertion
Step 4. Determine how you should connect the cables to the speakers
Many of them have a row of connectors on the back to which the cables connect. These connections should also be found on the back of the amplifier:
Step 5. Insert the cables into the corresponding sockets
- Look for the letters "L" and "R" which indicate the left and right speakers respectively. Connect the speaker to the right of the system with the socket marked "R" on the back of the amplifier. The same goes for the left speaker and the letter "L".
- Take advantage of the fact that the bindings have their own distinctive color and make sure the polarity (positive or negative charge) is consistent throughout the system. It doesn't matter which end of the cable you use for black or red; the important thing is to stay consistent.
Step 6. Secure the cables in place
Typically there are special colored devices on the outside of each attachment.
Before switching on the system, make sure that each cable is fixed to sockets of the same color (red-red or black-black). Any errors in connecting the cables can ruin the various devices. An example of a fully wired system is the following:
Step 7. Hide the cables in some way or tape them to the floor
This is to prevent you from accidentally tripping over cables and pulling them away from their mounts.
Advice
- Some prepackaged audio systems use proprietary connectors that are supplied with the speakers at the time of purchase. In this case, use only the same type of cables.
- If it is necessary to run cables through the walls or the ceiling, use those certified UL and labeled CL2 or CL3.
- Before connecting your speakers, always check the manufacturer's documentation to find out if there are any special requirements to be met.
- To reduce the visual impact, flat cables can be used that can be painted, especially if you do not need to run them through the walls.
- If you need to install underground cables in the open, you must use those specific to the situation.
