POSITIVE VS NEGATIVE: Does Speaker Wiring Matter?

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  • เผยแพร่เมื่อ 3 ส.ค. 2024
  • Does Speaker Polarity Matter? How Does Speaker Wiring Affect Sound Quality? Can speakers be damaged if you wire the positive and negative backwards? In this video, you'll learn what speaker polarity is and how it affects sound quality.
    Full Post (Audio University Website): audiouniversityonline.com/spe...
    Need help setting up your speaker system? Check out these free resources I've created for you...
    Speaker Placement Guide: audiouniversityonline.com/spe...
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    0:00 - Intro
    0:06 - What is speaker polarity?
    1:26 - How does polarity relate to a speaker?
    2:12 - How does speaker polarity affect sound quality?
    These speaker testers will not only allow you to test speaker polarity, but they also have signal generators to test that a speaker produces sound:
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ความคิดเห็น • 834

  • @AudioUniversity
    @AudioUniversity  3 ปีที่แล้ว +17

    Need help setting up your speaker system? Check out these free resources I've created for you...
    Speaker Placement Guide: audiouniversityonline.com/speaker-placement-guide/
    Speaker Specs Guide: audiouniversityonline.com/speaker-specs-guide/

    • @davidgomez5116
      @davidgomez5116 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Very nice quality video thx audio university

    • @ITALJUTE
      @ITALJUTE 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Thank you. I learned something.

    • @AudioUniversity
      @AudioUniversity  2 ปีที่แล้ว

      Glad to hear that, Italjute! Thanks!

    • @gustavmeyrink_2.0
      @gustavmeyrink_2.0 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      Note that classic JBL and Tannoy drivers were built so that if wired CORRECTLY and faced with a positive voltage the cone would retract rather than push outward.

    • @achalbhoir1359
      @achalbhoir1359 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      Hi, I'm using 3'rd speaker in standard stereo speakers with common ground/negative pin
      I added 3'rd speaker between both positive wires of 2 speakers and it's provides surround sound for stereo songs, problem is some songs have badly editing creates noises in that 3rd speaker
      Would you like to try making video on this?
      Also if your amplifier has bridge configuration (no common ground for speaker or floating) then you can connect 4 speakers 2 as surround sound speakers

  • @sailr8
    @sailr8 2 ปีที่แล้ว +11

    I have spent a hour trying to find out how to find the pos and neg post on speakers. My new speakers came with no papers. Thank you.

    • @robertspringer9477
      @robertspringer9477 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      sailr8, did you buy those speakers from a guy with a white van on a street corner?

    • @DougMen1
      @DougMen1 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      The inputs on the speakers aren't color coded red and black? Almost all speakers and amps are, with red being positive and black being negative

    • @robertspringer9477
      @robertspringer9477 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      It doesn't matter which post is which as long as you match amp to speaker on both left and right channels, you will be fine.

    • @natanpierce495
      @natanpierce495 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      Me to. Here is what I posted: Here is a question I have: I have two older vintage ADS speakers and the back terminals have neither positive or negative (red nor black) indicators. How do I know which to connect my speaker wires too?

    • @DiamondDog_
      @DiamondDog_ 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      @@natanpierce495 the larger connector pin is positive and the small one is negative.

  • @AsBaile
    @AsBaile 2 ปีที่แล้ว +30

    I did this some years go. I had a six-speaker setup: two in front, two in back and two speakers on top of each other in a corner facing the wall. For the corner speaker sets, I inverted the top speaker and the bottom one was wired normally. It really enhanced the overall audio experience, especially in low range frequencies. If you ever try this, the perfect song that bring this out is "Revolution Earth" by The B-52's. Part of the song is played out of phase and the corner speakers, with one wired out-of-phase, really makes that part of the song burst out. It is quite remarkable.

    • @BlueRice
      @BlueRice 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      audiophile comes in different flavor - not just about how high quality sound is. i used to mess with speaker set up too. i would face certain speaker against the wall and others direct to me. the sound that scatter or bounce from the wall sound remarkable and different almost like its own full phased sounds stage on its own. this was during that time where 5.1 channel was new to consumer. people think i was into something that doesnt make the sounds sound any better. just like i like downward firing sub woofer. now you see a lot of audiophile who would mess with speaker setup the way we do. just like dolby atmos, those speaker have a upward firing to the ceiling.
      i even used search for song that had only instrument and vocal separately. play one side of the room vocal and other side instrument. it sounded really good.

  • @dennisjoiner4164
    @dennisjoiner4164 2 ปีที่แล้ว +20

    Hello Kyle. Your posts are very professional and helpful. I also appreciate that you have calm, understated intro instead of a crash/bang/boom one. Many thanks from a subscriber.

    • @AudioUniversity
      @AudioUniversity  2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Thanks, Dennis! I’m glad you’re enjoying the videos.

    • @user-xm6jq8jc6y
      @user-xm6jq8jc6y 6 หลายเดือนก่อน

      ​@@AudioUniversityI have two 6.5 speakers in the back of my car, how do I wire them to my amp if I want both of them on one channel? I only use them for mids and highs, no bass. I have another amp for my bass

  • @webappzservices7749
    @webappzservices7749 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Simple, straight-forward and precise! ... your videos are always useful Kyle. Thank you.

  • @fullwaverecked
    @fullwaverecked 2 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Cool videos & coherent explanation. This reminds me of the time I pulled the carry handle off my Fender Sound Enhancement speaker (16") and, to my amazement, discovered that all the sound was coming out of the back ass end of the speaker itself. Blew my mind! Cheers!

    • @allthegearnoidea6752
      @allthegearnoidea6752 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      It’s great to see young guys interest in electronics and physics. It’s a fantastically well presented video

  • @godfreydaniel6278
    @godfreydaniel6278 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Many years ago an audio technician gave me what was a revolutionary clue - adding a third speaker to a stereo pair - wired from the positive output terminal of each, and placed behind the listener, in direct opposition to the stereo pair - created a third channel which reproduced everything in the source material that was recorded out of phase (and would otherwise be unheard), resulting in a VERY three-dimensional audio experience. I loved it and it usually blew friends and guests away. Worked best in a room longer than wide. Did my set-ups that way for years...

    • @pterafirma
      @pterafirma 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      Klipsch Heresy was originally developed as a center channel speaker to use between a pair of Klipsch Cornwalls.

  • @cindycooper1197
    @cindycooper1197 2 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge. Because of your video I was able to figure out the positive vs negative on my subwoofer. I've been asking and asking these guys for help and I just got tired of waiting. Now I can figure this out without anybody's help. Thanks again I sure do appreciate it ;-) take care

    • @Pocokcic
      @Pocokcic 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      Hi Cindy, it is very simple. Red is positive and black is negative.
      Mostly speaker cables are these colours
      Or if the plastic is not colour coded then there is other method. In my car one wire is copper and the other is aluminium, tha plastic is transparent. In my car copper wire is the positive and aluminum is the negative.

  • @paulmarian5570
    @paulmarian5570 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    Very complete video about my old question, and i loved it, cause it was more informative than i was thinking, so, that will be a big like and a subscribe to your channel! Good job!

  • @VE3RKP
    @VE3RKP 2 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    I had a problem on stage where we had two floor monitors for the lead vocalist. She called me up and said something sounds strange. We ended up removing one of the floor monitors from the stage to continue the show. When I investigated the two monitors at home, I found one of them to have reversed polarity soldered that way from the factory ! I fixed the connection and on the next show the problem was solved.

  • @glasslinger
    @glasslinger 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Note that your position in the room with respect to the two speakers will determine which polarity is "correct," and that will be only for a small range of frequencies. For higher frequencies even changing the position of your head can noticeably affect how the sound is perceived.

  • @VintageLuxmanStereoCollector
    @VintageLuxmanStereoCollector 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    I knew what to do and check for but I never knew why. Now I do and am grateful for another one of your excellent presentations👍👍

  • @TheCandoheavy
    @TheCandoheavy 2 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    Thank you very much, really good lesson, loved the battery trick explanation.

  • @ErichNolanBertussi
    @ErichNolanBertussi 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    well put slim. concise yet informative without missing detail.

  • @jonthebru
    @jonthebru 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    While working as a DJ in the 70s the engineer installed a new turntable and somehow switched the polarity of one of the audio lines. The result was easily heard with the early stereo mixes, examples of which would be early Beatles recordings. The vocals were cancelled out, they could still be heard but weren't up to a true stereo sound. The issue went through the board to the transmitter to the listeners radio! As soon as it was mentioned to the engineer he knew exactly what had happened and fixed it.

  • @tancredorodrigues2246
    @tancredorodrigues2246 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Sou brasileiro e achei agora seu canal! Esta de parabens!

  • @martinb.770
    @martinb.770 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Where it gets really interesting: A sound path, that adds up to a mono signal, where the stereo won't give an average, but extinguish each other, especially if the stereo effect is not too distinct.
    When broadcasting FM/UKW, this is always done, and while music might sound somewhat weird, the mono voice of a speaker will pretty much become unhearable on mono receivers, if the phase of one channel has been connected incorrect along the signal path.

  • @markdouglas8073
    @markdouglas8073 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    And they say you can’t teach an old dog new tricks. You just taught me one. Subscribed.

  • @hellmaker76
    @hellmaker76 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Love it.. professional explaination by simple method. Thank you Sir

  • @patriktakacs
    @patriktakacs 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    Great, on the point, informative! Love it! Thanks!

    • @AudioUniversity
      @AudioUniversity  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Thanks, Patrik! I'm glad you enjoyed the video!

  • @anthonyvee
    @anthonyvee 2 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Kyle you're a good man! Thank you for the explanations in your videos. Quite good!

    • @AudioUniversity
      @AudioUniversity  2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Thanks, Anthony! Glad you like them!

  • @maxcorrea9334
    @maxcorrea9334 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    great video, extremely clear instructions, thanks!!

    • @AudioUniversity
      @AudioUniversity  4 ปีที่แล้ว

      Thanks for watching, Max! I'm glad it was helpful!

  • @sk22ng
    @sk22ng 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    As a fellow audiophile I have known this for at least 40 years since reading about it in a magazine called Stereo Review back in the day.

  • @juanchis.investigadorsonoro
    @juanchis.investigadorsonoro 4 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Great video! I'll be using this with my students. Greetings from Mexico City

    • @AudioUniversity
      @AudioUniversity  4 ปีที่แล้ว

      Glad to help, Juan! If you have any requests for future videos, let me know! Thanks for watching.

  • @JDPlay25
    @JDPlay25 3 ปีที่แล้ว +12

    that's why my car speaker sound ugly, then when i fix it, Thanks to this video, my speaker sound perfect. the sound is clear and the bass, damn it feels good

  • @mrsandroks
    @mrsandroks 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    I only could get it from this video from a couple of videos I have watched. I'm totally subscribed. Thanks.

    • @AudioUniversity
      @AudioUniversity  3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Thanks! I’m glad you found what you were looking for!

  • @shanmuganandam674
    @shanmuganandam674 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Great video. You have cleared my doubts. Thanks a lot. Keep doing pls

    • @AudioUniversity
      @AudioUniversity  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Thanks! I’ll keep making videos for you! I’m glad to help!

  • @4ual1musiccover
    @4ual1musiccover 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Thanks Kyle! Very informative and well-explained! Keep it up!

    • @AudioUniversity
      @AudioUniversity  2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching!

  • @allthegearnoidea6752
    @allthegearnoidea6752 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    I’m into restoring vintage radios and test gear on my channel but I don’t know that much about the audio world. I am hoping to build a valve amplifier this year and learn a bit more about amplifiers and performance. Your videos are a great introduction thanks.

  • @theylive23
    @theylive23 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Ambient pioneer Brian Eno used to recommend using a third speaker in your system in addition to the normal left/right set-up, wired with both cables to the left and right postiive terminals of your amplifier. This produces an out-of-phase effect which may enhance your ambient listening pleasure and which, in my experience, doesn't seem to harm your amplifier.

  • @richardstamper5630
    @richardstamper5630 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Clear and concise - thanks for that..

  • @warrenschultz2735
    @warrenschultz2735 3 ปีที่แล้ว +26

    Well that is the best video I have ever seen describing sound waves from a speaker and polarity...good job

    • @x-man5056
      @x-man5056 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Me too but I've only seen this one.

    • @2coolentertainment
      @2coolentertainment 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@x-man5056 lol

  • @smtek
    @smtek 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Nice content bro!
    Now I know how I was able to talk without shouting in front of the festival's subwoofer array hahaha

  • @ASHWACREATIONS
    @ASHWACREATIONS 3 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    This is called proper education. Thanks bro

  • @robertokenneth9821
    @robertokenneth9821 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Nice job. I immediately checked my speaker connections!

  • @lm8098
    @lm8098 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Great yet simplified explanation of the topic, great video, thanks for sharing it!!

  • @neilm2033
    @neilm2033 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Thank you for concise, informative video.

    • @AudioUniversity
      @AudioUniversity  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching, Neil!

  • @JDMIVSTG
    @JDMIVSTG 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Thanks man! nice delivery keep it up

  • @anthonyscott16
    @anthonyscott16 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    This was really helpful. Thanks!

  • @TheArkBand
    @TheArkBand 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Thank you sooooooo very much brother , I was just going through the very same problem , thank you .

  • @sirgenear
    @sirgenear 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    I've used out-of-phase wiring in a small area, like an equipment cab, to bring out the stero separation. If one speaker has a weaker output, I use the in-phase wiring on that one to strengthen punch.

  • @raybin6873
    @raybin6873 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I recently provided PA system for a medium size outdoor event (~150 ppl) having 3 bands playing. I have Yamaha speakers - one pair 15" with horns mounted on poles on top of pair 18" sub woofers. I ran full range sound to the 15" /horn cabinets - used a Rane electronic crossover to send just lower frequencies to power amp driving the subs. I inadvertently hooked the subs speakers reversed polarity (power amp has banana plug type speaker connections making it easy to hook up speakers reversed).
    The system had a very "full" sound to it...I received many compliments from both the bands and audience. Not until I was done did I noticed the subs were wired reversed polarity. I was surprised in that I thought if speakers were incorrectly wired a risk of blowing out could result (I drove the system pretty hard/ loud.)
    Because it sounded so good I wonder if I could do it like this from now on?
    It had such a good overall sound.
    😁

    • @JamminClemmons
      @JamminClemmons 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      * *Ray Bin,* * That's a cool discovery.
      I have a JVC micro-component system in my mancave where the speakers are 4 ohms. If i wired two more of the same 4 ohm speakers to the original speakers, will I be over-powering the amp? Its a 20 amp.
      I'm confused by many wiring tutorials on TH-cam and sometimes they conflict eachother. This is a simple speaker add-on to fill my room so it sounds fuller. - Thanks in advance.

  • @Bart_Depestele
    @Bart_Depestele 4 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    great video amigo, thank you

  • @MrDuka42
    @MrDuka42 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Hey, love your way of teaching man! Knowledge is power!
    Btw do you have a link to the song you used as an example during the comparison between the two polarities?
    Edit: The one used at 2:50

    • @AudioUniversity
      @AudioUniversity  2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Thanks! I believe it came from the TH-cam Audio Library.

  • @alpyoruk
    @alpyoruk 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Lovely anybody can grasp it as smooth as it gets.

  • @migats2160
    @migats2160 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I did notice a difference when you switched the polarities by listening to the drums. If the punch starts with a push, the drums sound a little bit more punchy than when it pulls. It will give you the illusion of the sound exploding outwards rather than imploding inwards.

  • @whathahk
    @whathahk 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Great info! Was always a concern for me! Thanks!

  • @davecox1588
    @davecox1588 11 หลายเดือนก่อน

    I thoroughly enjoyed this presentation. Ultra professional. My Heat Light and Sound physics professor could learn from the clarity here !

  • @pnaubry
    @pnaubry 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Well done usual !

  • @MadDogGiraffe
    @MadDogGiraffe 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Echo, 😂. Love your video just amused on this one you have not sorted the room ethos. Keep up the great work.

  • @bamaslamma1003
    @bamaslamma1003 2 ปีที่แล้ว +22

    Most people don't know this. Lamp cord has ridges in the insulation on one of the conductors. That helps you remember which wire is the hot and neutral. Yes, I use lamp cord as speaker wire. If it can carry mains voltage (120v 60hz here in the USA) to a light bulb, it can carry audio signals to a speaker. After all, audio signals are electricity.

    • @willdwyer6782
      @willdwyer6782 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      When used as a power cord, the side with the ridges on the insulation is hot and the side without the ridges is neutral.

    • @kc4cvh
      @kc4cvh 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Low-voltage lighting wire is even better, it's just oversized lamp cord with 14 or 12-AWG stranded conductors. Removing the pretentiousness associated with "speaker cable" leads to big savings.

    • @bamaslamma1003
      @bamaslamma1003 2 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      @@kc4cvh All the "audiophiles" buying overpriced speaker wire are being robbed. I refuse to pay $100 for something I can get at the hardware store for 25 cents a foot. As the old saying goes, " a fool and his money are soon parted."

    • @JZStudiosonline
      @JZStudiosonline 2 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      Audio signals aren't electricity. They're tiny consecutive EMPs that get inhibited by non-uniform wire components on a molecular level. This is why OFC is so important, and also why you can *hear* the difference, but can't measure it when using silver cables with a perfect crystalline structure. It's lesser known, but the cables should also be free floating so the EMP isn't obstructed by walls or the floor.

    • @testthisfordecficiencies
      @testthisfordecficiencies 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      Lamp cord! Your that guy that irritates pros. Jokes aside, most speaker cable is colour coded, so one should never be using power cords.

  • @dev4
    @dev4 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Suscribed. very clear explanation and deep technical knowledge put simple. Thanks and keep it up!

    • @AudioUniversity
      @AudioUniversity  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Thanks for subscribing, Dev! I appreciate your comment, too! I'll keep creating videos for you. Are there any subjects you'd like me to cover in future videos?

    • @dev4
      @dev4 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@AudioUniversity I would like to see explained the effect on the resultant signal when you put in the same positive cable the left and the right of a stereo signal... Thank you!

    • @AudioUniversity
      @AudioUniversity  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      I think this post I wrote might be helpful: audiouniversityonline.com/polarity-vs-phase/
      Let me know if that helps! Thanks, Dev!

  • @jithinas7540
    @jithinas7540 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Finally i found the solutions, what i am searching for.
    Thank you sir

    • @AudioUniversity
      @AudioUniversity  3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Happy to help! Thanks for watching!

  • @1959chevy
    @1959chevy 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    I have a vintage Fisher X202B Amplifier that has a phase switch to compensate for this without changing the wiring. It can also play only the right channel out of both speakers or only the left out of both. it also has stereo reverse as well as a control to blend mono to full stereo. Wish newer equipment had all these features

  • @yingle6027
    @yingle6027 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Great video, I knew something wasn't quite right in my car!

  • @MooMetal60
    @MooMetal60 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Exactly what I needed!

    • @AudioUniversity
      @AudioUniversity  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      I'm glad the video was helpful to you, Alex Moore! Thanks for watching!

  • @derrick_builds
    @derrick_builds 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Dude, lets now see a video on quadraphonic setups from the 70s and using one of the 4 speakers phased reversed. Keep up the good work.

  • @amoeb81
    @amoeb81 ปีที่แล้ว

    Always bothered me :D and in single speaker setup it doesn't matter. However now I know, that in multiple setup it does matter a lot :D and it makes perfect sense. Thanks for the simple and straightforward video!

  • @warpspeed9877
    @warpspeed9877 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    I would like you to touch on this same subject but with regards of multi-driver speakers and the problems that a certain driver is wired incorectly. Thanks!

    • @AudioUniversity
      @AudioUniversity  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Good idea! It would have a very similar effect to the ceiling speaker scenario I mention in the video. Although, it would be more detrimental due to the proximity of the speakers in a single cabinet. Thanks for the suggestion!

  • @gumbilicious1
    @gumbilicious1 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    This is a hell of a rabbit hole to go down when you start dealing with multiple speaker setups and deal with effects like mutual coupling that have very complicated effects on sound. Great introduction though, that 9v is money for polarity or just doing a quick test of the speaker for operation

    • @echodelta9
      @echodelta9 2 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      I once ran sound in a club and a band came with 2 dual speaker wedge monitors. Everything was ready, I ran a pink noise test and did a walk-around on the stage and walking past the monitors I pointed out that the 3rd of 4 speakers was out of phase. He was surprised and said they just made them and were proud, how did I know? After a while but before showtime I saw them with a 9volt battery and they had that speaker out and reversed the wires. Now it's showtime.

    • @bryede
      @bryede 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Not to mention that we never have any idea of the number of phase reversals that occurred during the making of the recording, from the studio to mastering.

  • @gumpi5
    @gumpi5 2 ปีที่แล้ว +16

    03:47 wow, even with my low-quality computer speakers I'd noticed a really big difference. The bass is completely gone when only one speaker was "wired wrong"

    • @exponentmantissa5598
      @exponentmantissa5598 2 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      The quickest sanity check is point both speakers at each other. If bass suddenly disappears you will know they are wired oppositely.

    • @KB4QAA
      @KB4QAA 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      @@MyRackley I have some magic wood knobs I'd like to sell you for an outrageous price. It will make your stereo mind blowing. The silliness that passes for knowledge in the audio world is crazy.

    • @DingbatToast
      @DingbatToast 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@MyRackley I have done this in the past and it works great for significantly reducing volume while allowing the cones to move. Your neighbours will love you for it.

    • @FurtiveSkeptical
      @FurtiveSkeptical 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      Out of phase, each speaker is working to cancel each other out. The result is the impression of lower bass volume.

  • @bigloud7067
    @bigloud7067 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    thanks for the clear video man

    • @AudioUniversity
      @AudioUniversity  4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Thank you for watching, @Yeet! I’m glad it was helpful!

  • @MrTAdventures
    @MrTAdventures 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Thanks for that information. New subs here from Philippines.

  • @ignitingmindskerala6567
    @ignitingmindskerala6567 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    Great video, thank you bro

  • @hazlbri
    @hazlbri 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    GREAT VIDEO ! Many thanks. Only after installing a new door speaker in my car did I hear about polarity (not a word in the instructions). The wires have the same colour, so I'm wondering if I could discover the positive by connecting a 12v bulb to one of the wires and touching the other side of the bulb to earth/ground on the car bodywork?

    • @AudioUniversity
      @AudioUniversity  4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      I would not recommend using the car battery in any way for this test. Using a 9V or 1.5V (AA) battery should be sufficient and much safer!
      You might also consider the speaker tester listed in the description of this video. The 9V or 1.5V (AA) battery trick will test polarity of the wires, but the additional features of the speaker tester might be worth the investment if you plan to do more audio work in the future!
      Thanks for watching!

    • @AgentOffice
      @AgentOffice 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      No bulbs don't have polarity

  • @lakshmikpunugu4735
    @lakshmikpunugu4735 ปีที่แล้ว

    Fabulous info given by you sir...many thanks...your channel is a textbook of audio engineering...HIGHLY APPRECIATED..

  • @Zickcermacity
    @Zickcermacity 2 ปีที่แล้ว +16

    Excellent explanation Kyle!
    I would like some advice though, on how to stop people from using the term "phase" when referring to the wiring relationship between multiple speakers.
    Phase can have an infinite range of values. Polarity has only two: In or Out

    • @AudioUniversity
      @AudioUniversity  2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Thanks, @Zickermacity! I’ve attempted to show the difference in this video: th-cam.com/video/KRWhf_L_xYU/w-d-xo.html

    • @echodelta9
      @echodelta9 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      180 or 0 degrees. OK. Phase! Well there is some other phase shift but we wont get into that now. Phase OK.

    • @Zickcermacity
      @Zickcermacity 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@echodelta9 While the audible effect of phase shift and polarity are similar, they are not the same thing.
      Speakers can reside in two states of polarity: matching or opposite. No in-between.
      Phase itself can exist in an infinite range of values, as an effect in a studio or in a DAW.
      Using the correct terms in given circumstances is key to remedying any audio issues that crop up.

    • @Yoda8945
      @Yoda8945 2 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      Phase has a time element and polarity does not. If you reverse the polarity on a system, the phase is the same and if mixed electronically with the original signal the signal will cancel entirely. IOW the signal starts at the same time, but it is inverted.
      You can move a signal in time so that it will phase cancel the original sound, but only at one frequency. The other frequencies will be in varying amounts of phase difference and this causes comb filtering and the sound does not completely cancel.

    • @cars654
      @cars654 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      The term phase is important in multiple speaker systems. If you have a dance club with 20 to thirty speakers you want them connected properly or in phase for maximum sound pressure and minimum distortion. If you go into a club and hold an empty beer bottle in your hand close to the dance floor you should be able to feel air being pushed out of the empty bottle. That is how systems were designed in the 80s, not so much now. Phase simply means the speakers are pushing air in the same direction and not canceling each other out.

  • @bud_inc_2970
    @bud_inc_2970 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    Amazing video bro helped alot

  • @Shyamal_wijesinghe
    @Shyamal_wijesinghe 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Thanks a lot, ♥ Great video !!

  • @rectify2003
    @rectify2003 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Brilliant video
    Subscribed

  • @artysanmobile
    @artysanmobile 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Yes, polarity definitely matters. The hyper-real bass drum in much pop music is quite obviously different with a polarity change, with headphones or speakers. The words positive and negative are pretty abstract when talking about sound waves. Pressurization and rarification are more technically correct and more descriptive. A positive wave literally presses against not only your eardrums but, at a sufficient volume, your gut as well. Flip the polarity and the rarification by contrast feels and sounds wrong.
    Many professional monitor speakers have an exposed woofer which can be clearly seen to move toward the listener first with a bass drum playback. I always know my speakers are wired correctly, but I still do the visual check because there are many places the signal can be inadvertently reversed in the process of recording.

  • @billwegemann3274
    @billwegemann3274 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Fantastic review..!

    • @AudioUniversity
      @AudioUniversity  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Glad you liked it! Thanks for watching, Bill Wegemann!

  • @jasonblakeley3499
    @jasonblakeley3499 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Excellent presentation!

  • @nikkic36
    @nikkic36 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Years ago I saw at a trade show a speaker cab with 2 drivers facing each other 1 with normal polarity and the other with reverse polarity

  • @gbaker6478
    @gbaker6478 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    I knew most of this but not all, great job I look forward to studying your work. Loved the battery trick wish I knew that 30 years ago doing car stereos as it was more of thinking it sounded right instead of being 100% sure. I have a question which I'm hoping you can answer. I ran into a guy that said when hooking up car stereos, " as you hook up the wires, make the + wire shorter up to as much as half the length of the - wire, this will increase the frequency response of the speakers." Is that true? I think I wanted to believe it was true even though it didn't really make sense since the wires were only 10 feet long.

    • @AudioUniversity
      @AudioUniversity  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      I don’t understand how that would be true, Graham. Did he mention what the theory was based on?

    • @gbaker6478
      @gbaker6478 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@AudioUniversity the explanation was that as current flows from negative to positive you can speed up the current by shorting the positive wire. So it becomes a faster return of the signal. I can only describe this as ten miles to the store and only five miles home lol. He won a car stereo challenge 2 years in a row with that system, changed it and never even placed top ten. I'm just having trouble believing that it would make any difference in such a short distance.

    • @hafibeat834
      @hafibeat834 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Very simple: That guy was wrong. He did not understood the basics.

    • @FrozenSide
      @FrozenSide 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      He is correct, but his reason isn't. Every wire with a current running through it has inductance and also have capacitance with the the other speaker wire, and the inductance and capacitance will affect frequency response. How much it will affect it in that case? Probably very little and inaudible, so no need to think about it. Unless you use very long wires that run very close to each other, the difference is insignificant.

  •  2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Very useful! Excellent job!

  • @loubano
    @loubano ปีที่แล้ว

    Great video!!!! Thanks a lot !!!

  • @TeleCaster66
    @TeleCaster66 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    I used to reverse the polarity on vintage Fender amps, I was told by a good amp tech that they came out of phase and reversing put the amp where it should be.

  • @flaviozarza1735
    @flaviozarza1735 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Super clear concepts! Thanx!

  • @GeorgeGeorge-xj2bc
    @GeorgeGeorge-xj2bc 2 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    Many years ago i was working in car stereo installation shop.In the car environment the difference of speaker opposite polarity is very well audible because the bass of the sound is hugely degrated.One speaker moves its cone forward while the other moves backward,one pushes the air and the other pulls the same amound of air and the total amound of air pressure in near zero.To fix this is enough to reverse polarity of one speaker to bring speakers in phase,it has no matter how are they connected in the output polarity as long as they have the same polarity wiring.

  • @Kell_M
    @Kell_M 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    You would make an excellent teacher..
    Great video dude.. ;-)

  • @stefanolassandro886
    @stefanolassandro886 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    This is by far the best video about speakers polarity I could find. Excellent job!

  • @baddad6665
    @baddad6665 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Great Video! What is the "later video" you are referencing at 4:35? I'm not getting any sound out of my Bose Acoustimass Subwoofer and I suspect the satellites may be wired wrong, affecting how the sub module performs. Could an inverted polarity wiring be the possible cause of getting absolutely no sound at all from the sub? Or would I at least be hearing something? Trying to avoid dismantling the entire system for troubleshooting if there is something obvious I might be missing. Thanks!

    • @AudioUniversity
      @AudioUniversity  2 ปีที่แล้ว

      I haven’t created that video yet.
      Reversing the polarity of your wiring wouldn’t result in no sound at all. I suspect something else is going on.

  • @MArk-yn4sp
    @MArk-yn4sp 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Superb video; thank you.

  • @marguslehiste3763
    @marguslehiste3763 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    U learn something new every day , never paid atention on my speaker wiring , quess i have to go and check my wiring.

    • @thomasstambaugh5181
      @thomasstambaugh5181 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      Don't bother, this is snake oil. The +/- markings are for convenience in keeping the two sides of a stereo speaker configuration in phase. That's the only thing that matters.

  • @greg-zb4pc
    @greg-zb4pc ปีที่แล้ว

    Excellent description of the science in speaker performance

  • @S198K
    @S198K 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Superb information mate 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼😍thanks a lot will help me a lot.
    🇮🇳

    • @AudioUniversity
      @AudioUniversity  3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Thanks for watching, @shoaib khan! I’m glad you found the video helpful!

  • @dobythedog
    @dobythedog 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    "For this example, it's best to use headphones" (Points to ears). Glad you cleared that up!

  • @EverythingAwesomeTech
    @EverythingAwesomeTech 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Thanks for helping me out with speakers that has no labels. It would be awesome if you make a video of what happens to a speaker without a resistor

    • @AudioUniversity
      @AudioUniversity  3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Thanks for watching!

    • @EverythingAwesomeTech
      @EverythingAwesomeTech 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      @Google user A resistor is a thing that reduces the power coming from the power source to a speaker and more. I’m not sure if the speaker would explode or get damaged being without a resistor.

    • @thomasmaughan4798
      @thomasmaughan4798 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      So many jokes on this page. Nothing *happens* to a speaker without a resistor. My speakers have no resistors, either in series or in parallel with the voice coil. Having a resistor in series with the voice coil is going to obliterate the *damping factor* or the ability of the amplifier to control excessive excursion of the voice coil.

    • @anullhandle
      @anullhandle 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@EverythingAwesomeTech If you are talking about a speaker as in a woofer without an enclosure, I'm not aware of any that have a resister. It won't explode.
      If you are talking about a tweeter it may be damaged as it likely needs a high pass filter network which could include a resister but also a capacitor.
      If you are talking about a speaker system in an enclosure both woofer and tweeter already have resistors capacitors and inductors hooked up to them internally. Those components are tuning the system frequency response and presenting a reasonably well behaved impedance to the amplifier.

    • @EverythingAwesomeTech
      @EverythingAwesomeTech 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      Ok thanks everyone for the answer

  • @bhuvansoc9432
    @bhuvansoc9432 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Well explained 👍👏

  • @shlomilaloosh3745
    @shlomilaloosh3745 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Hi Kyle, thank you for all the videos. I find your videos very educative and you explain very clearly. How can I contact you?

    • @AudioUniversity
      @AudioUniversity  2 ปีที่แล้ว

      Thanks, Shlomi! The best way to stay in contact is through email. You can join the email list by downloading the Speaker Specs Guide here: audiouniversityonline.com/speaker-specs-guide/

  • @fernaodmc
    @fernaodmc 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Great video! I have a doubt about the same issue, but on a balanced to unbalanced connection. Taking as example an reamp box: let´s say if I flip the input XLR hot signal to the output TS sleeve, and vice versa. Would be any risk of damaging the amplifier or it´s speakers?

  • @uaespirit-ahmed3721
    @uaespirit-ahmed3721 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Informative thanks

  • @sasalucic2832
    @sasalucic2832 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    One more very good video... 👏👏👏

  • @alvincordova765
    @alvincordova765 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    It helps a lot, thank you...

  • @monterok006
    @monterok006 ปีที่แล้ว

    Very well explained, no more bs statement good job👏

  • @ricoosera
    @ricoosera 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Wow...all I can say is wow and thanks for this video...new subscriber here from philippines...

  • @NATEDOGGYSTL
    @NATEDOGGYSTL ปีที่แล้ว

    Very nice!!!

  • @GrayTapeMaker
    @GrayTapeMaker 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Pro Pro Pro!! Great Vid!

  • @thefatimasecret3034
    @thefatimasecret3034 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Can I find the right polarity on the speaker with multimeter? I just do it - / + on the wiring head unit to the speaker (DC Volt).

    • @AudioUniversity
      @AudioUniversity  3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      I don’t believe there is a way to test speaker polarity with a multimeter. The only methods I know are listed in the description of the video:
      1. Battery test
      2. Speaker tester
      3. Polarity Test Signal with Smartphone App