A well-connected electronic speaker setup is essential to getting an impressive audio system. Whether you're building an entertainment room for watching movies (home theater) or just a comfortable place to listen to music, you're going to use cable. Here are things to think about when setting up and connecting speakers in your home.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Placing Stereo Speakers
Step 1. Prepare an area for listening
This can be a long sofa, a sofa for two, or your favorite chair.
Step 2. Place the seat in a good position
The ideal placement is halfway between the two side walls and slightly back from the center of the room.
Avoid placing the seat against the back wall of the room. Flat surfaces like walls tend to break up sound a bit before reflecting it off, so you'll get a better sound effect if you allow space between the seat and the back wall
Step 3. Hang a thick, coarse-textured cloth along the wall behind the listening area
This will help adjust the reflected sound distortion.
Step 4. Place the speaker facing the target area at a sixty degree angle
The loudspeakers should be placed at least thirty centimeters from the rear wall and at least sixty centimeters from the side wall for optimal sound quality.
Step 5. Make sure that both the speakers and the listening area are all the same distance apart
This means that the distance between the three halves should be equal and form a perfect equilateral triangle.
Method 2 of 3: Choosing a Speaker Cable
Step 1. Use a measuring device to determine the distance from the electronic amplifier (amplifier) to the loudspeaker
This distance will indicate how long the cable is needed to connect it.
Step 2. Remember that if your speakers and amplifier are in the same room, then you can use a size 16 cable (the standard cable size in America, 1.291 millimeter wire diameter) which is inexpensive and sufficient for this purpose
Longer distances require larger cables because of the increased risk of failure or damage to the supply of electricity. For distances between 24 and 61 meters, you will need a size 14 cable (1.628 millimeters of wire diameter). For distances greater than 61 meters, you will need a larger size 12 (2.053 millimeter wire diameter) cable.
A size 12 cable can be used in speaker setups for any distance, even if the distance between the amplifier and loudspeaker is not too far. Some audio enthusiasts are even very confident in the extra quality and durability that you will get if you use this cable
Step 3. Purchase the cable that you think will fit your needs
Don't be afraid to buy extra-long cables. You can't predict when you'll need extra cables.
Method 3 of 3: Connecting Stereo Speakers to the Receiver
Step 1. Make sure all components are not connected to a power source
There should be no signal whatsoever going through the equipment when you connect the speakers.
Step 2. Prepare the cable for connection
Look at the wires and see if there is a difference in color between the two wires. Is one of the cable insulation red, while the other is black? Is the insulation of the wires clearly visible with the color difference from the wires underneath? This information will be useful later.
Step 3. Separate the cable in the middle by a few centimeters
Then use a cable cutter or scissors to remove two or three centimeters of insulation from each wire. You will get an exposed wire at the end of each section.
Leave the ends of the wires apart throughout this process. Bend the exposed wires so that they move away from each other in a Y shape before connecting them to anything else. Make sure the metal parts of each exposed end of the cable are twisted for easy insertion
Step 4. Decide how the cables will be connected to the speakers
Some loudspeakers have wires sticking out of the holes in the back of the housing. Other loudspeakers have a row of small sockets you can use to connect cables. These sockets should fit into a row of sockets on the back of your amplifier that looks like the one in the picture.
Step 5. Insert the cable into the appropriate socket
It is important that everything is consistent at this step for different things.
- Look for the letters "L" and "R" which denote the left and right speakers. Make sure you connect the speakers on the right side of your equipment to the jack labeled "R" on the back of the amplifier. Likewise for the left and the letter "L".
- Take advantage of the color coding on the socket when connecting cables. This will help you ensure that the polarity (positive and negative) remains consistent for your equipment. It doesn't matter which end of the cable you use for black or red, because what matters is that you stay consistent.
Step 6. Tighten the connected cables into place
This is usually done using the colored switches located on the outside of each socket.
Make sure that each red wire goes to the red socket and the black wire goes to the black socket. It is recommended that you do this before providing electrical power to the system. You can never lose being careful because inconsistent wiring can mess up your equipment. The connected equipment looks like in the picture
Step 7. Make sure you hide the cables or glue them with adhesive tape on the floor
This will prevent people from tripping over and accidentally pulling the cable out of the socket.
Tips
- Some surround sound audio system packages use special contact connections, which are provided when purchasing loudspeakers. Always use the speaker cable provided.
- If you need to run the cable through a wall or roof, use a special speaker cable (which is more durable and can inhibit the spread of fire during a fire) that is labeled CL2 or CL3.
- Flat, paintable speaker wires will help to disguise it with your room decor and get rid of the unpleasant sight of cable clutter. You can use this type of cable if you don't need to run the cable through the wall.
- Always check the documentation provided by the manufacturer for specific requirements before connecting speakers.
- If you need to wire your speakers underground for outdoor use, use a special cable for this purpose.
