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speaker RCA jack connector question

mr.jones

mr.jones

AK Subscriber
Subscriber
I need to connect an RCA jack to some speaker wires. For old speakers with the RCA hookups how do you know what the polarity is on the jack?

Is there an accepted placement for wire polarity when I solder my connector to the speaker wire ?

Thanks!
 
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Outer shield is negative, center pin is positive.

You might look into a RadioShack in your area. They have pre-made speaker wire with RCA's already attached.

When you mate up the wire you have to the RCA's, be sure to observe the polarity of the wire. The positive marker goes to the center pin.
 
I think some of the old KLH models had that setup. I had some on mine and removed them. :) However, I would guess that the center pin would be positive, the sleeve would be negative. The easiest way to know for sure would be to open the speakers and run the wires back to the crossover, you should be able to see which is positive and which is negative.

Edit- Phil beat me to it.
 
Thanks for the advice.

Just to be sure the RED wire goes to the positive center pin and the outer shield is the SILVER wire?
 
dodog said:
I think some of the old KLH models had that setup. I had some on mine and removed them. :) However, I would guess that the center pin would be positive, the sleeve would be negative. The easiest way to know for sure would be to open the speakers and run the wires back to the crossover, you should be able to see which is positive and which is negative.

Edit- Phil beat me to it.
Click to expand...

Yep ...KLH Model 19.
 
mr.jones said:
Thanks for the advice.

Just to be sure the RED wire goes to the positive center pin and the outer shield is the SILVER wire?
Click to expand...
That would be my guess, but to know for sure you can run the wire back to the crossover.
 
There is a simpler way to check instead of taking anything apart.

Take a meter and put it on the continuity setting. Take 1 probe and touch the outer shield of the RCA jack, and the other probe tip to the negative screw. This should, on the readout, show "0" (or close to).

This will tell you that both the outer shield and the - (marked) screw are both connected. If this is what you're getting, the wiring is correct and there's no need to open anything.
 
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