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should be identical. This keeps the impedance on each channel the same, which ensures
that the volume levels, frequency ranges, and tonalities are identical. Any excess wire
should be snaked back and forth, not coiled, to avoid creating an inductor/antenna for
stray radio signals.
Before making the actual connections, cut each length of wire to size. Note the markings
on the wire that differentiate between each conductor. Sometimes the marking clearly
identifies a positive and negative side. Some common clearly positive and negative
markings or identifiers are:
Positive
Negative
Red
Black
Copper
Silver
+ + +
- - -
In many cases, the mark is a single stripe on the jacket of one of the connectors. In this
case the side with the stripe is generally considered the positive side, but it really does not
matter as long as you are consistent and always using the stripe as positive or always using
it as negative.
Note that if you will be installing the speaker wire within or through walls, you must use in-
wall rated speaker wire.
Separate about 4" of wire, then strip about 1/4" (6mm)
insulation from the end and twist it to prevent stray
strands. If you plan to use banana or pin plugs to
connect to your amplifier (highly recommended), install
the plugs on one end of the wire.
