Speaker terminal polarity
I just unpacked my Cary 300B-SE mono blocks after being in storage for over 15 years. Both speaker outputs (on each amp) look identical (not color coded) and neither is labeled + or -. I tried a continuity test against the amp chassis and both terminals read the same. How do I determine + from -? Does it matter as long as I have each amp wired to its corresponding speaker the same way?
I must have asked this question when I got the amps 17 years ago, but can't locate the thread. Standing by with red and black sharpie pens if necessary.
12 responses Add your response
In storage for over 15 years, power it up in series with a 100watts incandescent light bulb just in case... https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQNxTsL4-umotgX_8DKUzPmho7DSPJzqsQ_fg&usqp=... |
ALL of his stuff is the same way that I have. Smart actually. Yea warm those up and give them a good listen... 15 years is a long time, ay.. Keep a close eye for a FEW days ay.. Sniff and look for oil leaks, not kidding, Carys are like old Harleys, they will leak oil, LOL twice for me. They use that same 560uf X ??? VAC for the filter caps.. I got mad at the dog at first.. Got a quick pat on the head.. oil, no dog piss, heart attack time.. Enjoy.. |
I'd suggest to judge correct polarity by ear. Do a simple listening test: 1) connect your speakers up to your amp. Play a track with vocals. 2) Then ON ONE SPEAKER only, switch the positive and negative wires and listen again. The wire orientation that sounds the most focused, voice in between your two speakers, is the correct polarity, regardless of what colors or what you think is +, -. |
MC to the rescue again with wrong info. If you don’t know which terminals are plus and minus on the amp and you are using 2 speakers, you have a chance of reversed polarity of 1 of the speakers and this will cause a significant effect. You can’t assume by looking at your amp that the positive terminal is going to be at the same place on the opposite side of the amp. Call Cary or look for your amp online to see which terminals are positive and negative. |