how can you tell which speaker wires are

Printed From: the12volt.com
Forum Name: Car Audio
Forum Discription: Car Stereos, Amplifiers, Crossovers, Processors, Speakers, Subwoofers, etc.
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=97944
Printed Date: May 04, 2025 at 8:56 PM

Topic: how can you tell which speaker wires are

Posted By: standbackimapro
Subject: how can you tell which speaker wires are
Date Posted: October 13, 2007 at 6:04 PM

When replacing factory speakers, with the plug cut off, how can you tell which wire is positive and negative? and on some speakers where the terminals arent marked how can u tell which one is + -?

Replies:

Posted By: perly
Date Posted: October 13, 2007 at 8:04 PM

easiest is to try and get a spec sheet on the car but if you cannot then all you need is a 9 volt battery and you can figure it out. either leave enough wire on the plug(attached to speaker) so you can tap the wire on the battery or attach leads to the battery and test that way. Basically put one wire on one terminal and the other on the other terminal. Which ever way the speaker moves up then that is positive. I;ll try an example if it helps.

2 unknown wires - white and orange

you put positive(9Volt) on to the white wire(or terminal of speaker) and then tap the orange wire with the negative(9volt) and the speaker cone moves up..... therefore white is + and orange is -

its a little confusing to explain but once you understand then it is really easy. that being said if you are replacing all the speakers then as long as the are all wired the same way(ie in phase) then it does not really matter which is which.

Hope this helps

Posted By: standbackimapro
Date Posted: October 13, 2007 at 10:10 PM

So if the cone moves in then they would be backwards?

Posted By: kassdog
Date Posted: October 13, 2007 at 11:34 PM

Correct.

Posted By: perly
Date Posted: October 14, 2007 at 7:59 AM

standbackimapro wrote:

So if the cone moves in then they would be backwards?

yah so in this case the one which you have the positive lead on is actually negative and the other one is actually positive

Posted By: fix-8x
Date Posted: October 29, 2007 at 5:50 PM

What year and make is this? Where are you testing? What harness? That's a great way to pop air bags if you're just probing around with power.

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Posted By: DYohn
Date Posted: October 29, 2007 at 6:13 PM

You could also read our handy sticky post for help.

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