Polarity of Pioneer Speakers

[jrfranz]

OK after reading all of the posts and seeing all of those cool aftermarket HUs and subs in everyones trucks I broke down and bought a Blaupunkt SanJose (MP3/CD) and a Pinoeer sub/MTX amp. It is not going to be a "competition" system with 3 gagillion watts or any of that - just a little louder and hopefully better sounding. I am just about done with the install - sub and enclusure are in the factory location (I'll post pix when I am done).

OK : Qusetion is here: I am running new speaker wires to the door speakers - I have no idea which connector on the 6x8s are + and which are -.

I thought the wider one was + am I right or wrong?

If I hook them up reverse polarity (I don't intend to - just curious) what happens?

Thanks in advance - and for the inspiration -

 

[twomedicine]

I went through that about a yr ago with the stock speaker hook-ups when I replaced the OEM's with Pioneers. I used the stock wires, but cut off the connectors and soldered the leads to the new Pioneers. I felt that since the X would be going off road, I didn't want a connection problem due to choosing solderless connectors.

If I remember correctly, the large blade is your positive. Keep them consistent thoughout. If you don't the speakers are out of phase and you'll get sound but not near the optimal sound you want.

The stock leads you can check with a voltage meter. Use the Ohms/resistance setting to find the neg. terminal as there should be continuity with a metal part of the door. If I remember correctly that's how I figured it out/

 

[aldive]

I too think the large one is the positive.

Did you not get a "manual" with the speakers? It should tell which is positive/

Good luck......

 

[jrfranz]

Thanks - I think with your help I got it right -

I did have documentation with the speakers when I bought them - I swapped out the factory speakers right after I bought the truck, didn't save the manuals - oops - tactical error.

new system sounds sweet - pix to come.

Jeff

 

[wired_af]

Hook a 1.5v battery up to the speaker terminals, if the speakeer cone moves out, the polarity is correct, if the cone moves in, the polarity is reverse

 

[twomedicine]

Originally posted by wired_af
Hook a 1.5v battery up to the speaker terminals, if the speakeer cone moves out, the polarity is correct, if the cone moves in, the polarity is reverse

Interesting, I think I'll give that a try for kicks

 

[davesexplorer]

It works, and the bigger spade is the positive.... should be marked nonetheless with a "+"

 

[mhn3773]

i dont think i have saved the manuels for anything i own...i dont if i even read them =) just keeped poking till it worked lol

 

[twomedicine]

Originally posted by davesexplorer
It works, and the bigger spade is the positive.... should be marked nonetheless with a "+"

Yes, that works as you said and that’s a slick test. The Pioneer speaker’s terminals are not labeled + or - . I assumed the larger terminal was the positive since I had some unused speaker wire left from some Pioneers of the past where the red coded side of the wire was connected to the larger “female” connector (meant to receive the larger “+ “ blade terminal located on the back of the speaker).