stupid question

binarycool · 11-07-2009, 11:07 AM

just got my tsi500's finally =)

but i've never had speakers with 2 sets of those red and black things on the back. do i plug my speaker wire into the ones on top or bottom or does it even matter.

thanks

WilliamM2 · 11-07-2009, 11:11 AM

Doesn't matter.

janmike · 11-07-2009, 11:20 AM

Congrats. No such thing, all questions are relevant. As indicated, it does not matter. Just remove one pair of plastic (red and black) post covers. I put all mine away for when I have to move / sell whatever.

apphd · 11-07-2009, 03:09 PM

As pointed out it doesn't matter which you use (top/bottom) but do make sure the jumper is in place and all 4 are nice and tight.

packetjones · 11-07-2009, 03:31 PM

as others have said it does not matter. i normally put mine in the bottom but there is not really a difference. Just make sure the metal jumper is there and all the posts are screwed on nice and tight.

Enjoy the new 500's. Post a review after you have put in some good time with them.

xcapri79 · 11-07-2009, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by binarycool

just got my tsi500's finally =)

but i've never had speakers with 2 sets of those red and black things on the back. do i plug my speaker wire into the ones on top or bottom or does it even matter.

thanks

Why not ask your friends conducting their audio study?

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=90820

binarycool · 11-07-2009, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xcapri79

Why not ask your friends conducting their audio study?

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=90820

i dont know why im getting such grief for that. its a legit study. don't participate if you don't wwant i was just letting people know. my friend works for a marketing company that is doing it.

and she knows very little about anything audio. her expertise is MARKETING. she just asks you a bunch of questions over the phone and if you qualify you either do an in home interview or make a video diary of yourself.

i won't post anything related to it again.

sheesh.

binarycool · 11-07-2009, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by apphd

As pointed out it doesn't matter which you use (top/bottom) but do make sure the jumper is in place and all 4 are nice and tight.

Sorry - what is the jumper? lol.

I have them hooked up so far so good.

I ran out of wire from my old speakers. I had Monster that Best Buy talked me into years ago. Do I really need more monster cable or can I just buy the 16gage roll at Radio Shack for 12 bucks? (vs 40)

janmike · 11-07-2009, 05:55 PM

The jumper is the metal/wire that connects the top post to the bottom post. Black to black and red to red. These would come out if you bi-wired the speakers, which you are not.

greg2350 · 11-07-2009, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by binarycool

i dont know why im getting such grief for that. its a legit study. don't participate if you don't wwant i was just letting people know. my friend works for a marketing company that is doing it.

and she knows very little about anything audio. her expertise is MARKETING. she just asks you a bunch of questions over the phone and if you qualify you either do an in home interview or make a video diary of yourself.

i won't post anything related to it again.

sheesh.

Dont sweat it man people can be pretty harsh in here enjoy your new speakers.

janmike · 11-07-2009, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by greg2350

Dont sweat it man people can be pretty harsh in here enjoy your new speakers.

+1. Just ignore and enjoy.

danger boy · 11-07-2009, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by binarycool

Sorry - what is the jumper? lol.

I have them hooked up so far so good.

I ran out of wire from my old speakers. I had Monster that Best Buy talked me into years ago. Do I really need more monster cable or can I just buy the 16gage roll at Radio Shack for 12 bucks? (vs 40)

if your speaker wire is older than a couple of years.. get rid of it..and get some new wire.. preferably not the same brand as your current wires.

Welcome to the club and congrats on your new speakers.

cfrizz · 11-07-2009, 06:19 PM

Welcome to Club Polk & enjoy your speakers!

binarycool · 11-07-2009, 06:27 PM

Thanks guys. Yeah speaker wire is about 8 years old will get replace soon... just curious as to why? It still is in good condition, does it go bad?

danger boy · 11-07-2009, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by binarycool

Thanks guys. Yeah speaker wire is about 8 years old will get replace soon... just curious as to why? It still is in good condition, does it go bad?

correction.. thanks guys AND girls. there are a couple of cool women who hang out in here too

and yes.. speaker wire oxidizes over time.. making it not as effective.. so replace those wires.

binarycool · 11-07-2009, 07:20 PM

awesome thanks again.

and i'm from jersey i refer to everyone as "guys" lol, but good to know

cfrizz · 11-07-2009, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by danger boy

correction.. thanks guys AND girls. there are a couple of cool women who hang out in here too

Thank you Al!

Cathy

WilliamM2 · 11-07-2009, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by binarycool

Thanks guys. Yeah speaker wire is about 8 years old will get replace soon... just curious as to why? It still is in good condition, does it go bad?

No need to replace your wire, it doesn't go bad. If it's oxidized, you may want to clip a inch off the end and expose fresh wire, I've never had to do that though. Wire will last longer than you will.

dirhyplac · 11-07-2009, 09:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by binarycool

awesome thanks again.

and i'm from jersey i refer to everyone as "guys" lol, but good to know

Thanks guys. Yeah speaker wire is about 8 years old will get replace soon... just curious as to why? It still is in good condition, does it go bad?

CoolJazz · 11-07-2009, 09:43 PM

If the speaker wire is the cheap stuff that William often recommends, then clipping off the end and restripping may not help at all.

You see, what he doesn't know is that often the clear jacket type of wire thats commonly available, oxidizes the conductors from the chemicals leaching out of the jacket material, not just from air contact. You can tell if this is going to be the case, if you restrip the jacket material off and the wire isn't bright and shiny, but is instead a dirty brownish kind of color.

In a pinch, I pulled some off a shelf this week to use for a minute. Spooling it off and stripping it, I ran into this vary problem. Clipped off a little more and retried, hoping, but nope, low quality is just low quality and makes poor contact and is bad for audio!! I just threw it and the whole spool away rather than risk a problem then or at a later date.

I ran across some of this a couple years ago attached to something that'd been around for a several years. Don't know for sure, but likely it was 6 to 8 years old or so. It really caught my eye, because right through the clear jacket it could see it was green! Not just a little green, a LOT green! You see, long before it turns to a greenish dust (which it does!) it's oxidation on the cable creates problems. It starts kind of brown, then gets green and eventually falls apart to a powdery substance that you'd never know was a wire at one time! Kinda of shocking actually!

You just have to remember that there is a lot of bad, incorrect information on the web. Sometimes, it's even repeated over and over like that's going to make it true. Even what will appear to be the majority opinion sometimes can even be wrong. About the only way you can sort out what to believe is either look a lot or look for the tips and little comments that ring true and can give a reason that the flip side of the situation is the correct one in your case.

Good luck!

CoolJazz

PS...reported post #19!!

sTiLlLeArNiNg · 11-07-2009, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WilliamM2

No need to replace your wire, it doesn't go bad. If it's oxidized, you may want to clip a inch off the end and expose fresh wire, I've never had to do that though. Wire will last longer than you will.

Agreed, also if you want to maximize your current setup without spending extra cash rip the stock jumper plate's of and run your speaker wire's to the bottom first, then use a small section of speaker wire to connect to the to post's

Exercise caution though because i'm a mad fool!

Like so:

WilliamM2 · 11-07-2009, 09:55 PM

Quote:

If the speaker wire is the cheap stuff that William often recommends, then clipping off the end and restripping may not help at all.

You see, what he doesn't know is that often the clear jacket type of wire thats commonly available, oxidizes the conductors from the chemicals leaching out of the jacket material, not just from air contact.

Not with the inexpensive wire I recommend, none of which has clear jackets BTW. I always recommend quality in wall speaker wire.

Why don't we re-wire all the AC circuits in our homes every 5 years or so? Hate to see it turn to dust.

CoolJazz · 11-07-2009, 10:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WilliamM2

Why don't we re-wire all the AC circuits in our homes every 5 years or so? Hate to see it turn to dust.

Well, if we shopped for AC wiring at Walgreens automotive department, like your speaker wire, then we probably would be changing it...or risking fire!!

I sure if we check with the godfather of all bad wiring advice,

he'd instruct that as long as it's 12 guage, it'd be just fine!!

WilliamM2 · 11-08-2009, 12:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CoolJazz

Well, if we shopped for AC wiring at Walgreens automotive department, like your speaker wire, then we probably would be changing it...or risking fire!!

I sure if we check with the godfather of all bad wiring advice,

he'd instruct that as long as it's 12 guage, it'd be just fine!!

Why the insults? Don't you have anything to back up your claims?

And please show where I have recommended bad speaker wire. Maybe a link or two?

Face · 11-08-2009, 12:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WilliamM2

Why don't we re-wire all the AC circuits in our homes every 5 years or so? Hate to see it turn to dust.

In wall is solid core and less problematic compared to Walmart special cable.

greg2350 · 11-08-2009, 12:43 AM

Guy asking about the jumpers turned into the great wire debate

WilliamM2 · 11-08-2009, 01:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Face

In wall is solid core and less problematic compared to Walmart special cable.

You buy wire at Walmart? The OP said his cable was Monster, not Walmart.

Face · 11-08-2009, 01:13 AM

Shhh...don't let me secret out.

quadzilla · 11-09-2009, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by binarycool

just got my tsi500's finally =)

but i've never had speakers with 2 sets of those red and black things on the back. do i plug my speaker wire into the ones on top or bottom or does it even matter.

thanks

Technically, it shouldn't matter. But since the signal has to go through those thin brass jumpers, some people report a slight difference in detail, depending on which ones they plug into. Most, I believe, agree that replacing the factory jumpers with some made from the same wire you're using for the speakers gives at least a slight improvement.

tonyb · 11-09-2009, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cfrizz

Thank you Al!

Cathy

Your a girl!!!????

When the hell did that happen?

11-07-2009, 11:20 AM	#3
janmike Polk Master Member Sales Rating: (2) Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Yellowknife, NT Posts: 5,016	Congrats. No such thing, all questions are relevant. As indicated, it does not matter. Just remove one pair of plastic (red and black) post covers. I put all mine away for when I have to move / sell whatever. __________________ Michael In the beginning, all knowledge was new! NORTH of 60°

11-07-2009, 03:31 PM	#5
packetjones Polkster Member Sales Rating: (0) Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Oklahoma City Posts: 62	as others have said it does not matter. i normally put mine in the bottom but there is not really a difference. Just make sure the metal jumper is there and all the posts are screwed on nice and tight. Enjoy the new 500's. Post a review after you have put in some good time with them. __________________ Front - RTiA5's Rear - RTiA3's Center - CSiA4 Sub - PSW110

11-07-2009, 06:19 PM	#13
cfrizz Polk Guru Member Sales Rating: (1) Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 8,612	Welcome to Club Polk & enjoy your speakers! __________________ Sunfire TGP III PrePro, Sunfire Cinema Grand Signature 405wpc 5 ch. Amp, Rotel RCD-1072 CDP, Onkyo TA2600 Tape Deck, Pioneer Elite 47-A DVD, Sony 32" XBR TV, Polk RTA-8T Main Speakers, Boston VR-920 Center Channel, Boston PV-600 Subwoofer, Polk DSW 400 Subwoofer, Polk FXi-3Surround Speakers

11-07-2009, 09:43 PM	#20
CoolJazz Polkster Member Sales Rating: (0) Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: TN Posts: 95	If the speaker wire is the cheap stuff that William often recommends, then clipping off the end and restripping may not help at all. You see, what he doesn't know is that often the clear jacket type of wire thats commonly available, oxidizes the conductors from the chemicals leaching out of the jacket material, not just from air contact. You can tell if this is going to be the case, if you restrip the jacket material off and the wire isn't bright and shiny, but is instead a dirty brownish kind of color. In a pinch, I pulled some off a shelf this week to use for a minute. Spooling it off and stripping it, I ran into this vary problem. Clipped off a little more and retried, hoping, but nope, low quality is just low quality and makes poor contact and is bad for audio!! I just threw it and the whole spool away rather than risk a problem then or at a later date. I ran across some of this a couple years ago attached to something that'd been around for a several years. Don't know for sure, but likely it was 6 to 8 years old or so. It really caught my eye, because right through the clear jacket it could see it was green! Not just a little green, a LOT green! You see, long before it turns to a greenish dust (which it does!) it's oxidation on the cable creates problems. It starts kind of brown, then gets green and eventually falls apart to a powdery substance that you'd never know was a wire at one time! Kinda of shocking actually! You just have to remember that there is a lot of bad, incorrect information on the web. Sometimes, it's even repeated over and over like that's going to make it true. Even what will appear to be the majority opinion sometimes can even be wrong. About the only way you can sort out what to believe is either look a lot or look for the tips and little comments that ring true and can give a reason that the flip side of the situation is the correct one in your case. Good luck! CoolJazz PS...reported post #19!! Last edited by CoolJazz; 11-07-2009 at 09:46 PM.. Reason: Reported!

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11-07-2009, 11:07 AM	#1
binarycool Polkie Member Sales Rating: (0) Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 46	stupid question just got my tsi500's finally =) but i've never had speakers with 2 sets of those red and black things on the back. do i plug my speaker wire into the ones on top or bottom or does it even matter. thanks

11-07-2009, 11:11 AM	#2
WilliamM2 Polkologist Member Sales Rating: (5) Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 2,880	Doesn't matter.

11-07-2009, 03:09 PM	#4
apphd Polkhead Member Sales Rating: (1) Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: NE PA Posts: 1,129	As pointed out it doesn't matter which you use (top/bottom) but do make sure the jumper is in place and all 4 are nice and tight.

11-07-2009, 05:55 PM	#9
janmike Polk Master Member Sales Rating: (2) Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Yellowknife, NT Posts: 5,016	The jumper is the metal/wire that connects the top post to the bottom post. Black to black and red to red. These would come out if you bi-wired the speakers, which you are not.

11-07-2009, 06:27 PM	#14
binarycool Polkie Member Sales Rating: (0) Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 46	Thanks guys. Yeah speaker wire is about 8 years old will get replace soon... just curious as to why? It still is in good condition, does it go bad?

11-07-2009, 07:20 PM	#16
binarycool Polkie Member Sales Rating: (0) Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 46	awesome thanks again. and i'm from jersey i refer to everyone as "guys" lol, but good to know

11-08-2009, 12:43 AM	#26
greg2350 Polkateer Member Sales Rating: (4) Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Garland,Texas Posts: 311	Guy asking about the jumpers turned into the great wire debate

11-08-2009, 01:13 AM	#28
Face BROKEN Member Sales Rating: (24) Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Long Island Posts: 8,172	Shhh...don't let me secret out.

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