Editing Loudspeaker (section)

===Wiring connections===
[[File:Lautsprecherkabel Anschlussterminal Vistaon Klemme Makro.jpg|thumb|left|Grip connectors on a loudspeaker to connect it to a [[speaker terminal]]]]
[[File:Banana plugs speaker.jpg|thumb|[[Binding post|Two-way binding posts]] on a loudspeaker, connected using [[Banana connector|banana plugs]]]]
[[File:Bi-amp capable.jpg|thumb|upright|A 4-ohm loudspeaker with two pairs of binding posts capable of accepting bi-wiring after the removal of two metal straps]]

Most home hi-fi loudspeakers use two wiring points to connect to the source of the signal (for example, to the audio amplifier or [[Receiver (radio)|receiver]]). To accept the wire connection, the loudspeaker enclosure may have [[binding post]]s, spring clips, or a panel-mount jack. If the wires for a pair of speakers are not connected with respect to the proper [[electrical polarity]],{{efn|The + and − connections on the speaker and amplifier should be connected + to + and − to −;  speaker cable is almost always marked so that one conductor of a pair can be distinguished from the other, even if it has run under or behind things in its run from amplifier to speaker location.}} the loudspeakers are said to be ''out of phase'' or more properly ''out of polarity''.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=d7ft6F8ZUdcC&pg=PA186 |title=The Sound Reinforcement Handbook |first1=Gary |last1=Davis|first2=Gary D. |last2=Davis |date=April 14, 1989 |publisher=Hal Leonard Corporation |access-date=April 14, 2018 |via=Google Books |isbn=9780881889000 }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=L38MrvScG3gC&pg=PA298|title=The Audio Dictionary: Third Edition, Revised and Expanded |first1=Glenn D. |last1=White |first2=Gary J. |last2=Louie |date=October 1, 2011 |publisher=University of Washington Press |access-date=April 14, 2018 |via=Google Books |isbn=9780295801704 }}</ref> Given identical signals, motion in the cone of an out of polarity loudspeaker is in the opposite direction of the others. This typically causes monophonic material in a stereo recording to be canceled out, reduced in level, and made more difficult to localize, all due to destructive interference of the sound waves. The cancellation effect is most noticeable at frequencies where the loudspeakers are separated by a quarter wavelength or less; low frequencies are affected the most. This type of miswiring error does not damage speakers, but is not optimal for listening.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lesWAAAAQBAJ&pg=PA57|title=Audio in Media|first=Stanley R.|last=Alten|date=January 22, 2013|publisher=Cengage Learning|access-date=April 14, 2018|via=Google Books|isbn=9781285675299}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=K1t0GxyvVbMC&pg=PA130|title=Guide to Sound Systems for Worship|first=Jon F.|last=Eiche|date=April 14, 1990|publisher=Hal Leonard Corporation|access-date=April 14, 2018|via=Google Books|isbn=9780793500291}}</ref>

With sound reinforcement system, [[PA system]] and [[instrument amplifier]] speaker enclosures, cables and some type of jack or connector are typically used. Lower- and mid-priced sound system and instrument speaker cabinets often use [[1/4" jack]]s. Higher-priced and higher-powered sound system cabinets and instrument speaker cabinets often use [[Speakon]] connectors. Speakon connectors are considered to be safer for high-wattage amplifiers, because the connector is designed so that human users cannot touch the connectors.