Speaker Wire Preparation and Connection. Harman Kardon 5.1, CITATION RECEIVER, CITATION 5.1

Speaker Wire Preparation and Connection

Once the proper hookup has been selected using the previous section, make the physical connection using the following instructions.

Cables or Connecting Wire

To assure that the high quality signals produced by your Citation amplifier are carried to your speakers without loss of clarity or resolution, we recommend that you use high quality speaker cable. Many brands of cable are available, and the choice of cable may be influenced by the distance between your speakers and the amplifier, the type of speakers you use, personal preferences, and other factors. Your dealer or installer is a valuable resource to consult in selecting the proper cable for connections between your amplifier and speakers.

Regardless of the brand or type of cable selected, we recommend that you use a cable constructed of fine, multi-strand copper with a AWG of 14 or larger.

Remember, that in specifying cable, the lower the number, the thicker the cable.

Cable with an AWG of 16 may be used for short runs of less than ten feet. We do not recommend that you use any cables with an AWG equivalent of 18 or higher due to the power loss and degradation in performance that will occur.

One way to insure that cables will deliver a predictable level of performance is to use cables that are Home THX ® certified. This certification assures that the cables have met a rigorous set of specifications designed for home theater applications.

Cables that are run inside walls should have the appropriate markings to indicate listing with UL, CSA or other testing agency standards. Questions about cables inside walls should be referred to your installer or a licensed electrical contractor who is familiar with the NEC and/or the applicable local building codes in your area.

Connections to Speakers

Regardless of the channel configuration used, the final step of the installation process is to connect the amplifier to your speakers, using high quality cable, as outlined above. A pair of binding posts is provided for each channel output. These posts will accept bare wire, spade lugs or banana-type plugs where permitted by local safety agencies.

If bare wire is used for the connections, strip approximately 1/2 inch to 3/4 inch

(20mm) of insulation from the end of each wire and carefully twist the strands of each conductor together. Be careful not to cut the individual strands or twist them off; for optimal performance, all strands must be used.

Then, loosen the knobs of the speaker output terminals, far enough so that the pass-through hole is revealed. Note that one conductor of the speaker cable may have no markings, and the other will have a red line, brand name markings, a black thread, or some other positive indication. Follow the proper connection instructions for your system with regard to which terminals are used. The small speaker

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icons next to each pair of terminal posts will guide you to the correct connections.

When the connections are made, twist the cap back so that the connection is secured, but do not overtighten or use tools, as this may break the delicate wire strands and decrease system performance. Also, make certain that the wire strands connected to one terminal do not contact the other terminal or wires. This will result in a short circuit.

If you are using spade lugs, connect them to the wire using the manufacturer’s instructions, and then loosen the caps on the speaker terminals. Place lugs between the plastic cap and the back of the terminal, as if it were a horseshoe on the game’s post. Be sure to observe proper polarity, using the appropriate speaker hookup icons for your system’s configuration. Tighten with your fingers to obtain a positive contact.

When banana plugs are permitted, connections may be made by simply inserting the jack affixed to your speaker wire into the hole provided on the rear of the colored screw caps on the binding posts. Before using banana-type jacks, make certain that the plastic screw caps are firmly tightened down by turning them in a counterclockwise direction until they are snug against the chassis. This will insure that the maximum surface area of the plug is in contact with the jack. Be certain to observe proper polarity.

Finally, run the cables to the speaker locations. It is highly recommended that the length of cable connecting any pair of speakers is identical. For example, make certain that the cable length connecting left and right front, or left and right rear (surround) speakers are identical, even though one speaker may be physically closer to the amplifier than the other. Do not coil any excess cable, as this may become an inductor that creates frequency response variations in your system.

Finally, connect the wires to the speakers, again being certain to observe proper polarity. Remember to connect your “negative” or “black” wire to the matching terminal on the speaker. Similarly, the “positive” or “Red” wire should be connected to the like terminal on the speaker.

Note: While most speaker manufacturers adhere to an industry convention of using black terminals for negative and red ones for positive, some manufacturers may vary from this configuration. To assure proper phase connections, and optimal performance, consult the identification plate on your speaker terminals, or the speaker’s manual to verify polarity. If you do not know the polarity of your speaker, ask your dealer or installer for advice before proceeding, or consult the speaker’s manufacturer.

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