AW-650 - Connecting to an Amplifier

Note: Proper connection of your speakers to your amplifier or receiver is vital to obtaining good sound quality. Please follow these directions carefully. Improper connections can cause amplifier malfunction or damage.

We recommend that you use 16-gauge or heavier stranded copper wire. Use a lower gauge (heavier) wire for longer runs to reduce the amount of amplifier power lost due to the wire’s resistance.

Types of Speaker Connections

1. Bare Wire - Pull the two conductors apart for about an inch and strip approximately 1/4-inch of insulation from the end of each. (A wire stripper will simplify this, but you can use an ordinary pocket knife to cut around and through the insulation down to the wire.) Twist the strands of wire on each individual conductor tightly together. Loosen the nuts on a pair of binding posts until the holes through the metal posts are exposed, then insert the bare wire through the holes. Screw the nuts down finger-tight on the wire. Make sure that no strands of wire are touching from one binding post to the other or to any strands from the other conductor. Failure to observe this precaution at either end of the connection can result in amplifier malfunction or damage.
   
2. Pins - Many pre-made speaker cables are terminated with metal pins. Loosen the nuts on a pair of binding posts until the holes through the metal posts are exposed, then insert the pins through the holes. Screw the nuts down finger-tight on the pins — do not overtighten. Make sure that there is no metal-to-metal contact between the two pins or binding posts. Failure to observe this precaution at either end of the connection can result in amplifier malfunction or damage.
   
3. Spade lugs - Some speaker cables are terminated with U-shaped connectors called spade lugs. Loosen the nuts on a pair of binding posts and slip the spade lugs around the metal posts. Screw the nuts down finger-tight on the lugs and inspect to ensure they have remained firmly in place. Make sure that there is no metal-to-metal contact between the two lugs or binding posts. Failure to observe this precaution at either end of the connection can result in amplifier malfunction or damage.

Connecting Speaker to Amplifier

One of the most important things about hooking up your speakers is keeping them in the same polarity, or "phase". If they are connected out of phase, bass and sound imaging will be degraded. The easiest way to ensure that your speakers are wired in phase is to always connect the positive and negative output terminals on your amplifier or receiver to the matching input terminals on your speakers: positive (“+”, color-coded red) to positive and negative (“–”, color-coded black) to negative. 

Note: Each AW-650 speaker will require a designated channel on the amplifier and cannot be wired in parallel. (See Image Below)

OTHER TYPES OF SPECIALTY CONNECTORS ARE AVAILABLE TO FACILITATE CONNECTING YOUR SPEAKERS. PLEASE CONSULT KLIPSCH PRODUCT SUPPORT FOR SUGGESTIONS AND FURTHER DETAILS - How To Contact Us for Support