[LeoRavus]

I just noticed after setting up my new speakers that I put one of the wires with the 'signal flow' arrows pointing towards the receiver instead of the speaker.

How much difference will this make? It sounds fine as of now, but would it be worth reversing the wire? If not I'd rather not mess with it again.

I've read some conflicting things on it.

 

[mark62]

My OCD would get the better of me!

 

[BIGmouthinDC]

copper is dumb, I suspect it was more of a marketing ploy to differentiate a particular vendors wires than anything based on science.

 

[LeoRavus]

My OCD would get the better of me!

Mine's getting there. It's a rear surround and it was a pain running the wire up through the adjustable stand, but I'll probably end up yanking it back out now. lol

 

[LeoRavus]

copper is dumb, I suspect it was more of a marketing ploy to differentiate a particular vendors wires than anything based on science.

I've heard this also. It's overpriced Monster cable I used with my old surround over 15 years ago. I don't think I ever paid attention to it until now.

 

[BIGmouthinDC]

you have your answer, Monster was proven to use false marketing claims to demo their speaker wire in days gone by. They had a switch box that you could use to switch between their wire at the time which was like 12 Ga and wire like you use for your Iphone ear buds, The signal was strangled in the under gauge wire and you could hear a difference. The rub is you couldn't tell the difference between their overpriced wire and a heavy gauge coat hanger.

Every AV enthusiast needs to read this as part of your core curriculum. http://www.roger-russell.com/wire/wire.htm

 

[markmon1]

I just noticed after setting up my new speakers that I put one of the wires with the 'signal flow' arrows pointing towards the receiver instead of the speaker.

How much difference will this make? It sounds fine as of now, but would it be worth reversing the wire? If not I'd rather not mess with it again.

I've read some conflicting things on it.

Either it's pure speaker wire in which case it makes no difference which way it goes. Or it's something different in which case you should rip it out and throw it away for regular speaker wire. I can't see it being anything else so you probably should just leave it. Most likely it's marked because people called up tech support (which is expensive for a company to deal with) to ask which end was which.

 

[weavinator]

3 easy steps to fix the problem:

1. Get a Sharpie
2. Draw arrows on the cable pointing the other direction.
3. Enjoy.

 

[LeoRavus]

you have your answer, Monster was proven to use false marketing claims to demo their speaker wire in days gone by. They had a switch box that you could use to switch between their wire at the time which was like 12 Ga and wire like you use for your Iphone ear buds, The signal was strangled in the under gauge wire and you could hear a difference. The rub is you couldn't tell the difference between their overpriced wire and a heavy gauge coat hanger.

Every AV enthusiast needs to read this as part of your core curriculum. http://www.roger-russell.com/wire/wire.htm

I remember seeing their $100 HDMI cables at Best Buy back in the day. Didn't fall for those luckily.

Either it's pure speaker wire in which case it makes no difference which way it goes. Or it's something different in which case you should rip it out and throw it away for regular speaker wire. I can't see it being anything else so you probably should just leave it. Most likely it's marked because people called up tech support (which is expensive for a company to deal with) to ask which end was which.

The wire reads:

"THX Certified 16 Gauge Speaker Cable with Duraflex Protective Jacket by MONSTER CABLE Signal Flow >>>"

Reading the whole thing is kind of hilarious. Looks like they were trying too hard.

 

[sor]

The problem for their marketing, of course, is that the signal is an alternating current sine wave. If the wire were directional it would act like a diode to at least some extent (treat either the positive or negative half differently) and destroy half of the signal. Basically the electron flow from either the “push” signal or the “pull” signal will always be going against the directionality marking of the cable.