Speaker Polarity Switch

[JammyDodger]

Hey All,

There have been a few posts on the forum about reversing the polarity of the speakers for a fuller sound. Why not just put a switch on the back panel to do this.

Has anyone tried this?

Cheers, Mike

[JimiB]

not on a dumble but I have done this on an AC30.

[glasman]

Make sure that you use isolated jacks for the speakers if you decide to try this approach.

The matchless DC30 had this switch as normal fare, but that amp did not use negative feedback.

Gary

[JammyDodger]

glasman,

Hey thanks for the reminder.... I had seen somewhere about insulated washers that fit right over the jacks. I guess there would have to be a front and back one though.

Cheers, Mike

[greiswig]

Make sure that you use isolated jacks for the speakers if you decide to try this approach.

Okay, you've got me. Why? What would be the difference between this and just reversing the leads at the speaker itself? Or would that be bad for the feedback circuit, too?

[glasman]

Make sure that you use isolated jacks for the speakers if you decide to try this approach.

Okay, you've got me. Why? What would be the difference between this and just reversing the leads at the speaker itself? Or would that be bad for the feedback circuit, too?

Because in the reverse position you would end up grounding the feedback wire.

Gary

[Pete]

Hey All,

There have been a few posts on the forum about reversing the polarity of the speakers for a fuller sound. Why not just put a switch on the back panel to do this.

Has anyone tried this?

Cheers, Mike

You could mount a switch on the back of a speaker cab or combo cab somewhere. I'm thinking of mounting 2 jacks on the back of my cab, and wiring one in "reverse". Then either one could be selected to connect to the amp (of course using the other jack at the same time to parallel to more speakers would be out of phase)

[greiswig]

Boy, the things that I take for granted. Thanks, Gary! I'm learning...slowly...

[JimiB]

Because in the reverse position you would end up grounding the feedback wire.

As long as you use an insulated jack this isn't an issue though right?

[heisthl]

If you reverse the leads right on the speaker(s) itself all is well.

[kleinm]

Yeah, I was wondering the same thing. I have two input jacks on my 2x12 speaker cabinet. Couldn't I keep one jack on the cabinet for the regular polarity input (tip - positive, sleeve - negative), and wire the other jack so its reversed (tip - negative, sleeve - positive)?

Would this wiring of the speaker cabinet accomplish the pursuits of reverse polarity?

Sorry if this is an obvious question, but I'm having a hell of a time understanding the phenomenon or how it makes a difference, and hence having a hell of a time understanding how to implement it. I don't doubt it, but I also don't understand it.

Thanks!

[heisthl]

Should work fine. To understand what's happening touch a 9 volt battery to the speaker terminals - it will jump either forward or backwards, switch the battery polarity and it jumps to other way. In thoery you want the phase of your amp and the initial jump working together to give you maximum response.

[Pete]

I have two input jacks on my 2x12 speaker cabinet. Couldn't I keep one jack on the cabinet for the regular polarity input (tip - positive, sleeve - negative), and wire the other jack so its reversed (tip - negative, sleeve - positive)?

Yes, that is what I meant. Just flip the wires on the one jack.

[glasman]

Because in the reverse position you would end up grounding the feedback wire.

As long as you use an insulated jack this isn't an issue though right?

Yes.