Focal Access 165 Tweeter Polarity

[geosynch]

OK, I need help.

I'm (finally) installing an audio system, and have my doors torn apart putting in new Focal speakers.

What is the f***ing tweeter polarity?

There is nothing (ie. no + or -) marked on the tweeter itself, but it has one wire with a red stripe and the other wire with no stripe.

I've always been taught that red is positive, but also that the stripped wire is negative. So what the eff is up with a red stripe? Are these people French and doing this just to p!ss me off?

Anyone have a clue as to which should be negative and which positive?

Thanks,

geosynch

[Wdhitch]

Stupid question... what happens if you reverse the polarity?

No sound? Less sound?

[SunDiego]

I'd say the stripped is negative despite coloring. But I'm no expert on this.

[geosynch]

Originally Posted by Wdhitch

Stupid question... what happens if you reverse the polarity?

No sound? Less sound?

The signal is 180 degrees out of phase from the source. It'll sound weird, but I may be too stupid to notice.

Funny thing is, the manual warns of reversing polarity, but they don't specify the polarity of the tweeter. (Hey, McFly, your shoe's untied...)

I've been doing the Google for wiring conventions, and instructions for this particular speaker. It seems that I'm not the only person who has had this question with the Focal speaker. I've also found references on line that red is always postive and stripped is always negative (which is what I thought), but also that red stripped is postive.

Too bad I switched from EE to ME in school. The Gaussian Gods are getting revenge.

geosynch

[Wdhitch]

My question is would I notice... I put in the Polks and didn't think about the polarity till I had already disconnected and cut the wires... so I guessed too... now I'm wondering...

[Turbo42]

you would notice unclear and breaks up

[Wdhitch]

thanks

[geosynch]

Originally Posted by babybenz

you would notice unclear and breaks up

It isn't that distinctive. Try it on your home speakers, which would be presumably easier to switch the polarity on.

All I know is, if one speaker is reversed, and the other isn't, I can tell. Otherwise... Hard to say. Not sure what it'd be like to have a tweeter and woofer reversed, as I've never tried it.

Here is a decent article on it that I found on speaker polarity.

I guessed that the Focal tweeter with the red stripe is positive. Sounds great.

Best,

geosynch

[NCC1701]

Originally Posted by geosynch

Are these people French and doing this just to p!ss me off?

Gee, I wonder what your political stance is.

[jwight]

Originally Posted by NCC1701

Gee, I wonder what your political stance is.

Give it a rest, please. Thanks!