Replacing damaged speakers is a great way to extend the life of an old radio or update its sound. Speakers generate sound through the vibration of the speaker cone, and even if the speaker is not noticeably damaged, the sound might grow dull over time as the cone begins to wear out. Whether you are looking to save a few dollars or are restoring a vintage radio, wiring in a new speaker is a simple task.
Instructions
1. Determine the size and power rating in wattage of the speaker you will be replacing. Obtain a new speaker that matches these specifications so that it will fit into the speaker cabinet. Mismatched power ratings can cause damage to your new speaker. If you do not have an old speaker to compare, identify the output power of the stereo and take a measurement of the speaker mount in the speaker cabinet. If only replacing one speaker, attempt to buy a speaker of the same brand and model to match the speakers already in the unit.
2. Disconnect the old speaker if needed. Take note of which wire runs to the speaker's positive terminal and which runs to the speaker's negative terminal. The positive wire will usually be red, with the negative wire being black.
3. Connect the wires to the proper terminals on the new speaker. Newer stereos might have caps on the end of the wires that will allow you to simply plug the wires onto the terminals. If you have an older stereo or the wires do no have caps on the end, solder the wires into place on the terminals. If you need to increase the length of the speaker wires, you can splice in pieces of new wire to the existing wire.
4. Power on the stereo and test for clear sound output. If the sound has hum or static, make sure your connections are secure. If there is no sound at all you might have connected the wires to the wrong terminals.
5. Mount the new speaker into the cabinet.
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