Polarity issues

[Sprbwlstlrs]

So I just upgraded my 3.5’a to the infinities just like my wrangler. After using audio control polarity test. And switching all the metra harnesses wire so they are correct polarity. I am getting positive polarity on all my 4 infinities. But I’m noticing. All the factory 4”. Is reading negative. So did I mess up and should I have hooked these all up like the metra harnesses came and just install it all negative polarity so they are all in phase? Rrrr

many one else had this issue. Myunderstanding is you needed to switch the harness wires to make them all correct polarity. Old speakers were negative.

Sponsored

 

[Jeff.gt]

I installed dash speakers last night and tested all of mine with the speaker pop app. Everything was showing negative besides the sub, so I didn't alter the harness. Mine is a 20 sport with the Alpine premium system. Safe to say you're out of phase, best way to check is with a meter...I'm going to verify mine today. If using the mic on your phone, use the balance/fader to test each individually, it's sensitive!

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I installed dash speakers last night and tested all of mine with the speaker pop app. Everything was showing negative besides the sub, so I didn't alter the harness. Mine is a 20 sport with the Alpine premium system. Safe to say you're out of phase, best way to check is with a meter...I'm going to verify mine today. If using the mic on your phone, use the balance/fader to test each individually, it's sensitive!

You guys have me fascinated on this - my stereo experiences date back into the late 1980s with the Alpine auto stereo contests - because it was all start from scratch fresh install of everything from head unit to EQ to amps to cross-overs to speakers - tweeters, midrange and subs, there was never any question about polarity or phasing.

I've replaced the top dash speakers, used the harness with the wires flipped as that was how I was supposed to do it (and how they came to me as used speakers with adapters), but I have another pair for the bar over my head...........

All that being said - what's the best way to test - I have no equipment at all other than phone and/or tablet, no software, no mics, nuttin'.

But IMO, the sound sucks, way too muddy even with bass turned down a negative 5.
I guess the higher end system I had in my Comanche spoiled me.

Mine is 2020 Overland, "Alpine premium sound" (but one could argue the premium part)

 

[Radio Guy]

You can test speaker polarity with a 1.5 volt battery like an AA. When the speaker cone goes forward or outward the battery + will be audio +. If the speaker goes inward then reverse the battery and the cone should go outward and you will know the polarity.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

You can test speaker polarity with a 1.5 volt battery like an AA. When the speaker cone goes forward or outward the battery + will be audio +. If the speaker goes inward then reverse the battery and the cone should go outward and you will know the polarity.

That makes sense - then how about matching it with the other speakers? I've not paid attention, the wires are polarity marked? Or like in the past, one connection on the speaker was smaller - more narrow, and was positive?
I never paid attention when I replaced the top dash speakers, the adapter was there, wires already reversed, that's how it was supposed to go...........

 

[Jeff.gt]

The speaker pop app seems to work pretty well. Just download the test track and play it via bluetooth and adjust fader/balance to check one corner at a time. I tested it on known positive speakers (computer and home stereo), and it popped positive every time. In my STI with a 5 channel amp, same test showed positive (although I found one out of phase, oops).

In my JT with alpine premium, every speaker popped negative besides the sub. For whatever reason by design, all of the speakers are out of phase with the sub.

I would never opt to order new with any factory "premium" system, got her used for a deal I couldn't say no too so I'm "stuck" premium till I'm ready to drop some coin on a full system.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Must be an Apple thing? I see no app called "speaker pop" or similar name but there are some polarity checkers - with ads, of course LOL

 

[Jeff.gt]

Must be an Apple thing? I see no app called "speaker pop" or similar name but there are some polarity checkers - with ads, of course LOL

Yep, just for apple it seems.

Speaker Polarity | Studio Six Digital

 

[Radio Guy]

That makes sense - then how about matching it with the other speakers? I've not paid attention, the wires are polarity marked? Or like in the past, one connection on the speaker was smaller - more narrow, and was positive?
I never paid attention when I replaced the top dash speakers, the adapter was there, wires already reversed, that's how it was supposed to go...........

You want to match the polarity of whatever speaker you are replacing and if you swapped out other speakers and didn't verify polarity you should do that now. I would also not rely on a small connector on a front speaker also being the same polarity on a rear set of speakers, they need to be checked individually by testing the original factory speaker.

 

[downtroddengoat]

i don't recall which side or if it was consistent one side, but I had to rejgger the harnesses to get them to work consistent in this Jeep in both the dash and sound bar. I had a strange feeling that perhaps the inverted polarity was done for a reason -- but sounded like garbage with the aftermarket speakers.

 

[XraytecH]

You guys have me fascinated on this - my stereo experiences date back into the late 1980s with the Alpine auto stereo contests - because it was all start from scratch fresh install of everything from head unit to EQ to amps to cross-overs to speakers - tweeters, midrange and subs, there was never any question about polarity or phasing.

I've replaced the top dash speakers, used the harness with the wires flipped as that was how I was supposed to do it (and how they came to me as used speakers with adapters), but I have another pair for the bar over my head...........

All that being said - what's the best way to test - I have no equipment at all other than phone and/or tablet, no software, no mics, nuttin'.

But IMO, the sound sucks, way too muddy even with bass turned down a negative 5.
I guess the higher end system I had in my Comanche spoiled me.

Mine is 2020 Overland, "Alpine premium sound" (but one could argue the premium part)

Do you have a 9V battery?



But that's assuming the wires going into the speakers are correct. You'll need a test pop and either an app on a phone or one of these...

https://www.amazon.com/AUTUT-Automo...ocphy=9031907&hvtargid=pla-662858478939&psc=1

 

[Radio Guy]

i don't recall which side or if it was consistent one side, but I had to rejgger the harnesses to get them to work consistent in this Jeep in both the dash and sound bar. I had a strange feeling that perhaps the inverted polarity was done for a reason -- but sounded like garbage with the aftermarket speakers.

It doesn't matter much if all speakers in a system are reverse polarity, it does matter if they are different polarity within the same system. The thought is a kick drum or other percussive sound should make the speaker go outward on the positive going leading edge of the signal but some amplifiers and preamps reverse the signal polarity, so there is no industry standard. The best you can do in your vehicle is connect any new speaker the same polarity as what you took out.

Sponsored