5.1 Dolby Digital Speaker System Connection Guide

1. Overview

   

   This hookup method is used for a standard Dolby Digital surround sound speaker setup, which consists of five main speakers and a subwoofer for low bass reproduction. It is also used for the playback modes available on some A/V receivers that process stereo audio sources, such as CDs and MP3s, into simulated surround sound.

   In this setup, you’ll connect a total of six speakers to your A/V receiver or preamplifier — left, center, right, left surround and right surround, plus a subwoofer for low bass.

2. Step 1: Prepare The Speaker Wire

   

   Make sure you have enough speaker wire to reach from your A/V receiver to each speaker (except the subwoofer). Speaker wire, which is sometimes also called “zip cord” or “lamp cord,” is available either in pre-cut lengths, or in spools where you can cut strands to whatever length you need. The thickness of the wire is called the “gauge”, which is measured by a number — the smaller the number, the heavier the wire (gauge). For most audio systems, we recommend 20 or 18 gauge speaker wire. For long wire runs (more than 50 feet per speaker), 16 gauge wire is a good choice.

3. Step 2: Strip The Ends Of The Wire

   

   Note the white stripe on one conductor to help distinguish plus (+) from minus (–)

   Notice that your speaker wire has dual strands, or conductors running through it. One of these will be the “positive” (or “plus”) conductor, and the other is the “negative” (or “minus”) conductor. Both are needed for a speaker hookup, as virtually all speakers have both a plus and minus connection terminal. One of the wire’s two conductors will be marked with a stripe or a ridge. This helps identify which side is plus and which is minus. It doesn’t matter which conductor you use for plus or minus, as long as you’re consistent — always connect plus to plus, and minus to minus. Separate the two conductors by peeling them apart, and strip away ¼” of the plastic insulation on each one, leaving bare wire at the ends.

4. Step 3: Connect Wire To The Front Speakers

   

   Using just the bare, stripped end of the wire, you’ll connect one of the wire’s conductors to the positive (plus) terminal on the back of the left front speaker, and then connect the other conductor to the negative (minus) terminal next to it. Remember to be consistent with plus and minus — red is usually the indicator for plus, and black is usually minus.

   If your speakers have a “post” type connection (top), loosen the plastic knob, wrap the bare wire around the metal post, and then tighten the knob to secure the wire. If your speakers have a “spring clip” type connection (bottom), press on the tab, insert the bare wire into the hole, then release the tab, which will spring back and secure the wire. Again, remember to be consistent with plus to plus and minus to minus.

   Repeat this step and connect speaker wires to each of the remaining four speakers — center, right front, left surround and right surround. You should now have plus and minus wire strands connected to five of your six total speakers.

5. Step 4: Connect Front Speakers To The Receiver

   

   To connect the main — left and right front — speakers to the receiver, you’ll basically be repeating the process you just did for connecting wire to the speakers, only this time, you’ll connect the other end of the wires to the appropriate terminals on the receiver.

   The back of most receivers will have speaker terminals that will be marked front left and right. Sometimes this will be labeled main left and right. Connect the plus end of the left speaker wire to the plus terminal of the left speaker connection on your receiver. Then do the same for the minus end. When you’ve done this, repeat the process for the right speaker.

6. Step 5: Connect Center Speaker To The Receiver

   

   This speaker connects in the same way as the main left or right speaker. Since you’ve already connected speaker wire to your center channel speaker, you now need to connect the other end of the wire (plus and minus) to your receiver.

   The back of any surround sound receiver will have terminals to accept the plus and minus ends of the speaker cable that’s connected to the center speaker. Locate the center terminals on the back of your receiver. Then connect the plus wire to the plus terminal, and the minus wire to the minus terminal. When you’re done, the center speaker is properly connected.

7. Step 6: Connect Surround Speakers To Receiver

   

   These two speakers will provide surround effects to your Dolby Digital surround setup; they are placed to the rear or the sides of the main listening position. Since you’ve already connected speaker wire to your left and right surround speakers, you now need to connect the other end of their wires (plus and minus for each one) to your receiver.

   The back of any surround sound receiver will have terminals to accept the plus and minus ends of the speaker cables that are connected to the left and right surround speakers. Locate the surround speaker terminals on the back of your receiver. Then connect the plus and minus wires from the left speaker to the left terminals, and then the plus and minus wires from the right speaker to the right terminals.

8. Step 7: Prepare The Cable For The Subwoofer

   

   Subwoofers are specialized speakers that produce only low bass notes. They typically connect in a completely different way than main loudspeakers, using a single cable with a plug at the end. This cable is sometimes called a subwoofer cable, but also a “coaxial” cable and sometimes just an “audio” cable. The wire is terminated with a conventional RCA-type plug (also known as a “phono” plug). You’ll need a cable that’s long enough to run from your AV receiver to wherever in the room you’ll place the subwoofer.

9. Step 8: Connect Subwoofer To Receiver

   

   The AV receiver will typically have a single output jack for a subwoofer. It will be labeled “Subwoofer,” “Sub,” or sometimes “LFE”, which stands for “low frequency effects” (low bass). Connect one end of the subwoofer cable to this jack. If you see more than one output jack on the receiver meant for the subwoofer (unusual), choose the left one.

   The subwoofer itself will typically have one jack for input (sometime labeled in). Connect the other end of the cable to this jack. If you see more than one input jack on the subwoofer (unusual), choose the left one (or the top one).