Reversing speaker wire polarity is a common audio error. This action is known as making the speaker out of phase, and results in audio oddities. Although this is not dangerous to a speaker or amplifier, proper power delivery and speaker response is not possible with reversed speaker wires.

Does it matter which side of speaker wire is positive?

Fortunately, connecting speaker wires in opposite polarity will not damage the speaker or the amplifier (assuming the connections are made properly). However, swapping the positive and negative speaker wires at the speaker or amplifier end will consequently alter the speakers polarity within the system.

Does the polarity of a speaker matter?

If both speakers are wired the same, whether in the correct polarity or reversed polarity, there will be virtually no effect. Any changes in polarity are almost always made in an audio console or amplifier DSP, rather than in the wiring of speaker terminals.

How do you tell if a subwoofer is positive or negative?

If it moves out, then the positive speaker terminal is the one connected to the positive battery lead. If the cone moves in, the positive battery lead is connected to the speakers negative terminal.