How can i tell which is Positive and Negative on speaker wiring?

Question

I have a length of speaker cable, that has no indication as to which is the + and - (positive, negative) I don't want my speakers out of phase, how can I tell which is which? The speaker wire is clear, and there appears to be small breaks all the way along one cable, which also has printed writing on it. Is this negative?

Answer 1

Both wires in the speaker wire are identical.  The markings on the wires are to differentiate them.  Make sure the one you place in the negative speaker is the same one you place in the negative of your source.  It does not matter which is which.  It just matters that they match (source/speaker) at both ends.

Answer 2

Typically, the one with the writing on it is selected as the positive.  It doesn't make any difference however so long as you keep negative output to negative input and positive to positive.  The wires inside the jackets are the same.

Answer 3

If you hook up one speaker one way and the other the other way your speakers would be out of phase. You would be able to hear what woul be coming out of them equally. If the singer would be singing normally and you can't hear the singer out of the speakers. Don't worry just reverse the wires one only one speaker and it'll be fine.