Goodmans Maximus wire connectors – Which is which?
 

My Vintage Goodmans Maximus 1 speaker connections are not labeled +/-. Can anyone tell me if this matters? And, if so, which is which?

They'll be going to a Goodmans 110 receiver with two-pin DIN connectors (though, I'd like to switch those out).

They are arranged left and right. Screw-post knobs are not color coded.

Ian
SF, CA, USA

Re: Goodmans Maximus wire connectors – Which is which?
 

As long as you wire up the two speakers identically to each other, it does not matter. It's AC anyway. As long as the same signal sends both cones in the same direction, it will work.

If the connections to one speaker are reversed, you will get a "thin" sound as one cone tries to cancel out the other, but no lasting damage will occur.

Re: Goodmans Maximus wire connectors – Which is which?
 

Hi,
Yes, the two speakers must be 'in phase', as AJS has said. In the past I have checked speakers by touching a 1.5volt flashlight battery across the speaker terminals. One way round will make the cone pull in, the other way round will make it push out. Whichever post the battery positive was on when the cone pushed out can be marked with a bit of red tape.
Do this for both speakers and they will then be in phase when connected to the amp.
Hope this helps.
Cheers, Pete:thumbsup:

Re: Goodmans Maximus wire connectors – Which is which?
 

Great to know about the battery tip! Looks like a 9v battery will span the distance between poles nicely. Would 9v be too much?

Re: Goodmans Maximus wire connectors – Which is which?
 

9V will be OK though 1.5V is better. Connect it only very briefly (less than a second).

The wire may have a moulded ridge along one edge which is usually positive. As others have said though the actual polarity doesn't matter but both speakers must be connected the same way around. So if there is a ridge on the cable use it for positive on both speakers and you'll be fine.