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How to Test Speakers and Wires

Introduction

This guide uses a 9 volt battery and a digital multimeter to test the functionality of the speakers and the wires.

What you need

  1. How to Test Speakers and Wires, How to Test Speakers and Wires: step 1, image 1 of 2 How to Test Speakers and Wires, How to Test Speakers and Wires: step 1, image 2 of 2

    • Speaker Testing Option 1: Connect a 9 Volt battery to the leads of the speaker, positive lead to positive battery end and negative lead to negative battery end.

    • If a pulse is generated in the speaker then the speaker is still functioning properly.

    • This same practice would apply to the tweeter speaker as well.

    • Do not keep the 9 Volt battery connected to speaker for an extended period. It could cause damage to the speaker.

    Edit

    Veel beter om dit met een 1.5V batterij te doen ipv 9V.

    Eric - Reply

  2. How to Test Speakers and Wires: step 2, image 1 of 1

    • Speaker Testing Option 2: This option requires the use of a digital multimeter that has a continuity setting.

    • This setting is typically found under the resistance setting but may have its own setting as shown in the picture.

    Edit

  4. How to Test Speakers and Wires: step 3, image 1 of 1

    • To test the continuity of the wires themselves and both ends of a single wire and test the continuity.

    • Connect each end of the single wire to the positive and negative leads of the multimeter. If there is an unbroken circuit through the speaker there will be a continuous tone output from the multimeter and/or the meter will not read "OL" (open).

    Edit

  5. How to Test Speakers and Wires: step 4, image 1 of 1

    • Connect both ends of the speaker to the positive and negative leads of the multimeter. If there is an unbroken circuit through the speaker there will be a continuous tone output from the multimeter and/or the meter will not read "OL" (open).

    Edit

  6. How to Test Speakers and Wires: step 5, image 1 of 2 How to Test Speakers and Wires: step 5, image 2 of 2

    • Capacitor Testing: This will require a digital multimeter with a capacitance testing option.

    • Connect the positive lead of the multimeter to the positive lead of the capacitor, and vice versa for the negative. If the capacitor is functioning the multimeter will give a reading that is similar to the ratings given on the capacitor casing.

    • NOTE: If the capacitor reading is -5% of its given base rating then the capacitor is consider bad.

    Edit
Conclusion

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.

16 other people completed this guide.

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Dallas

Member since: 10/10/16

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IUPUI, Team 3-2, Baechle Fall 2016 Member of IUPUI, Team 3-2, Baechle Fall 2016

IUPUI-BAECHLE-F16S3G2

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4 Comments

Would you carry out the same procedure for Beat Solo headphones? The right side works ok, there is no sound from the left side. There is continuity throughout the left circuit.

Roy Saxby - Reply

Would this be the same procedure for Beat Solo headphones? There is no sound from the left earpiece but sound from the right side. There is continuity throughout the left side circuit. The connecting cable is also fully serviceable.

Roy Saxby - Reply

what if your speaker is from the late 1920s and has 4 wires?

John Henry - Reply

Thank you, found the problem with my subwoofer and managed to fix it with this info.

TdG - Reply

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