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2torial #0507:
Learn2 Set
Up a Stereo System
A sound foundation...
Before the advent of personal computers, sound
systems were probably the most complicated pieces
of machinery you'd find in the average home...and
they're still pretty intimidating when the time
comes to set one up. The actual logistics of
connections aren't too difficult, but to get the
best possible sound out of your system you'll need
to take several factors into consideration. With
this 2torial, a bit of patience, and some
experimentation, you should be able to find the
setup that works best for your sonic circumstances.
Unpack the equipment. If you have a CD player,
check for removable travel screws on the bottom. If
possible, keep the original packaging for all
units- just in case something needs to go back to
the store, or to the factory for repair (who knows?
You might even move again).
 Connect the Components
Place the components (not the speakers) on a
sturdy shelf, or in a stereo rack. If placed on top
of one another, make sure that the vents of each
piece are not covered, and hopefully have at least
1/2" of room to "breathe". Keep it all unplugged
for the moment.
- On the back of the CD player, fit one end of
one cable (supplied with the unit) over the
connection marked "right", follow that cable
with your fingers, and find the other end. On
the back of the receiver, there will be an area
marked "CD" or "CD Player", fit the other end of
the cable over the connection marked "right".
Repeat with the other cable, and the "left"
connections.
On the back of the tape deck, you'll find four
connections: a left and right for both the "in" (or
"record") section, and the "out" (or "play")
section. Your receiver will have a matching set of
connections, but there may be room for more than
one tape deck. It may appear as if there are more
connections than you know what to do with, but look
closely, and you'll see that it's probably marked
"tape 1" and "tape 2". Each of those sections has
only four connectors, just like the tape deck.
- Take one cable (supplied with the unit), and
follow it with your fingers to find the other
end (sometimes the cables are color coded for
ease).
Place one end over the "right" connection of
the "out" (or "play") section of the tape deck.
Place the other end of the cable over the
connection marked "right" in the "out" (or
"play") section of the "tape 1" area on the back
of the receiver. Repeat with the "left"
connectors.
Now do the same with the "right" and "left"
connections of the "in" (or "record") sections.
Remember to keep within the "tape 1" area.
That's four total connections on each side of
the cable.
If you have a turntable, you'll cable it to the
connectors in the "phono" section of the receiver.
The procedure is the same as the CD player, make
sure that "right" goes to "right" and "left" to
"left". On some turntables, the cables are
permanently attached, and the ends that connect
with the receiver are labeled.
 Connect the speakers
Now decide where the speakers are to be placed.
For the best sound possible, follow these
guidelines:
- The speakers should be at least six feet
apart.
- The area behind each should be similar. In
other words, don't put one in front of the
drapes and the other in front of a glass sliding
door, or one in a corner and the other along a
wall.
- In a rectangular room, try to place the
speakers along the 'long' wall, rather than the
shorter one.
- The fronts of the speakers should be on the
same plane (level with each other).
- The smallest driver (referred to as the
"tweeter") should be about at ear level. This
may mean placing smaller speakers on stands, or
less desirably, on shelves. Consider whether
you'll be seated when listening to your music.
- Keep the area around the speakers clear.
Don't block the fronts of them with furniture,
and try to minimize clutter around them.
- Corner placement will emphasize bass
response. Placement along a wall will produce a
more "open" sound. Keep in mind that a room with
lots of drapes, and padded surfaces will sound
different than a room with bare walls, and
wooden furniture.
- If using a three-piece system, with a
subwoofer, try to keep that subwoofer in the
same area of the room rather than very far away.
Most any system has what's called a "sweet
spot". This is the area about six to ten feet in
front of, and centered between the speakers.
Serious listeners will place a couch or chair in
that area, and spend most of their time there. This
may be impossible for some people, but do your
best.
- Now measure the distance to the speaker
that's farthest from the components. Keep in
mind that if you want to hide the speaker wire
as much as possible, run it along the base of
the wall, or under a rug. Once you have that
distance, add six inches for error and cut two
equal pieces of speaker wire.
Don't worry that the other speaker may be
closer to the components. It's important that
the two lengths of wire be close in length, and
you might as well make them the same. The
speaker wire should be at least 18 gauge, 16
gauge is better.
- Using a wire cutter/stripper (or scissors in
an emergency), separate the last three inches of
the paired wire, and strip the last 1/2 inch.
Twist the strands so that they form a nice,
smooth end. Repeat with the other three ends on
each paired length of wire, for a total of eight
stripped and twisted ends on both lengths.
- One side of each paired wire should be
identified, either by color or by type along the
side, as distinct from the other. Take the
marked side, and insert one end into the
positive (red) connection on the back of the
speaker that is to your right, as you face them.
Insert the unmarked side into the other
connection on the same speaker. Repeat with the
other length of wire, and the other speaker.
Look at the back of your receiver. It probably
has connections for more than one set of speakers.
If it's a "surround sound" unit, it will have
connections for four or five sets. You want the set
marked "front speakers", if there are markings for
"A" and "B" stick with the "A" group.
Insert the wires that lead from your
right-hand speaker (as you face the speakers)
into the connections marked "R" or "right". The
marked side of the paired length goes to the
connection identified as "+" or "pos". The other
side goes into the "-" or "neg" connection.
Repeat this with the other length of paired
wire, and the remaining connections in the "A"
set of "front speakers". It's very important to
make sure that no wires cross each other where
they're stripped to bare wire.
To recap; what you're doing is connecting the
positive terminals of the speakers to the positive
terminals of the front speaker section of the
receiver, then the negative to the negative. Keep
within one set of connections, rather than putting
one speaker into "A", and the other into "B". If
your receiver does not have "front" or "back"
connections, don't worry, just make the connections
as described into the available "A" set.
 Finally...
Turn the volume knob on the receiver all the way
down (to the left) and plug everything in. Turn the
receiver on first, then turn on any other
components, and insert the appropriate CD, tape or
record. Adjust the tone controls to your taste (but
don't go overboard on toying with the bass and
treble). Enjoy!
-end-
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