Question

Speakers in stereo systems have two color-coded terminals to indicate how to hook up the wires. If the wires are reversed, the speaker moves in a direction opposite that of a properly connected speaker. Explain why it is important to have both speakers connected the same way.

a) Maintains phase coherence
b) Introduces phase difference
c) Enhances sound quality
d) No impact on sound quality

Answer 1

Having both speakers connected the same way in a stereo system maintains phase coherence and ensures balanced sound output.

Step-by-step explanation:

It is important to have both speakers connected the same way in a stereo system because it maintains phase coherence.

When the wires are reversed and the speakers are connected incorrectly, the sound waves produced by the speakers will interfere destructively, causing the speaker to move in the opposite direction of a properly connected speaker. This can result in a distorted and unbalanced sound output.

It is important to have both speakers in a stereo system connected the same way to maintain phase coherence. When speakers are connected with the correct polarity, the sound waves they produce move in synchrony, which results in constructive interference where waves amplify each other, enhancing sound quality throughout the room.

Conversely, if one speaker is connected with reversed polarity, it will move in the opposite direction, leading to destructive interference, where sound waves cancel each other out.

This can cause areas of the room to have different sound levels, potentially resulting in a dull sound in one corner and excessively loud sound in another area, as the superposition of sound waves can vary based on location.