how to hook up the rear center?

[SonnyW]

My system is setup currently with 4 satellites and 1 center. Can anyone tell me how to setup the rear center as far as wiring goes? (I can't find the documentation that should have come with the box) TIA!

[tdekany]

search under Sasha's posts - he tells you what to do.

[Hogues92]

search under Sasha's posts - he tells you what to do

I would have to disagree with that. There are still several questions that have no answers. Read the other posts.


Mike

[tdekany]

Originally posted by Hogues92
I would have to disagree with that. There are still several questions that have no answers. Read the other posts.


Mike

Sasha's response:

For 6 channel systems, you need to connect the positive speaker wire to both the top and bottom right hand posts on the rear center, and the negative wire to both the top and bottom left hand posts on the rear center.

For 5 channel systems, you run extra cable from the left rear satellite to the left and right top posts, and from the right rear to the left and right bottom posts. Make sure to maintain the correct polarity, so that wires from red color coded posts go to red color coded posts.

I know its a bit complicated.

[SonnyW]

Originally posted by tdekany
Sasha's response:

For 6 channel systems, you need to connect the positive speaker wire to both the top and bottom right hand posts on the rear center, and the negative wire to both the top and bottom left hand posts on the rear center.

For 5 channel systems, you run extra cable from the left rear satellite to the left and right top posts, and from the right rear to the left and right bottom posts. Make sure to maintain the correct polarity, so that wires from red color coded posts go to red color coded posts.



That really sounds confusing. What is top/bottom of a rear center sattlite? There is only one positive and one negative hole for each small sattlites.

[Hogues92]

I read Sasha's response. However, it didn't address the other questions that were asked in several threads:

The posts look like they are designed for some kind of plug. Definitely not standard banana, because the holes are too small. If I knew what plugs fit, I could do the jumpers between the plugs (jumpers between the posts probably would interfere with inserting plugs), but first I need to know what plugs fit.

Can the speaker wire and the jumpers touch?

For 6 channel systems, you need to connect the positive speaker wire to both the top and bottom right hand posts on the rear center, and the negative wire to both the top and bottom left hand posts on the rear center.

I tried to do this with my 12 guage wire but gave up.

Retread finally got it to work by doing this:

I stripped off about an inch and a half of the insulation of my 12-guage wires, cut back about a third of the copper, tinned them, and then used needle nose pliers to force them through both holes on the two polarities. Crude, time-consuming, and curse-producing, but it finally works.

I have never "tinned" anything and wouldn't know where to begin. Frankly, I don't think I should have to.

Don't get me wrong, I am very happy with my Ventriloquist system but I would like to know the answers to these questions.


Mike

[Sasha_G]

The posts look like they are designed for some kind of plug. Definitely not standard banana, because the holes are too small. If I knew what plugs fit, I could do the jumpers between the plugs (jumpers between the posts probably would interfere with inserting plugs), but first I need to know what plugs fit.

After talking with Dr. Hsu about the types of plugs that are located on the rear, we have determined that they are not any kind of plug. They are simply too tight to fit a standard banana plug.

Can the speaker wire and the jumpers touch?
In the 6 channel setup, the speaker wire and jumpers will have to touch, and it is absolutely okay. In the 5 channel setup, they will not touch because there is no jumper.

Retread's solution:
I stripped off about an inch and a half of the insulation of my 12-guage wires, cut back about a third of the copper, tinned them, and then used needle nose pliers to force them through both holes on the two polarities. Crude, time-consuming, and curse-producing, but it finally works.

This solution may used instead of the jumper for 6 channel systems. Regardless, "tinning" is not necessary, just a nice thing that prevents frayed wires from contacting other posts. Tightly twisting the wire and inserting them will work just as well. Twisting wire is actually what is recommended in the manual anyhow.

We'll have to make the setup easier in future versions. Thanks to all your feedback, we have a good start by knowing all the issues, and as GI Joe used to say, "knowing is half the battle". ;)

[Hogues92]

Thanks for the response Sasha. I'm going to try again. As I said, I love the speakers and have already recomended them to other people. It's good to know that you guys are responsive to feedback. Thanks again,

Mike

[jwygal]

Originally posted by SonnyW
That really sounds confusing. What is top/bottom of a rear center sattlite? There is only one positive and one negative hole for each small sattlites.

Not true. Four of the satellites have two posts/holes (as you say), but the special rear satellite has four posts/holes.