Speaker cable grounding question

[PolkaHero]

In my current rig, I'm running speaker cables that require a banana plug on one end and a 1/4" plug on the other end. On the 1/4" plug, is the outside metal flange the ground? That's how I have them wired right now, but something sounded out of phase when I had everything hooked up so I'm having some doubts. Thanks!

 

[tadawson]

In my current rig, I'm running speaker cables that require a banana plug on one end and a 1/4" plug on the other end. On the 1/4" plug, is the outside metal flange the ground? That's how I have them wired right now, but something sounded out of phase when I had everything hooked up so I'm having some doubts. Thanks!

Yes - the sleeve or "barrel" of the 1/4 is the "-" lead (there is really no true ground in a speaker cable - in some amps, both leads float, and also in bridged configs). Unless you have a second cab wired the reverse of the first, it is also impossible to get phasing problems with a single speaker . . . . if you have two cables and they differ, THEN you will have an audible problem! So, it's plus (or red) to the center pin of the 1/4" and negative (or black) to the sleeve. If you want to test without rewiring, just flip the bananna end over at the amp, and see if things improve. If so, then change it.

- Tim