The quality of the speakers is essential to listeners as smooth sound waves fascinate them. If the quality of your speaker is poor or your speaker has stopped working, you can check it using a multimeter. The resistance measurement will help you evaluate the wires’ quality and efficiency in carrying the current.
How To Test Speakers With Multimeter?
To determine the quality of the output of a speaker, you will need to use a multimeter to measure the resistance; a low or high resistance can affect the quality of the sound. To measure the resistance, adjust the multimeter settings to resistance and connect the probes to the speaker’s terminals.
Next, you will need to check the readings of the multimeter; if the reading is OL, there is a broken circuit. If there is a reading, you will need to check the maximum impedance limit of your speaker. For example, if your speaker’s impedance limit is 8 ohms, the reading should be 8 ohms or less.
The speaker impedance is usually higher than the resistance by 15% due to the added reactance factor. The multimeter doesn’t have an option for impedance; therefore, the resistance reading is considered the impedance reading. The impedance is measured on AC, but the multimeter provides DC through its batteries.
Detailed Guide on How To Test Speakers With Multimeter
1- Remove the Speaker from The Device or Case
Power off the speakers and disconnect them from any power source, then remove them from the device or cases to investigate them properly. If the input wires of the speakers are not permanently connected to the speakers (soldered), disconnect them to allow a more accurate reading.
2- Adjust the Multimeter Settings
You will use the multimeter to measure the resistance of the speakers; therefore, you need to adjust the settings of your multimeter to the resistance setting. Then, set the minimum resistance range through the dial, for example, 20 ohms. Connect the probes of the multimeter to the input terminals of the speakers. The resistance is non-directional, so you can connect the multimeter’s probes in any sequence.
3- Check the Multimeter Readings
Check the readings of the multimeter and then compare them to the speakers’ maximum resistance range; for example, if you have regular home speakers, their maximum resistance range is between four to eight ohms. To find your speaker’s maximum resistance range, check the label on its back or manual.
The resistance reading provided by your multimeter should be below the maximum resistance range of your speakers to ensure the best sound quality. If you find that the reading of the multimeter is above the maximum resistance range, then faulty wiring affects the flow of current through the speakers.
If the reading of the multimeter is OL, there is no continuity or a short circuit that can be responsible for the failure of the speakers. Speakers with short circuits usually will not produce any sound.
How to Test the Speakers’ Polarity?
You can test the speaker’s polarity using several ways, like using color code, a multimeter, or a battery. Testing the polarity of speakers’ wires is to identify the positive and negative terminals of the speakers. This can be done using color codes and signs, where the red colored-wire is the positive wire.
Meanwhile, the black-colored wire is the negative wire; you may also find some positive and negative signs on the wires identifying which wire is which. The next test is to use a multimeter to do a voltage test, set the multimeter to AC voltage, and connect the multimeter probes to the input terminals.
If your multimeter displays a positive reading, then the wire connected to the red probe of the multimeter is the positive wire, and the wire connected to the black probe of the multimeter is the negative wire. If the multimeter displays a negative reading, then the wire connected to the red probe of the multimeter is the negative wire.
Meanwhile, the wire connected to the black probe of the multimeter is the positive wire. The last test to test the polarity of your speakers is the battery test; connect the speakers’ wires to a battery with a voltage of fewer than 9 volts. If the cone of the speakers moves outwards, then the wire connected to the battery’s positive pole is the positive wire.
And the wire connected to the negative pole of the battery is the negative wire. If the cone of the battery moves inward, then the wire connected to the battery’s positive pole is the negative wire, and the wire connected to the negative pole of the battery is the negative wire.
How to Measure the Wattage of a Speaker with a Multimeter?
The wattage of a speaker is the multiplication of its voltage and amperes; therefore, you will need to know the voltage and amperes of your speakers. You can measure the voltage of your speaker by using the multimeter and adjusting the multimeter settings to AC voltage.
Connect the multimeter’s probes to the amplifier’s output terminals; they are the terminals where the speakers’ leads are connected. Next, play music with a constant frequency, for example, 50 Hz at maximum volume. Check the highest voltage reading displayed on your multimeter.
You can know the amperes of your speakers by checking the label on the speakers’ backside or the speakers manual. After you have known the amperes and the voltage of your speakers, multiply them together to calculate the wattage of your speaker. You can also measure the resistance between both speakers’ wires and use the formula V2/R to calculate the wattage of the speakers.
How to Test Car Speakers with a Multimeter?
First, you will need to remove the speakers from your car and check the maximum resistance range on the side of the speakers. Then, adjust your multimeter to resistance settings and set the minimum range of the resistance. The car speakers are similar to any normal speakers it will have terminal wires.
Connect the probes of your multimeter to the terminals of your car speaker, then check the reading on the multimeter. If the multimeter shows OL or “1” reading, then your speakers are faulty; this can be due to a short circuit in the speaker or bad wiring.
If the multimeter shows a reading, you will need to ensure the reading is below the resistance range stated on the label of your car speaker. If the resistance is higher than the range allowed by the speaker, it will affect your speaker’s sound quality.
Conclusion
To summarize, the quality of your speakers’ sound is essential as you will enjoy smooth sound waves than noisy ones. Low or high resistance can affect your speaker’s sound quality; therefore, you should check if the resistance in your speaker is above the maximum resistance range.
You can check the resistance of your speaker by using a multimeter; you will need first to remove or disconnect the speaker from the device or case. Then, disconnect the speakers from any power source, and adjust the multimeter settings to the resistance setting to measure the resistance.
Connect the multimeter’s probes to the speakers’ terminals and check the readings displayed by the multimeter. If the reading is OL or 1, then there is no continuity which means a broken circuit. If the reading is in ohms, you will need to ensure that it’s within the range of the maximum resistance of your speakers; you can find it stated on the backside label.
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