Cabinet Speakers Installation Instructions

Standard Bare Wire Connection

All of our Level THREE Bookshelf, Center, and Tower Speakers include two pairs of 5-way gold-plated binding post connections. Two pairs of binding posts allow for a standard connection (shown left) or a bi-wire or bi-amp connection (read more below). 5-way binding posts allow for your cable to be connected by either: 1. bare wire (shown left), 2. spade connectors, 3. pin connectors, 4. individual banana plugs, or 5. dual banana plugs (shown below).

About 75% of our customers connect using a standard connection and 25% prefer to bi-wire or bi-amp. With a standard connection, you simply run good quality 2-conductor cable to each speaker. The gold-plated jumpers (included and pre-installed with every Level THREE speaker) are kept in place to connect the top binding posts with the bottom binding posts. One of the two conductors is connected to the positive side and the other conductor is connected to the negative side. It is important that the cable run between each speaker and its amplifier channel maintain the same polarity, i.e. positive to positive and negative to negative. If two speakers are connected and one speaker is wired with reverse polarity (called "out of phase"), the sound from the two speakers will essentially cancel each other out.

Bi-Wire Connection with Dual Banana Plugs

Many audiophiles (self-proclaimed home audio enthusiasts/experts) will only connect speakers using bi-wire or bi-amping. The benefit to most listeners is negligible and not worth the additional cost. But to audio-purists, even the slightest improvement can make all the difference to their listening experience.

Bi-wiring is the most affordable option because it can be done from any amplifier (receiver) and your only additional expense is some special cable. Bi-wiring utilizes the same amplifier channel to power the tweeter (high frequencies) and mid-low range drivers (mid-low frequencies). On our Level THREE speakers, the upper binding posts send the signal through the crossover and more directly to the tweeter. The lower binding posts send the signal through the crossover and more directly to the mid-low range drivers.

While some benefit is gained by simply "doubling" the amount of cable, the real benefit of bi-wiring is achieved when a special type of cable is used to transfer the high frequency signal and another type is used for the mid-low frequencies. HTD bi-wire cable uses 14 gauge silver-plated copper for the high frequencies and 11 gauge copper for the mid-low frequencies (read more). At the amplifier, the two positive cables are connected together to the positive post and the two negative cables are connected together to the negative post.

Bi-amping takes this one step further and uses one amplifier solely for the tweeter and a separate amplifier solely for the mid-low range drivers. This is a much more expensive option and because the benefit is not dramatic or even noticeable to most listeners, it is only recommended for audiophiles who can justify the performance to cost ratio.

Mounting Speakers with Flush-Mount Wall Bracket (Middy and Panel Speakers Only)

To mount HTD cabinet speakers using the flush-mounted wall bracket, securely attach one 3/16" flathead screw (not included) into your wall with the screw head approx. 1/8" from wall. Mount the speaker bracket onto the screws as shown.

TIP: To mount the HTD Panel Speaker, securely attach two 3/16” flathead screws (not included) into your wall spaced 12 1/2” apart and with the screw head approx. 1/8” from wall. Mount the brackets onto the screws as shown.

HTD offers optional wall-mount speaker brackets and stands that are ideal for the perfect speaker placement. Panel and center channel speakers are equipped with hardware on the back that allow for easy attachment to a wall-mount bracket. This hardware should be left in place even if you are NOT using the brackets. Removing this hardware may cause "whistling" through the open holes. Do not over tighten as stripping of the threaded nut inside the cabinet can occur. Should the nut become stripped, the speaker mounting has been jeopardized and the speaker should NOT be hung. More detailed instructions are provided with both the brackets and stands.