Speaker wiring might seem straightforward, but understanding the color codes for various cable types and connectors is crucial for maintaining proper polarity and ensuring high-quality sound. In this blog, we’ll break down the common speaker wire color codes and their corresponding connections.

What Is Speaker Wire Color Coding?

Speaker wire color coding is used to identify the positive (+) and negative (-) conductors in speaker cables. This standardization ensures the correct alignment between audio amplifiers and speakers, preventing phase issues that can degrade sound quality. Color codes differ based on the cable type, configuration, and connector.

Color-coding for speaker wires helps identify correct cable polarity, simplify installations, and follow industry standards.

Basic Two-Conductor Speaker Wire

For most home audio systems or simple setups, two-conductor speaker wires (NL2) are used. These cables typically have:

• Red: Positive (+)
• Black: Negative (-)

Alternative combinations may include:

• White/Black: Common in some systems.
• Red/Blue or Green/Blue: Found in custom or legacy setups.

This is the simplest and most widely used setup for passive speakers in home and small venue audio systems.

The infographic below shows standard two-conductor and multi-conductor color codes:

Multi-Conductor Cables for Professional Audio

In professional audio systems, multi-conductor cables (NL4 or NL8) are used for more complex setups, such as bi-amping or multi-driver speaker systems. These cables allow multiple signals to be sent through a single connection, reducing cable clutter.

• NL4 (4-Conductor):
• Black (+1) / White (-1)
• Red (+2) / Green (-2)
• Used in bi-amping setups where different frequency ranges (e.g., lows and highs) are sent to separate drivers.
• Pin 1+ and Pin 1- are typically used for one driver, while Pin 2+ and Pin 2- are used for another, with colors Black/White and Red/Green.
• NL8 (8-Conductor):
• Pin 1+: Black, Pin 1-: White
• Pin 2+: Red, Pin 2-: Green
• Pin 3+: Brown, Pin 3-: Blue
• Pin 4+: Orange, Pin 4-: Yellow
• NL8 cables are designed to handle multiple audio channels in a single cable, making them ideal for line arrays or large-format speaker systems used in concerts, festivals, and live events.

This visual guide below explains how each connector (NL2, NL4, NL8) corresponds to its respective pin assignments and wire colors:

Special Configurations: Power Series Cables

For high-power setups, such as live performances or large venues, power Series cables are used. These cables often feature thicker conductors (e.g., 14-gauge) and distinct color codes:

• Speaker 1: Orange (+), Red (-)
• Speaker 2: White (+), Green (-)

This configuration supports multiple speakers with minimal signal loss.

At Nassau National Cable, you can find different types of speaker wire at excellent prices.