In terms of troubleshooting audio systems, what should be checked next after confirming system gain structure?

After confirming the system gain structure, checking the speaker connections is a logical next step in troubleshooting audio systems. Ensuring that speaker connections are secure and properly wired is critical because any loose or faulty connections can lead to problems like signal loss, inadequate sound levels, or complete audio failure. A stable gain structure is essential for an audio system to operate effectively, but if the speakers are not properly connected, any audio adjustments made could be irrelevant, rendering the system non-functional or problematic.

Speaker connections can involve various elements, such as ensuring that the wires are firmly attached at both the amplifier and the speaker end, verifying that polarity is correct, and checking that there are no broken wires. Since these connections directly affect the system's performance and sound output, they should be addressed immediately after validating gain structure.

While the quality of the microphone, the acoustic environment, or the equalizer settings are also important elements in an audio system's performance, confirming the integrity of speaker connections is a fundamental and immediate step that ensures the system can transmit sound before delving into those other aspects.