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Fabricating Speaker Cables

padenski

padenski

Feb 19, 2008
110
0
Landenberg, PA
www.myspace.com
#1
Hey all:
In the past I have bought what's commonly referred to as "SO" cable for use as speaker wire. It is a 14AWG 2 conductor wire that appears to be identical to speaker wire. You can purchase this at HD or Lowes for about $0.44/ft for a 150 ft roll, or a little more for less. I can buy the Neutrix/Speakon connectors at a decent price making the cable inexpensive. In then end a 50ft cable would cost about $28 versus $50+ retail.

Does anyone see a problem using this? I have never experienced a problem using this cable with 1/4 connectors in the past. This type of cable is most commonly use for power cords on tools. My thinking is the AWG is the same as speaker wire and therefore should not be issue.

Here is description from McMaster Carr http://www.mcmaster.com/#7422k62/=3qevv6

Thoughts.....
 
#6
I was thinking of making a set of 25' and a set of 50'. Therefore on the odd chance I could join the two together to make a 75', but only if REALLY needed. I did order 2 Neutriks couplings to do so.

The non-Neutrik speakon I assembled once had ferrules to solder on the wire ends and these wire ends were then crimped to the pins with an Allen set screw. Very easy and secure connection. Virtually no strain on the connections as the barrel squeezes a 3 legged plastic crimp about an inch away from the cable end.

I was looking to find 12/2 wire, but there seems to be pretty significant cost difference. <$0.50/ft compared to over $1/ft.

Anyone found a decent place to order wire?
 
#7
padenski said:
I was thinking of making a set of 25' and a set of 50'. Therefore on the odd chance I could join the two together to make a 75', but only if REALLY needed. I did order 2 Neutriks couplings to do so.

The non-Neutrik speakon I assembled once had ferrules to solder on the wire ends and these wire ends were then crimped to the pins with an Allen set screw. Very easy and secure connection. Virtually no strain on the connections as the barrel squeezes a 3 legged plastic crimp about an inch away from the cable end.

I was looking to find 12/2 wire, but there seems to be pretty significant cost difference. <$0.50/ft compared to over $1/ft.

Anyone found a decent place to order wire?
Click to expand...

Try this...it actually lives up to the hype:

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Riis
 
#8
Zooberwerx said:
Are these the screw-type connections? If so, no soldering or tinning is required.

Riis
Click to expand...
Yes... he did mention "Speakon connectors" didn't he...yes he sure did. They do screw together don't they? But I'm also aware that the actual raw copper strands are most likely gonna be crimped tightly into "spade lugs" connectors/ends for internal pinning...correct? (i.e.) for various polarity options and what not?
 
#9
Rattman said:
Yes... he did mention "Speakon connectors" didn't he...yes he sure did. They do screw together don't they? But I'm also aware that the actual raw copper strands are most likely gonna be crimped tightly into "spade lugs" connectors/ends for internal pinning...correct? (i.e.) for various polarity options and what not?
Click to expand...

The Speakons accept the bare stranded wire and are "clamped" into place with small PH assemblies. No additional lugs or crimped end-pins are required. For that fact, I believe the stranded wire flattens while being tightened, improving contact....or so I'm told. The 13 gauge just barely fits making for a very snug, secure connection.

I painted the bridged Speakon connectors with salmon acrylic paint from Mrs. Zooberwerx's art studio.

Riis
 
#11
Zooberwerx said:
The Speakons accept the bare stranded wire and are "clamped" into place with small PH assemblies. No additional lugs or crimped end-pins are required. For that fact, I believe the stranded wire flattens while being tightened, improving contact....or so I'm told. The 13 gauge just barely fits making for a very snug, secure connection.

Riis
Click to expand...

Yes, I've had better luck NOT tinning wires used with screw-type speakons too (and it makes more sense to have as much surface contact vs. a tinned end that will limit that). I use the 13ga./4C for mains (if the speaker is biampable) and the 11ga./2C for subs. Never had a single issue with it.
 
#16
+ 1 for not tinning the ends on the speakon connectors. Not only do you not need to to begin with, tinning the ends increases the chance that it will fail over time. The stranded wire un tinned is more flexable, and the tinned parts can simply break over time/usage.
11 or 12 guage is highly recommended. 14 is a little small. YMMV.
 
#17
Bob Lee (QSC) said:
That should work fine.

To keep the clamped wires within the Speakon connectors from loosening over time, don't tin them.
Click to expand...

yup, the strain release should be tight enough to where you'll never have any problems.


I get my Speakon stuff from www.speakerhardware.com (shameless plug, Leland has treated me well as a customer)

Wire is sourced from a local electrical house. I get 16ga sj for $.23/foot, 14 ga. a little bit more (16 is good enough for me for 25 foot runs) Usually they only stock 3 conductor in-house, so thats what I end up with - not a problem, and if your in a power bind, having a couple of random hubble connectors in the gig bag will come in handy.


On a completely un-related note, What happened to the "J-con" adapters from a few years back - cool concept, horrible Idea.
 
#18
Monomer said:
yup, the strain relief should be tight enough to where you'll never have any problems.
Click to expand...

The strain relief clamps onto the jacket or insulation and is not at issue. The issue with tinning is that solder under pressure will cold flow, so the terminals, which use screws to clamp onto the wire conductors, will loosen after a while. Tinning a wire end is fine if its terminal uses spring pressure, but that's not the case in a Speakon plug.

On a completely un-related note, What happened to the "J-con" adapters from a few years back - cool concept, horrible Idea.
Click to expand...

:D I saw their booth at a NAMM show some years ago. It was pretty bizarre to see things like a 1/4" plug mated to an AC plug. There's a recipe for disaster. I suspect (and hope) that the company went away quietly.
 

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