... and should be less of a trip hazard. I made my cables with orange mains flex - in the UK hardware stores sell a 2-core version for strimmers, hedge trimmers, etc.
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Speaker Wire
- Thread starter TheHook
- Start date
... and should be less of a trip hazard. I made my cables with orange mains flex - in the UK hardware stores sell a 2-core version for strimmers, hedge trimmers, etc.
Not making my own speaker cables at this point, but out of curiosity - why is it bad to tin the wire?
Is that true for 1/4” connectors too or is it specific to speakon?
Don't tin the wires going into any binding or screw-type terminal. DO tin the wires being soldered to any sort of connector.
Don't waste your time and money!! You can buy pro-grade speaker cables from MonoPrice for less than making them yourself. YES they come from China, but it is their own factory and the quality is tip-top. We have several with never an issue.
Check 'em out. A 10 footer, 12 GA with NL4 connectors - $10! You can't beat that.
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FWIW, the speaker cable here is fine quality, I use Monoprice for a lot of stuff and have always been satisfied, but those are not genuine Neutrik SpeakON jacks, which many more knowledgeable and trusted folks on here say it's very important to use.
Al Kraft
Supporting Member
- May 2, 2016
- 10,770
- 40,445
- Disclosures
- Mesa Boogie beta product tester and player support
Any time you have a screw-on type (mechanical pressure) connection it is generally not a good idea to tin the wire. The reason is that the solder can (and often will) creep over time because of the pressure and loosen the connection. Solder is meant to be a connection method, not to hold up under the pressure of being connected. I said that poorly, but hopefully you get the point.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed] and will improve your tone. Don't see how folks can play without it.
Must be high performance cables, says so right on the jacket.
You weren't kidding! THIS must be the pro's secret to getting that thicccness...
^ This one if you are a peasant.
^ This one if you really actually care about what you sound like
It is hard to fathom selling that with a clear conscience. I found other sites selling ethernet cables "optimized for streaming" for thousands of dollars... or $500 usb cables. I think one of the audio snake oil sites had an $80,000 power cable. Fools...
I'm trying to put myself into the headspace of "Yeah, the hi-fi fine I guess. But wouldn't it be better if it cost over a million? Just for kicks?"
Sounds like an early retirement plan to me. Hire some marketing folks that can convince billionaires that to really have a prestigious hifi system, they need our million dollar cables...
Since it's gone this long without saying: Monoprice does not use genuine Neutrik NL4 Speakon connectors. There are several threads in this forum citing the problems with non-Neutrik connectors, and mentioning Monoprice in particular. Just sayin'... not intending to dis' anyone's previous good results. I actually don't have any Monoprice stuff -- after looking at some of their audio interface connectors and adapters a few years ago, I ruled them out as a potential source. Other folks may have had better results, but I wouldn't risk it.
I also have terrific luck with . . .
Bayou Audio Cables (bayoucables.com)
Butch runs a great one man shop, exceptionally qualified with USN and NASA experience as an electronic tech, and makes great cables to order. Now if only I could justify driving down to Baton Rouge to pick my occasional order up in person !
Bayou Audio Cables (bayoucables.com)
Butch runs a great one man shop, exceptionally qualified with USN and NASA experience as an electronic tech, and makes great cables to order. Now if only I could justify driving down to Baton Rouge to pick my occasional order up in person !
- Feb 12, 2006
- 60,981
- 5
- 220,746
- Disclosures
- Development Engineer-Mesa Boogie, Development Engineer-Genzler (pedals), Product Support-Genz Benz
most vacuum cleaner rated cordage is 18 gauge with a thin jacket that will not clamp into a standard Nuetrik SpeakOn plug.
Don't waste your time and money!! You can buy pro-grade speaker cables from MonoPrice for less than making them yourself. YES they come from China, but it is their own factory and the quality is tip-top. We have several with never an issue.
Check 'em out. A 10 footer, 12 GA with NL4 connectors - $10! You can't beat that.
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one of the brand’s knock-off plugs that I see regularly causing problems for players and ruining mating jacks.
Only for pressure type connections. Under pressure, the solder cold-flows and the connections loosen.
The Speakon binding "posts" are designed to crush & deform stranded wire. Tinning essentially defeats this function.
Riis
I use free range Speakon connectors. Every time I need one they seem to be somewhere other than where I remember leaving them.You forgot "ethically acquired, free range copper", you animal!
I second this . Great hand made cables with very good parts . Butch is a good no BS dude . Speaker cable aren't that critical as long as you get Neutric Speakon connectors and at least 16 gauge cable but for your bass to amp cable it's good to have quality cable and jacks that will take a beating and stay quiet and that's what Butch supplies . Monsters are overpriced and have oversized jacks that can cause problems .
