Subwoofer cabling question

[crayfellow]

Hi all,

In order for the highest degree of wife-friendliness in my basement finishing project, I have run all cabling through the walls prior to sheetrock.

One oversight, though, is the subwoofer. I tried to be as flexible as possible, running audio channels anywhere I thought they might be useful. The corner I want to use for the subwoofer has a channel of audio run to it with a faceplate in the perfect spot. However, it is just speaker cable, not RCA/coax cable.

I want to use RCA keystone jacks for the receiver end and the sub end, so they are on their way. However, if I "fake" the RCA ends by patching in the speaker cable I have running through the walls will it work [I know it will 'work' electrically but will there be any issues]? Does "RCA" truly need coaxial cable? I wouldn't think so, since it is just a line-level audio signal to be amplified by the sub, but I thought I would ask the experts.

Will I be Okay?

Background info: sub signal is running from pre-out on a Denon 2307 to a Hsu STF-1.

Thank you!
-Patrick

 

[markw]

It should work. The only possible drawback might be some noise/hum pickup from outside sources, which coax prevents. Remember, I said "might", not "will".

But give it a go. It's already there.

You do know you can use RG6 or RG 59 (cable or antenna lead) for this app, don't you?

 

[crayfellow]

yup, but my walls have speaker cable, not RG6

Thanks for the response. I figured that was the case. I'm gonna give it a go with a couple-foot long cable first then try it downstairs with the full run.

 

[jcPanny]

Sub wiring

You might run a couple extra RG6 cables to different locations so you can experiment with the sub locations. Cable is cheap and easy to install BEFORE drywall.

Also, for a dedicated basement HT, you might want more sub than the STF-1. Check out the 12" subs from SVS or HSU.

 

[crayfellow]

You might run a couple extra RG6 cables to different locations so you can experiment with the sub locations. Cable is cheap and easy to install BEFORE drywall.

Also, for a dedicated basement HT, you might want more sub than the STF-1. Check out the 12" subs from SVS or HSU.

true on both counts, but I have the HSU already and like it fine, can always switch later.

As for running more RG6, unfortunately that's not an option. Drywall and paint is already done! Trust me, if drywall were not up yet I wouldn't be asking this question, I'd already have a couple runs of coax in place..

thanks for your input,
-Patrick

 

[memonmz]

Hmmm this is actually I question i've had myself for my pre-wired gameroom. I actually think my builder ran Rg6 or coax cable but its just bare ends on both sides, how can I turn the bare ends into rca ends? Just crimp rca's to both sides? Anyone got a link or a place they can recommend that sells crimpable RCA ends, the wire they ran looks to be either 8guage or 4guage with all teh shielding around it.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Home Depot

Hmmm this is actually I question i've had myself for my pre-wired gameroom. I actually think my builder ran Rg6 or coax cable but its just bare ends on both sides, how can I turn the bare ends into rca ends? Just crimp rca's to both sides? Anyone got a link or a place they can recommend that sells crimpable RCA ends, the wire they ran looks to be either 8guage or 4guage with all teh shielding around it.

 

[mtrycrafts]

Hmmm this is actually I question i've had myself for my pre-wired gameroom. I actually think my builder ran Rg6 or coax cable but its just bare ends on both sides, how can I turn the bare ends into rca ends? Just crimp rca's to both sides? Anyone got a link or a place they can recommend that sells crimpable RCA ends, the wire they ran looks to be either 8guage or 4guage with all teh shielding around it.

If you have an RG type cable, it might be easier to use a compatible RG type F connector then just use and F to RCA adaptor.

 

[cruiseoveride]

If I was you, I would have used small PVC pipes in the walls instead of actually placing cables into the wall.

With a PVC pipe in the wall, all you need is a roll of steel trace to attach your cable and thread it into the pipe.

Well what can i say, father was a civil engineer.

Could you post a picture of the cable sticking out of the wall, so we can see how thick it is?

 

[patnshan]

If you have an RG type cable, it might be easier to use a compatible RG type F connector then just use and F to RCA adaptor.

Yep. I used this method after cutting off the ends of a preterminated component cable, than wishing I hadn't It works perfectly fine.
I found that if you want crimp RCA connectors, you are looking at $100 plus crimping tool to do it right. Cheap crimpers work on the F type connectors.

Pat

 

[memonmz]

Thanks guys I really appreciate teh input so basically I get a twist on Coax end and crimp that to the wire I have and than get a coax to RCA adaptor? And home depot shoudl sell all this stuff? I'm gonna swing by there after work and see what I can turn up

 

[jcPanny]

Coax connections

Some wall plates have a F-type connector on one side and RCA on the other and would work well for your application.

For adapters, check monoprice and parts express. Home Depot might not have them.

 

[memonmz]

Can someone please provide me with some links to what I need exactly, I tried searching monoprice and partsexpress but couldn't find what I thought I needed. Thanks

 

[MDS]

http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&Partnumber=261-400

If you like the decora style wall plates (the insert is separate from the plate) you'd get the insert pictured in the link and the wall plate to go around it. The wall plate, but not the insert, is also available at Home Depot. The easiest way to find the adapters on the PE site is to type 'decora' into the search box and then click on the various wall plates and inserts and look at the related items sections.

You then have these choices for connectors (shown in the related items section):

1. Gold RCA Female to F Female w/Nut
I had a problem with one of these as they are very tight and I couldn't get the pin into it without excessive force. One of them fit nicely and the other just wouldn't accept the pin from my RG6 cable. I abandoned them and went with option 2.

2. Gold F Female to F Female w/Nut. Then get an F to RCA adapter:http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&Partnumber=090-367

Twist-on or Crimp-on F connectors are OK but the compression type are far better. Since this will be a one time job you might just want to call an AV installer or the cable company and have them come out and terminate the cable with F compression connectors. The cost will be about the same as buying the parts and tools to do it yourself.

 

[memonmz]

I e-mailed parts express with what I was looking to do and this is what he suggested to me

http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&Partnumber=091-1060

Would this work? I have crimpers at home, they'r not like huge industrial strength ones though, just some regular everyday use ones that i believe have slots for up to 16 guage. Could I get away with those crimpers or would i need other ones?

 

[patnshan]

I got the F-connectors (crimp type), crimper, and the F connector to RCA adaptors at home depot.

Pat

 

[patnshan]

I e-mailed parts express with what I was looking to do and this is what he suggested to me

http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&Partnumber=091-1060

Would this work? I have crimpers at home, they'r not like huge industrial strength ones though, just some regular everyday use ones that i believe have slots for up to 16 guage. Could I get away with those crimpers or would i need other ones?

The connectors look like it would work just fine. I am not sure about the crimpers you describe, I'd ask them. This is actually the reason I did the F-type to RCA thing. I couldn't find RCA adaptors that would work with my regular coax crimpers.

Pat