Break in Speaker Wire - replace with new?

[bens0472]

Hi everyone,

I'm rewiring my rear surrounds. I have two spools of speaker cable, but after wiring one, I realized that I don't have enough in a single run to wire the second; however, I do have enough if I connect two lengths of cable with wire nuts. Is this advisable or will the connection significantly degrade the sound quality or cause any safety concerns?

Many thanks,
Ben

 

[markw]

not to worry

As long as the join is clean, tight, and there's no possibility of shorts (well insulated) you'll be fine.

FWIW, I always stagger the joins by about two inches. This virtually guarantees no shorts, ever.

 

[Rickster71]

I agree with Mark.
Some small wire nuts would work well too.

 

[bens0472]

As long as the join is clean, tight, and there's no possibility of shorts (well insulated) you'll be fine.

FWIW, I always stagger the joins by about two inches. This virtually guarantees no shorts, ever.

Awesome. Thanks for the help. One very ignorant question, though...what do you mean when you say that you stagger the joins?

Thanks,
Ben

 

[Alex2507]

The 2" stagger would be the + and - wires not being cut at the same spot but with one being longer than the other. That way the splice is offset or staggered.

 

[orAgon]

I would go one step further by soldering the connections and insulating the joints with heat shrink. It will give you a better electrical connection/better mechanical integrity and a much cleaner look.

 

[gene]

Just watch out for strand jumping

 

[jagxtype]

I would go one step further by soldering the connections and insulating the joints with heat shrink. It will give you a better electrical connection/better mechanical integrity and a much cleaner look.

I was waiting to read down to this. Make sure that you stagger the connection and heat shrink is a must. If your not sure how to solder a stranded wired in a splice look it up on google.

 

[bens0472]

I was waiting to read down to this. Make sure that you stagger the connection and heat shrink is a must. If your not sure how to solder a stranded wired in a splice look it up on google.

Thanks, especially, for the diagram (I was hoping someone would do that!).

 

[Haoleb]

As someone already suggested I would reccomend you solder them together instead. Wire nuts dont work very well on stranded wire. If you dont want to solder them at least use butt connectors and properly crimp them.