DIY Speaker and Video cables using RG6?

[USMCGrunt0307]

Sup guys, obviously im new to the forum and to be honest I only spent about 15 minutes looking around for an answer...but didnt find one.

I work for a satellite television provider and have access to an insane amount of Vextra RG6, F connectors and I have the neccesary tools to prep and make coax lines of any length I wish (ive got a 1k foot box sitting in my apt...just in case)

Anyways, I was wondering if there was a way I could use the RG6 cable to make speaker wires for my surround system...like is there a connector or wall plate that will seperate the Center conductor and braid into + and - sides?

Also, ive seen DIY tutorials on how to make your own component cables...easy enough...but im wondering, does it really matter what kind of RCA fitting (is that the technical name for those fittings?) I should use, I would prefer to use compression fittings since thats the kind of tool i already have. I dont really care about numbers as long as it delivers a quality signal.

Longest run for any of these cables btw would be 100ft MAX...probably average more around 25-45 ft.

Thanks for any info. and please dont flame the newbie

 

[jinjuku]

Generally you will find that it doesn't make much sense to DIY cables. That is the sentiment you will most likely see around here. With companies like MonoPrice.com, BlueJeans, etc... out there offering quality product and great prices it doesn't make sense.

I would use speaker cable for speakers. Not video cable.

 

[Swerd]

...I was wondering if there was a way I could use the RG6 cable to make speaker wires for my surround system...like is there a connector or wall plate that will seperate the Center conductor and braid into + and - sides?

The center conductor wire in RG6 is, if I remember correctly, 22 or 24 gauge. That's good for coaxial cable, but kinda thin for speakers. Also, on some RG6, the center conductor is copper plated steel wire. This is fine for antenna or video cables, but would be poor for audio frequency signals. For speakers stick with thicker gauge copper zipcord, 14 or 12 gauge for speakers.

Also, ive seen DIY tutorials on how to make your own component cables...easy enough...but im wondering, does it really matter what kind of RCA fitting (is that the technical name for those fittings?) I should use, I would prefer to use compression fittings since thats the kind of tool i already have. I dont really care about numbers as long as it delivers a quality signal.

You'll be fine with compression RCA terminals. The method of connection doesn't matter as long as it stays connected and doesn't leak.

 

[USMCGrunt0307]

Generally you will find that it doesn't make much sense to DIY cables. That is the sentiment you will most likely see around here. With companies like MonoPrice.com, BlueJeans, etc... out there offering quality product and great prices it doesn't make sense.

I would use speaker cable for speakers. Not video cable.

I agree but generally people have to pay for tools and supplies...I dont...well I have to pay for fittings but thats it...which is rather minimal unless im looking to make a lot of cables.

 

[mike c]

you can build your own interconnects (stereo, multichannel, subwoofer) and component cables, but the the RG6 is simply not for use with speakers. (problem is the center thing is too small a gauge)

 

[jinjuku]

I agree but generally people have to pay for tools and supplies...I dont...well I have to pay for fittings but thats it...which is rather minimal unless im looking to make a lot of cables.

You asked people for their expertise and have received it. Can only lead a horse to water...

 

[USMCGrunt0307]

You asked people for their expertise and have received it. Can only lead a horse to water...

Your right I did but if someone came up to you and said it was their job to run coax lines...be it through walls, floors, or ceilings and they had access to all the line they would need at no cost and also had the prerequisite tools to do the job, you would still recommend they go and buy the lines?

 

[jaxvon]

Your right I did but if someone came up to you and said it was their job to run coax lines...be it through walls, floors, or ceilings and they had access to all the line they would need at no cost and also had the prerequisite tools to do the job, you would still recommend they go and buy the lines?

Probably not. I would recommend that you use the coax for your audio and video cables. For your speakers you should use some speaker cable, or really any good quality copper cable, 14ga or larger, that meets your needs for flexibility. For connectors, I like the Canare RCAP connectors that Blue Jeans uses. They have tight tolerances and maintain proper impedance when used with a 75-ohm coax. Westlake Electronic and Markertek are good online resources for them, and I believe they both do AFO/APO if you're stationed somewhere like, say, the Sandbox.

 

[mike c]

Your right I did but if someone came up to you and said it was their job to run coax lines...be it through walls, floors, or ceilings and they had access to all the line they would need at no cost and also had the prerequisite tools to do the job, you would still recommend they go and buy the lines?

if we are talking about speaker wire usage... yes, go buy any cord that's not coaxial wire unless you had coaxial wire that was around 12-14 gauge as the center thingy

 

[jinjuku]

Your right I did but if someone came up to you and said it was their job to run coax lines...be it through walls, floors, or ceilings and they had access to all the line they would need at no cost and also had the prerequisite tools to do the job, you would still recommend they go and buy the lines?

If I needed video cable ran, no. For high current speaker loads, yes. I have no problem using the right cabling that the job calls for. I would not waste my time, which equals money, running a cabling solution that will fall flat on its face.

 

[Rickster71]

The center conductor in RG-6 is 18 AWG.
As many have already mentioned; it's too small for speaker wire.
Enclosed is a link to an Audioholics' test of Coax cable vs. Zip cord.
http://www.audioholics.com/education/cables/cross-coax-cables-design-vs-zip-cord
I know it's tempting to use the wire you already have.
So use it for all your audio and video interconnects, as jaxvon mentioned.
With the money you will save on that; go buy some cheap 12 AWG speaker wire.
Good Luck
Rick

 

[USMCGrunt0307]

The center conductor in RG-6 is 18 AWG.
As many have already mentioned; it's too small for speaker wire.
Enclosed is a link to an Audioholics' test of Coax cable vs. Zip cord.
I know it's tempting to use the wire you already have.
So use it for all your audio and video interconnects, as jaxvon mentioned.
With the money you will save on that; go buy some cheap 12 AWG speaker wire.
Good Luck
Rick

Alright ya, I understand that 18 gauge is too small, I wasnt arguing that point when it was made...not to mention I found out today that Vextra's lines are just copper plated steel like someone had mentioned some coax lines are. I wasnt going to use the line if its no good, but I didnt know thats why I asked. Thanks for all the info guys and thanks for the recommendation on the Canare connectors Jaxvon, ill look into them.