Spliceing speaker wire

[Beginner 1960]

I have some speaker wire already installed running thur the house to outside. Was wondering if I splice the wire to make it longer will it degade the sound and if so would it be much? Thanks for the info!

 

[markw]

It shouldn't affect the sound if you do it right. I suggest either using crimped butt plugs or twisting the two ends tightly, soldering the connection, and wrapping it with electrical tape to keep any water/contamination away from the connetion.. And, yes, this can be done neatly if you're careful.

 

[mtrycrafts]

I have some speaker wire already installed running thur the house to outside. Was wondering if I splice the wire to make it longer will it degade the sound and if so would it be much? Thanks for the info!

Just one safety addition I'd like to make: stagger the joints for reduced possibility of shorting.

 

[Alex2507]

Just one safety addition I'd like to make: stagger the joints for reduced possibility of shorting.

Somebody had a nice little diagram of what that means.
That might be helpful.

 

[Haoleb]

The best way to do it is by using a splice called the western union, then soldering it and covering in heat shrink tubing..

Depending on wire gauge you'll likely need a soldering gun (with 100+ watts) vs a simple iron to get a good joint.

When done properly this is about as ideal of a splice as you can get. Butt splice connectors or anything of that sort is a pretty poor splice even if it is easy.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

I just twisted the ends together and slapped electrical tape on the wires going to my outdoor speakers. They have worked fine for 3 years.

I would never do this with my good stuff inside but I pride myself on using cheap stuff on my outside set up.

 

[BMXTRIX]

Realistically, only in near perfect environments would you have a hope of detecting any difference in quality when using or not using a splice in the wiring. Yes, there are a dozen ways to do it, and if you really want to go through the headache of soldering and the whole nine yards, then by all means do so.

But, at the end of the day, if the connections aren't environmentally exposed (outside), then you won't have any issues with basic wire nuts from your local hardware store. They are really cheap, and work really well.

If the splice is outdoors, especially to outdoor speakers, make sure to get some decent outdoor speaker cable and I would use waterproof, direct burial type, wire nuts.

Ran across this site the other day and it seems like it covers some nice bases...
http://www.outdoorspeakerdepot.com/

 

[lsiberian]

The best way to do it is by using a splice called the western union, then soldering it and covering in heat shrink tubing..

Depending on wire gauge you'll likely need a soldering gun (with 100+ watts) vs a simple iron to get a good joint.

When done properly this is about as ideal of a splice as you can get. Butt splice connectors or anything of that sort is a pretty poor splice even if it is easy.

I consider this to be overkill for the average joe.

100 watt iron?

This is not a mission critical engineering deal it's an outdoor speaker. KISS.

I suggest BMX's approach or PDawg's approach.

 

[BMXTRIX]

I do want to add/emphasize: If this is outdoors, the splice is FAR less critical than two things.

1. Make sure that you use weatherproof/direct burial capable coverings. Any water that gets in will be compounded by more water getting in and oxidation will occur and the cable will fail sooner rather than later.

2. Make sure that the splice location, wherever it is, can be accessed at a later time in case you do have a failure and it needs to be replaced.

 

[Beginner 1960]

Thanks for the info guys just some cheap out door speakers that I've had for a while and wanted to use.

 

[BMXTRIX]

Good plan - go for it!

I would recommend the direct burial cable available through the link I listed (or any other site you find) and then some water/weather proof wire nuts.

Make sure you leave several feet of extra cable at BOTH ENDS! When/if the connection goes bad, you can just chop off a foot of cabling and put things back together without worry of running out of cable.

 

[Haoleb]

I consider this to be overkill for the average joe.

100 watt iron?

This is not a mission critical engineering deal it's an outdoor speaker. KISS.

I suggest BMX's approach or PDawg's approach.

Outdoor speakers or not, This is the best way to do it. Perhaps I am a bit picky but I like to do things the right way, No matter how critical they are, And generally try to suggest the same.

 

[lsiberian]

Outdoor speakers or not, This is the best way to do it. Perhaps I am a bit picky but I like to do things the right way, No matter how critical they are, And generally try to suggest the same.

It's a very elegant solution and certianly would work very nicely. Would be worth of pics for sure.

 

[Beginner 1960]

bad news my old reciver died comeing from up stairs to the basement so what would be a good cheap 2 channel reciver for around $200 or so. I have a mp3 player that I would luv to be able to hook to it it is not a ipod. Sorry didn't want to start a new post!any info would be appreated thanks!