DIY Speaker Cables

[radridd]

Making some 10ft. speaker cables this coming weekend as a rainy weekend project. I will be using canare 4S11 cable, techflex, with banana plugs. Cannot decide if I want to build Bi-wire or single connection cables. Not looking for any audible improvement but leaning toward bi-wire (looks cool) and removing the speaker binding straps. I guess I could flip a coin. Pros/Cons?

 

[j_garcia]

Cons = more connectors to pay for with no added benefit.

 

[Alex2507]

Pros = irks the purists.

 

[radridd]

Pros = irks the purists.

So does most of my gear. Ha!

 

[j_garcia]

I just built my 4S11 cables about 2 weeks ago. I combined the reds and whites into single connectors. So one of the things you would need to look at is whether or not the connectors you are going to use support two 14awg wires. I used the BJC locking connetors and you have to strip it back pretty far for it to fit. I didn't use Techflex on mine, but I may go back and do it at some point. I don't have my charger for my camera so I can't take pics at the moment.

 

[radridd]

I just built my 4S11 cables about 2 weeks ago. I combined the reds and whites into single connectors. So one of the things you would need to look at is whether or not the connectors you are going to use support two 14awg wires. I used the BJC locking connetors and you have to strip it back pretty far for it to fit. I didn't use Techflex on mine, but I may go back and do it at some point. I don't have my charger for my camera so I can't take pics at the moment.

My connectors will accept up to 10 gauge wire. I am hoping they will accept the two 14 gauge wires. If you get pics please post.

 

[Alex2507]

My connectors will accept up to 10 gauge wire. I am hoping they will accept the two 14 gauge wires. If you get pics please post.

Two 14 gauge wire has the equivalent cross section of an 11 gauge so you should be good.

 

[HedgeHog]

I built my own for fun and since I know it serves no benefits, I did a dual-run Belden 10ga bi-wire for that garden hose look. For the bananas to fit two of those on the amp end, I used GLS Audio locking banana plugs (which I think are the same as the BJC ones).

Anyhoo, good luck and have fun. BTW, those TechFlex are difficult (for me) to gauge insofar as how long one needs them. The stretching and heat shortens their length quite a bit.

Cheers,
-H

 

[billy p]

Just orderd some DIY supplies and will attemp to build my own. The one thing about tech flex is the more it stretches the shorter it becomes. Therfore, buy it as close the outer diameter of the wire your using.

Just my 2 cents.....

 

[j_garcia]

Phone cam pic:

 

[sawzalot]

I for one would really like to see more members post pics of their DIY speaker cables , maybe a little tutorial and a how to as I would like to make some that would be worthy of pics and need some guidance..

 

[Alex2507]

I for one would really like to see more members post pics of their DIY speaker cables , maybe a little tutorial and a how to as I would like to make some that would be worthy of pics and need some guidance..

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=52023

 

[sawzalot]

Thanks Monkey, I looked for that and completely missed it I found the one with the cat 5 cables which seemed somewhat different

 

[billy p]

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=52023

Just hope mine look as good, but after seeing those pic's my mind started racing....

 

[sawzalot]

Just hope mine look as good, but after seeing those pic's my mind started racing....

I am sure your cables will look just as good, now stop your racing and post some pics so I can get more ideas,

 

[billy p]

I am sure your cables will look just as good, now stop your racing and post some pics so I can get more ideas,

I had to order my stuff from parts..press the shipping cost more than the material...lol.

 

[radridd]

Well i just finished up my 1st techflex cables. All I can say is the improvement in sound detail is astonishing. The highs are so much clearer with increased detail and the bass is amazing. JUST KIDDING GUYS!

Actually they turned out pretty good. And had a good time constructing. The techflex is not as difficult as I imagined. Although it is very time consuming and after installation I can only see about 6" of one of them. But hey, I know they are there.

 

[sawzalot]

Well i just finished up my 1st techflex cables. All I can say is the improvement in sound detail is astonishing. The highs are so much clearer with increased detail and the bass is amazing. JUST KIDDING GUYS!

Actually they turned out pretty good. And had a good time constructing. The techflex is not as difficult as I imagined. Although it is very time consuming and after installation I can only see about 6" of one of them. But hey, I know they are there.

How about a pic of these new sound improving cables, maybe if I can just see em my system would sound better

 

[radridd]

Not bad for a first production run. I wont show my practice cable/prototype for fear of ribbing.

 

[Shock]

Slap "Audio Quest" on those bad boys and sell them for 6800 bucks imo.