Cable for under $50

[Josh784]

<font color='#000000'>I have a pair of Axiom M2i speakers, and have recently built a component rack type of thing to place my receiver and CD player in. &nbsp;I had been using 12 guage Radio Shack copper speaker wire, but I don't have any lengths that are long enough left. &nbsp;What is my best bet for cable under $50? &nbsp;

I found some Monster Z1R cable on ebay for $40 (2 11 foot lengths) but it does not have the shielding seen on the pictures of the cable on Monster's website, maybe it is older cable.

Is this a good bet or not, and where else should I look?

Thanks,
Josh</font>

 

[Shinerman]

<font color='#000000'>Any 12ga. standard wire from Radio Shack, Parts Express.com, Home Depot, Lowes or other store that carries speaker wire should be fine. &nbsp; Performance-wise, they should all be basically the same compared to the Monster wire. &nbsp;Monster is way over priced. &nbsp; However, if your going for looks to compliment your new rack and the speakers, the Monster wire you mentioned is fine. &nbsp;Not many will admit it, but cool looking speaker wire is, well, cool looking. &nbsp;I made some wires for my mains out of 12ga Carol speaker wire from Home Depot then put some rubber y-sleeves on the ends with some nice banana plugs from Parts Express. &nbsp;They look really cool. &nbsp;All this did not make one bit of difference in the sound, but they look good. &nbsp;

Shinerman</font>

 

[Josh784]

<font color='#000000'>Thanks, I bought that monster cable. &nbsp;From the pictures it doesn't look much different than Radio Shack cable to me, except for the black tubing. &nbsp;

I may try and do what you've done and install some fork-style plugs on it. &nbsp;If I do this, what sort of solder should I look at using? &nbsp;I race R/C Cars, and for building batteries etc. we use standard Radio Shack rosin core solder. &nbsp;Should I look at some high silver content stuff, or do I even need to do any soldering?

Thanks,
Josh</font>

 

[Shinerman]

<font color='#000000'>Josh,

Skip the solder. &nbsp;There are many types of Spades/Forks and Banana plugs that are solderless. These will be easier to use and can be swapped out later if needed. &nbsp;Look at Parts Express.com for a huge selection of different connectors. &nbsp;

In regard to Spades/Forks, make sure the binding posts on your receiver have enough room around them to use spades. &nbsp; Spades/Forks need a lot of wiggle room to connect them. &nbsp;Something not found on most AV receivers these days. &nbsp;I don't think I could use them on my Yammy 1400. &nbsp; I went the Banana Plug route. &nbsp;They are very quick and easy to use. &nbsp;Then again, you really don't need any connectors at all. &nbsp;Bare wire works just as good. &nbsp; I only went with banana plugs because of the tight space my receiver is in. &nbsp;They are really easy to connect and disconnect by feel.

Shinerman</font>

 

[Audioholics]

<font color='#000080'>Spades are tough. Did you see the awesome connectors on the new Z-9 and the Integra DTA-9.4? I love those plastic guides they give you for just that problem.</font>

 

[Josh784]

<font color='#000000'>Thanks for the replies. &nbsp;I ordered two pair of spade plugs for my speakers, and two pair of bannana plugs for the receiver. &nbsp;

I'm almost positive I bought the crimp-on style also.</font>