Can I splice cables

[bmurphy2121]

I have prob a dumb question but I was wanting to know if i cna splice two speaker wires together so that I can make the run that I need vs buying new speaker wire. The speaker wire are both the same kind that I will be splicing together.

 

[Cruise Missile]

I've ran a spliced cable on my center channel for years due to a missed measurement.

The only real advice I have here is to make the splice as mechanically sound as you can. Quality crimp style butt connectors should be used as well as heat shrink tubing over the splice. Make the heat shrink tubing cuts long enough to extend at least an inch past the ends of the butt connectors to prevent shorts.

PLEASE DON'T TWIST THE WIRES AND WRAP WITH ELECTRICAL TAPE!!!!

 

[BMXTRIX]

I've seen and heard dozens if not hundreds of speakers run through all sorts of splices, and the key is a solid connection. But, a wire nut is still not a bad way to go as long as the connection is secure. It is prettier, for sure, to run a butt splice... It definitely is clean, but doesn't perform better, or worse. Just another way to do it.

So, yes, you don't just use electrical tape, as that won't hold anything together securely, you want a metal connection point to firmly hold things together and to have good contact between the wiring for a solid electrical path. About a dozen decent ways to do this.

I know I saw a how-to on some website with multiple variations of splics being shown. No idea where though.

 

[bmurphy2121]

Thanks guys thats what I kinda thought that I could butt slice the two cables together but wasnt 100% sure if it would make much of a dif if I did it that way. Its not a very far run maybe Ill need prob an extra 3' or so. The cable makes it to the speaker now but its tight and I just want it to be a clean look thats all.

 

[audiofox]

If you use a wire nut, be sure to wrap the nut and splice with elec tape after you join the two wires so the nut doesn't come loose (same advice as with splices in a 120V J. box). If you have time, the best way is to solder the two wires together and "seal" the splice with heat shrink tubing-that will give you a connection almost as good as an unbroken wire and will protect the splice against the elements.

 

[bmurphy2121]

Yes I know how to splice regular cables in j. box and everything eleectrical as Im a electrical desigener/engineer, but the real question was I should have added if splicing would I loose any quality in sound.

 

[audiofox]

Yes I know how to splice regular cables in j. box and everything eleectrical as Im a electrical desigener/engineer, but the real question was I should have added if splicing would I loose any quality in sound.

Sorry, didn't see a question about sound quality impact in your original post. I can't think of a reason why a splice would affect an audio frequency signal unless the connection itself was bad or intermittent.

 

[lsiberian]

Yes I know how to splice regular cables in j. box and everything eleectrical as Im a electrical desigener/engineer, but the real question was I should have added if splicing would I loose any quality in sound.

There will be an increase in resistance, but done right it will be insignificant. Remember nearly any type of wire can be used for speakers as long as you have enough gauge.

 

[Alex2507]

I know I saw a how-to on some website with multiple variations of splics being shown. No idea where though.

http://www.hometheatershack.com/forums/remotes-cables-accessories-tweaks/5808-comprehensive-guide-splicing-speaker-wire.html#post45769

 

[bmurphy2121]

There will be an increase in resistance, but done right it will be insignificant. Remember nearly any type of wire can be used for speakers as long as you have enough gauge.

I have always wondered that. Im in a apartment right now so there is no concern in using standard house wire but when I get my house I plan on building a dedicated room and using normal 12 AWG wire if I can do so. I was just trying to get by for now with what I had and to splice the wires together. Since now I know that I can do that with out loosing much quality I will take the advice that I was given and just splice the cables. You guys have given me very great feedback much apreciated for all the help. Looks like this weekend I will be splicing some cables.

 

[markw]

Since now I know that I can do that with out loosing much quality I will take the advice that I was given and just splice the cables.

Change that to any audible quality and, to be measurable, you would need exceedingly expensive equipment.

Thia harkens back to the "any change makes a difference" credo. While true to some degree, there are realistic/rational/testable limits.

Some time ago some jokester promulgated a "tweak" whereby one would stack on top of their speakers, a quarter, a nickle, and a dime and waned people to see if they could hear the change.