Dark or Black speaker wire

[Gladstone]

What makes speaker wire turn black or dark? I noticed my wire from one speaker was darker than the other speakers wire. It was wire from home depot. Should I be worried?

 

[phlakvest]

Oxidation

Copper oxidizes when exposed to oxygen

Provided you have clean wire when you attach it to the speaker terminals then you should be fine.


Other people will be more picky about oxidized wire than me though.

 

[j_garcia]

Inside the jacket or outside the jacket? If it is inside and the jacket is clear PVC, then that is a common thing. It is a reaction between the copper and the jacket. Some say it doesn't matter, but I personally changed out my wire when I noticed it.

 

[highfigh]

What makes speaker wire turn black or dark? I noticed my wire from one speaker was darker than the other speakers wire. It was wire from home depot. Should I be worried?

PVC jacket causes this. It's common in cheaper or older wire and since PVC can't be used in plenum spaces, some companies have stopped using it altogether.