RCA "screw on" ends for RG6

[muncybob]

I need to run RG6 without any ends to the subwoofer and then terminate....I do not have a compression tool and don't trust my soldering skills but somebody recently talked about screw on RCA connectors...for the life of me I can't find the thread....so, does anybody know where I can get some of these RCA ends for RG6?

 

[ruadmaa]

Screw On Connectors

I need to run RG6 without any ends to the subwoofer and then terminate....I do not have a compression tool and don't trust my soldering skills but somebody recently talked about screw on RCA connectors...for the life of me I can't find the thread....so, does anybody know where I can get some of these RCA ends for RG6?

You might try either Walmart or Radio Shack.

 

[mtrycrafts]

I need to run RG6 without any ends to the subwoofer and then terminate....I do not have a compression tool and don't trust my soldering skills but somebody recently talked about screw on RCA connectors...for the life of me I can't find the thread....so, does anybody know where I can get some of these RCA ends for RG6?

Why can't you run already 'F' terminated rg6? The tools might be worth it.

 

[muncybob]

I need unterminated to fit through the existing access holes...need to run under a floor from one end of a room and come back up at the other end. I tried Radio Shack and they don't have anything to fit RG6....maybe I should see what their RCA ends will fit and go with something other than RG6 to connect the sub?

 

[mtrycrafts]

I need unterminated to fit through the existing access holes...need to run under a floor from one end of a room and come back up at the other end. I tried Radio Shack and they don't have anything to fit RG6....maybe I should see what their RCA ends will fit and go with something other than RG6 to connect the sub?

RG 59 would be what they carry, but better to look at each box there as they may have the rg6 and the clerk just doesn't know?

 

[ruadmaa]

Just A Question

I need to run RG6 without any ends to the subwoofer and then terminate....I do not have a compression tool and don't trust my soldering skills but somebody recently talked about screw on RCA connectors...for the life of me I can't find the thread....so, does anybody know where I can get some of these RCA ends for RG6?

Why do you need to run any type of RG cable? Whats wrong with just plain old 12 guage cable available from your local home depot store (or any electrical store)??? It's most unlikely that you will have any kind of shielding problem for a cable to a subwoofer.

 

[ScottMayo]

Why do you need to run any type of RG cable? Whats wrong with just plain old 12 guage cable available from your local home depot store (or any electrical store)??? It's most unlikely that you will have any kind of shielding problem for a cable to a subwoofer.

Actually, a sub is one place where shielding is a good idea. AC hum is 50 or 60Hz, depending on where you live. Subwoofers live to produce 50 and 60Hz tones clearly. For a powered sub, always use a good, double shielded interconnect. For a passive sub I'd still be careful to keep the line away from power cords and outlets, and if I was doing a permanent installation running through the floor, and thought there might be power lines nearby, I'd consider using scrap iron pipe as a conduit. Better safe than sorry when it comes to any sort of permanent installation.

 

[92nsx]

I used the F type coaxial cable RG-6 twist on connectors for finishing my basement cable lines and they worked out great. Cheap $ 3.50 for 10 of them at Menards, or home depot if you live out of the upper midwest, and installing the ends was super easy, only 20 seconds each end.

 

[BMXTRIX]

Yeah, I was about to say Home Depot is a great place to get some of this stuff now. Not as much stuff as Radio Shack typically, but Home Depot seems to be carrying a lot more of the stuff that people really use. Ideal compression F-type connectors, decent compression tools, good low voltage wire strippers, RG-6 Quad Shield... I don't buy a ton from them, but when there are certain things that I know they have and their prices aren't ridiculous. 500' Cat-5e for about 50 or 60 bucks. No shipping! Tax though

 

[j_garcia]

Why do you need to run any type of RG cable? Whats wrong with just plain old 12 guage cable available from your local home depot store (or any electrical store)??? It's most unlikely that you will have any kind of shielding problem for a cable to a subwoofer.

Because that is not the best way to connect a sub. Line level via coax is far superior. Line noise IS definitely a potential problem for a long speaker wire run.

Parts Express has the twist on ones for RG59 for $2.00 ea. Part number 091-1055

 

[ruadmaa]

A Simple Question

Because that is not the best way to connect a sub. Line level via coax is far superior. Line noise IS definitely a potential problem for a long speaker wire run.

Parts Express has the twist on ones for RG59 for $2.00 ea. Part number 091-1055

RG6 and RG59 are designed for VIDEO, why do you feel these cables should be used for audio???

Standard 12 guage cable should be fine as long as it isn't routed parallel and in close proximity to a 110 line. What type of noise do you feel it will pick up. I have several 30 foot runs of 12 guage cable and it doesn't pick up any noise that I can hear.

 

[j_garcia]

75 Ohm cable works perfectly fine for audio, which means RG6 and RG59 are no issue at all, so I don't follow what you are asking. By using speaker level, you cannot use the sub as a .1 channel. You have to connect it to the main speaker outs and set them to large, which means you are missing out on the ability to use your receiver's x-over for the sub and the mains. So again I say, it isn't the best way to connect a sub.

I had a friend who's contractor installed speaker wire (not even in-wall rated which was already a mistake) to his sub, just 10ft away and not parallel to any power wires and he got major hum. He had the contractor swap it out for RG6 and the hum went away.

 

[ruadmaa]

Sorry I Have Never Gotten Hum

75 Ohm cable works perfectly fine for audio, which means RG6 and RG59 are no issue at all, so I don't follow what you are asking. By using speaker level, you cannot use the sub as a .1 channel. You have to connect it to the main speaker outs and set them to large, which means you are missing out on the ability to use your receiver's x-over for the sub and the mains. So again I say, it isn't the best way to connect a sub.

I had a friend who's contractor installed speaker wire (not even in-wall rated) to his sub, just 10ft away and not parallel to any power wires and he got major hum. He had the contractor swap it out for RG6 and the hum went away.

Sorry, I have never gotten hum from using 12 guage speaker wire in any application. If you think it best, then you should do so. I don't!!!

 

[j_garcia]

Sorry, I have never gotten hum from using 12 guage speaker wire in any application. If you think it best, then you should do so. I don't!!!

But why would you want to give up the ability to use it as a true .1? That alone would keep me from using speaker level for any sub that has line level input period.

 

[muncybob]

So, am I compromising anything at all by using RG59 as compared to RG6? From what I've read I won't and the RG59 would be easier to handle? It is important to me that this line be very well shielded as it will run very near my main incoming electric line and also close to my 200 amp service box.

 

[ruadmaa]

I Am Giving Up Nothing

But why would you want to give up the ability to use it as a true .1? That alone would keep me from using speaker level for any sub that has line level input period.

Why would I be giving up .1??? I run a separate full frequency signal to my sub which simply filters out any high frequencies that I don’t want. I am using an M&K sub with variable crossover control at around 60hz. I don’t run anything after my sub input. My main speakers are run directly from my receiver and are set to large which is the way I want it.

 

[j_garcia]

Why would I be giving up .1??? I run a separate full frequency signal to my sub which simply filters out any high frequencies that I don’t want. I am using an M&K sub with variable crossover control at around 60hz. I don’t run anything after my sub input. My main speakers are run directly from my receiver and are set to large which is the way I want it.

IMO, I have found very, very few speakers that benefit from being set to large, but personal opinon is also a factor there. For a music only system, I would (and do) run full range, but for HT, there's no benefit unless you have main speakers that cover down to at least the 30s, which most speakers do not.

I'm not saying that you are doing something wrong, just it isn't more common. It is a viable option, just not the best available connection method available, IMHO.

So, am I compromising anything at all by using RG59 as compared to RG6? From what I've read I won't and the RG59 would be easier to handle? It is important to me that this line be very well shielded as it will run very near my main incoming electric line and also close to my 200 amp service box.

Apparently RG6 has a braid and a foil shield while RG59 has only a braid (which means not 100% shielding is what I read), so I'd say RG6.

 

[InTheIndustry]

You want to use solid core RG59 (it's what most manufacturers use to make their interconnects). If compression is not an option you can use the screw on RCA ends from Parts Express and it will work just fine. The only and I mean ONLY reason to use RG6 is if your run has to be extremely long (think over 150' long). The solid core RG59 has a (edit)* 95% copper braid shielding... look at this:

http://www.impactacoustics.com/product.asp?cat_id=205&sku=43054

It will work A+

And for the guy who is suggesting to use 12awg wire to hook up your sub: What Receiver/PrePro are you using? I'd like to Google it to see its connections for a sub. P.S. Just because you personally don't get hum doesn't mean that it doesn't happen. If you run speaker wire incorrectly in relation to your high voltage you can absolutely get a hiss and/or hum in your speakers.

DO NOT, for any reason, choose to use 12awg speaker wire over the solid core RG59 for a sub. There is a big time performance difference when dealing with lower frequencies.

 

[j_garcia]

You want to use solid core RG59 (it's what most manufacturers use to make their interconnects). If compression is not an option you can use the screw on RCA ends from Parts Express and it will work just fine. The only and I mean ONLY reason to use RG6 is if your run has to be extremely long (think over 150' long). The solid core RG59 has a foil and braid shielding... look at this:

http://www.impactacoustics.com/product.asp?cat_id=205&sku=43054

I don't see where it says anything about a foil shield. What it does say is the braid is 95% copper, not steel like most coax, so I'd say that would be a good choice.

 

[InTheIndustry]

Thanks for pointing out my typo. I sometimes type faster than I think. It should have said copper braid and nothing about foil. I will edit.

And yes, it does work perfectly fine. We just used it on a $22K installation where we hooked up a 15" THX Ultra sub. I would never use anything to compromise quality with one of our clients. It is A+ and it will work for anything from composite video, component video, sub cables, digital co-ax, etc. That's what's inside of interconnects that you buy off the shelf. You just have to put your own ends on it. It's very flexible and if you aren't concerned about cosmetics (like in a rack) it's perfect. You can make all of your RCA based cables to whatever length you need. The sheilding provided is fine for your average runs.