Solder or Not?

[JPW]

Solder or Not? I’ll be assembling a new pair of speaker wires this weekend with some screw down connectors. Before inserting the bare wire into the connectors, should I cover the wire tip with solder? Will this affect the sound or dielectric in anyway?

Thanks,

Jeff

 

[Mudcat]

Some will say solder and don't worry about it, some will say don't solder. I think it depends on the connector you're using. A decent connector like WBT, Canare, or GLS you shouldn't need to solder. Something cheep like the junk AR packages with their bulk wire in Best Buy, solder.

I noticed that you posted this over on the CA where Duster responded with a don't solder. Well duster swears that he can hear the difference between connectors too.

 

[Geno]

If you solder wire before inserting it into a screw-pressure connector, the solder will continue to "flow" under the pressure of the screw. Eventually, it will loosen in the connector. In electrical wiring, this will result in arcing and fire. In audio, it will just result in a loose connection.

 

[mtrycrafts]

Solder or Not? Will this affect the sound or dielectric in anyway?
Thanks, Jeff

Not to worry about this.