speaker wire problem

[soundright]

I recently purchases some new speaker wires for my speakers. It turns out that I have to cut the wires myself. I used a pair of scissor to strip off the insulation then followed the suggestion online and twisted the wires into tight strands. The problem is that whenever I hook the wires up with my speaker or receiver, some strands get loose and stick out. I tried my best to twist it very tightly but the screw thing on the receiver always break the strands loose. Is that bad for my receiver or the sound quality?

 

[Alex2507]

What gauge wire are you using?You can't have those strands touching anything other than that binding post. Is it possible that you are over tightening and breaking the copper?

 

[Adam]

The wires are used to make an electrical connection between the receiver and the speakers. Missing a few strands isn't going to make any difference, so don't worry about that. However, you want to make very sure that no strands bridge across the gap between binding posts. That would create a short circuit.

Using banana plugs or other connectors can help with this, but you'll be fine as long as you don't have strands bridging the gaps.

 

[just-some-guy]

what those guys said. the "screw thingy" , you talking about the red or black speakers terminals ? those are binding posts. unscrew them all the way, that will make it easier to stick the wire in. just did this on my new 01TXH. yeah, naner plugs are in the works.

 

[highfigh]

I recently purchases some new speaker wires for my speakers. It turns out that I have to cut the wires myself. I used a pair of scissor to strip off the insulation then followed the suggestion online and twisted the wires into tight strands. The problem is that whenever I hook the wires up with my speaker or receiver, some strands get loose and stick out. I tried my best to twist it very tightly but the screw thing on the receiver always break the strands loose. Is that bad for my receiver or the sound quality?

First thing I would recommend is to buy a real wire stripper. Scissors aren't the best choice.

Also, when the insulation comes off, look at the direction of the twist- re-twist in the same direction. If you'll be doing more of this kind of thing, get used to having wire strands poking into your fingers. It happens to everyone at some point. (I really enjoy when they stick under my fingernail)

 

[just-some-guy]

i use a drywall knife, or a BENCHMADE.

 

[Rickster71]

Try this;
Get a pair a real wire strippers
Strip the wire, lets say about half an inch or so, then strip an eighth inch more and slide that insulation just to the end of the bare wire, and leave it there.
That little piece of insulation will hold all the strands together.
It will still fit through the hole in the binding post.

 

[tbergman]

i use a drywall knife, or a BENCHMADE.

Nice, Benchmade is awesome, love my knife, but I worked with an electrician for a year and still use proper tools.