Splicing Speaker Wire
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 52
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OP
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 52 |
I know that I should never splice speaker wire but I also know to measure twice and cut once. Knowledge doesn't equal performance. So, if I just HAD to splice speaker wire, are there rules? Also, I know not to splice because I read it on the internet somewhere. Why shouldn't I?
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Re: Splicing Speaker Wire
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 18,044
shareholder in the making
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shareholder in the making
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With spliced wire, you introduce greater resistance into the line (at least, with poorly spliced wire...). I think a single splice, well done (maybe with solder?) would probably be ok.
I am the Doctor, and THIS... is my SPOON!
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Re: Splicing Speaker Wire
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 52
buff
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OP
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I was actually thinking of making ends for the two pieces and using a manufactured FxF connector to keep it as "smooth" as possible. I can certainly drop some solder in there to ensure the integrity of the splice.
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Re: Splicing Speaker Wire
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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 10,654
shareholder in the making
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shareholder in the making
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Lo, you've said a couple times that you "know" that splicing isn't a good idea. If you've read some of the bizarre ideas on the internet about this you should disregard them. One or more splices in a wire don't have any appreciable effect if they don't come apart. So, the only problem is the inconvenience of making the splice. Anything solid, even twist 'n tape, can work, such as soldering or using wire nuts.
-----------------------------------
Enjoy the music, not the equipment.
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Re: Splicing Speaker Wire
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 6,955
axiomite
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axiomite
Joined: Oct 2006
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Although I know more about data transfer than audio, we have lots of analogue copper lines in the telephone business. A good splice is pretty much completely negligible. According to our best meters, the electrons don't seem to mind at all. In our business the danger is more in that it has introduced a weak point for humidity and eventually corrosion. For this, we use special gel filled connectors to splice copper. John is correct it must be solid. These connectors, if not properly crimped can impede data or voice transfer.
Fiber splicing is a bit more interesting. Even a good splice will show up on a meter but is not necessarily damaging data unless it's really bad. Our meters can visually display the distance to a splice, improper twist or (gasp) a cut.
I suspect it is much the same case for audio equipment. Do a good job, and you should be fine.
With great power comes Awesome irresponsibility.
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Re: Splicing Speaker Wire
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 18,044
shareholder in the making
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shareholder in the making
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Sorry for the misinformation in my post--my experience with splices in speaker wire was extraordinarily poor splices in a very long 18 gauge wire...
I am the Doctor, and THIS... is my SPOON!
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Re: Splicing Speaker Wire
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 52
buff
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OP
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This will be adding about three feet to 12ga. wire. I actually measured in my current home and only later realized that the new home was different.
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Re: Splicing Speaker Wire
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Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,488
connoisseur
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connoisseur
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,488 |
You can splice speaker wire no problem... The best way is to solder it and then cover with heatshrink tube. Although it seems the most popular method is the trusty twist and tape. I dont reccomend it myself. The western union splice is a good solid splice that looks good as well. A splice like this, soldered will be perfect.
Last edited by Haoleb; 08/16/08 03:37 AM.
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Re: Splicing Speaker Wire
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,155
connoisseur
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connoisseur
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,155 |
I am not sure where all this bad information about splicing comes from??? It seems that there are many ill informed people posting on the various boards.
Rest assured, a proper splice will cause you no problems. There were a couple of good ideas given here.
The main thing to consider in a splice is to have good contact between the two conductors. I have used various techniques including "wire nuts." They all worked well!!!
The Rat.
M80s, VP-150, QS8s,
SVS PC 20-39+, OPPO,
Onkyo 703s, Harmony 880
Sony 60" SXRD HDTV
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Re: Splicing Speaker Wire
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Joined: Jul 2006
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Founder, Axiom Upgrade Club shareholder in the making
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Founder, Axiom Upgrade Club shareholder in the making
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I have used various techniques including "wire nuts." They all worked well!!! Variety is the splice of life.
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Re: Splicing Speaker Wire
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Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 16,441
shareholder in the making
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shareholder in the making
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Variety is the splice of life. Fertilization is the splice of life.
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Re: Splicing Speaker Wire
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 6,955
axiomite
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axiomite
Joined: Oct 2006
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Variety is the splice of life. Fertilization is the splice of life. That was brilliant!
With great power comes Awesome irresponsibility.
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Re: Splicing Speaker Wire
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 18,044
shareholder in the making
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shareholder in the making
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That makes mitochondria the spice of life.
Last edited by kcarlile; 08/18/08 05:41 PM.
I am the Doctor, and THIS... is my SPOON!
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Re: Splicing Speaker Wire
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Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 16,441
shareholder in the making
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shareholder in the making
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Don't you mean midichlorians?
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Re: Splicing Speaker Wire
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 18,044
shareholder in the making
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shareholder in the making
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I am the Doctor, and THIS... is my SPOON!
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Re: Splicing Speaker Wire
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Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 16,441
shareholder in the making
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shareholder in the making
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If you had a high midichlorian count, I might be scared.
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Re: Splicing Speaker Wire
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 18,044
shareholder in the making
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shareholder in the making
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I am the Doctor, and THIS... is my SPOON!
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Re: Splicing Speaker Wire
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 7,463 Likes: 1
axiomite
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axiomite
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I laughed out loud in the theater when that came up.
*********** "Nothin' up my sleeve. . ." --Bullwinkle J. Moose
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Re: Splicing Speaker Wire
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Joined: Jul 2006
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Founder, Axiom Upgrade Club shareholder in the making
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Founder, Axiom Upgrade Club shareholder in the making
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See, Ken, have a sense of humor about it like Sean does, even if he's just laughing to mask his pain.
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Re: Splicing Speaker Wire
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 7,463 Likes: 1
axiomite
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axiomite
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After I got home, I burned my Chewbacca outfit.
*********** "Nothin' up my sleeve. . ." --Bullwinkle J. Moose
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Re: Splicing Speaker Wire
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 12,077 Likes: 7
Founder, Axiom Upgrade Club shareholder in the making
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Founder, Axiom Upgrade Club shareholder in the making
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How does that smell compare to that of burning Jawas?
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Re: Splicing Speaker Wire
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 7,463 Likes: 1
axiomite
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axiomite
Joined: Mar 2005
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Jawas smell like cinnamon. Chewbacca, like Velveeta left in a hot car.
*********** "Nothin' up my sleeve. . ." --Bullwinkle J. Moose
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Re: Splicing Speaker Wire
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 12,077 Likes: 7
Founder, Axiom Upgrade Club shareholder in the making
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Founder, Axiom Upgrade Club shareholder in the making
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And a burning George Lucas smells like salvation?
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Re: Splicing Speaker Wire
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 7,463 Likes: 1
axiomite
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axiomite
Joined: Mar 2005
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I read an article in the LA Times last week begging Lucas to stop making movies.
*********** "Nothin' up my sleeve. . ." --Bullwinkle J. Moose
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Re: Splicing Speaker Wire
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Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 16,441
shareholder in the making
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shareholder in the making
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I had a nightmare that George Lucas was writing my good dreams.
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Re: Splicing Speaker Wire
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 7,463 Likes: 1
axiomite
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axiomite
Joined: Mar 2005
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Time to stop sleeping for good.
*********** "Nothin' up my sleeve. . ." --Bullwinkle J. Moose
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Re: Splicing Speaker Wire
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Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 16,441
shareholder in the making
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shareholder in the making
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There's only so many cute creatures one can take in a dream before you go crazy and kick your cat.
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Re: Splicing Speaker Wire
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 12,077 Likes: 7
Founder, Axiom Upgrade Club shareholder in the making
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Founder, Axiom Upgrade Club shareholder in the making
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Is kicking your cat like pussyfooting around?
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Re: Splicing Speaker Wire
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 7,463 Likes: 1
axiomite
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axiomite
Joined: Mar 2005
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You shouldn't have named your cat Jar Jar.
*********** "Nothin' up my sleeve. . ." --Bullwinkle J. Moose
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Re: Splicing Speaker Wire
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Joined: Jul 2006
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Founder, Axiom Upgrade Club shareholder in the making
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Founder, Axiom Upgrade Club shareholder in the making
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Binks is a good cat name, though. Maybe better as Binx.
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Re: Splicing Speaker Wire
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 12,077 Likes: 7
Founder, Axiom Upgrade Club shareholder in the making
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Founder, Axiom Upgrade Club shareholder in the making
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I don't think we're far enough off-topic yet.
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Re: Splicing Speaker Wire
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 7,463 Likes: 1
axiomite
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axiomite
Joined: Mar 2005
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Uh, cat gut makes for good heat shrink around spliced wires.
*********** "Nothin' up my sleeve. . ." --Bullwinkle J. Moose
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Re: Splicing Speaker Wire
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Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 20
hobbyist
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hobbyist
Joined: Aug 2008
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How can you splice Monster XP cable? It has a patented Magnetic Flux Tube in the middle. Would you just stick a wire nut over that?
I do mind. The Dude minds. This will not stand. This aggression will not stand man.
M60|VP150|QS8
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Re: Splicing Speaker Wire
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 4,877
connoisseur
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connoisseur
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Why would you purchase monster cable to begin with!?
-David
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Re: Splicing Speaker Wire
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Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 16,441
shareholder in the making
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shareholder in the making
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I didn't purchase the Monster Cable speaker wires I still use. I have 3 lengths, each about 6' long, that the dealer threw in when I bought my Paradigm Monitor 9s and Paradigm CC back in 2000. I now use them for my M22s and VP100.
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Re: Splicing Speaker Wire
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 18,044
shareholder in the making
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shareholder in the making
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And they fell apart damn quickly for such expensive cable, too.
I am the Doctor, and THIS... is my SPOON!
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Re: Splicing Speaker Wire
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Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 16,441
shareholder in the making
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shareholder in the making
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only the silly rubber caps at the base of the banana plugs. the copper is still shiny.
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Re: Splicing Speaker Wire
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Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 20
hobbyist
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hobbyist
Joined: Aug 2008
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I was just being facetious about the Monster cable, because they claim to have all these patented technologies, such as "Magnetic Flux Tube Construction." What that amounts to is a piece of polypropylene cord in the middle of the copper that does nothing more than make the copper look thicker than it is. Combine that with their unnecessarily thick clear jacketing called "LPE" or "Linear Polyethylene" which they also claim has some kind of proprietary signal preserving properties, and you have this huge-looking speaker wire that is really only 16 gauge copper costing $1.00 per foot. It looks monster, but it is claimed you can get the same or better performance in an electrical zip cord for about $0.40 per foot. As a matter of fact, in Crutchfield's product description, they call this a low-cost "entry-level" speaker wire "Especially recommended for small speakers, mini systems, and rack systems." Low cost? It's a buck a foot, and in my book that aint cheap.
I do mind. The Dude minds. This will not stand. This aggression will not stand man.
M60|VP150|QS8
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Re: Splicing Speaker Wire
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Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 16,441
shareholder in the making
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shareholder in the making
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I totally agree. That magnetic flux tube really annoys me when I'm re-twisting the ends of the cable.
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Re: Splicing Speaker Wire
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,155
connoisseur
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connoisseur
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I think that it is somewhat amazing that people still believe the crap from Monster and even worse that they are still allowed to claim that BS!!!!!
The Rat.
M80s, VP-150, QS8s,
SVS PC 20-39+, OPPO,
Onkyo 703s, Harmony 880
Sony 60" SXRD HDTV
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Re: Splicing Speaker Wire
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aficionado
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aficionado
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Dave
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