Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Technical Questions Best way to join speaker wire?

I don't know, THE Internet says the Western Union splice is actually done in the 90 degree fashion I mentioned - kinda! Splice (And it is written on 1910 parchment, so it must be right, right?)

Seriously, the above picture looks fine to if you solder it. If you don't, and then you pull in opposite directions, I don't think the wire locks together was well as twisting in 90 degree angles. But, the major difference is that the above picture gives a much nicer flat appearance than my suggestion (which creates a pig-tail), so I admit defeat in today's battle of wire splice knowledge.

Yeah, The way its shown in your link is how I do it... Starting out holding the wires so they cross at an X shape But you basically end up with the same thing. That's a better illustration than what I found though.

The main idea is that it gives you, like you said, a very flat and even splice. Any splice should be soldered. Just twisting the wires together and putting tape or head shrink over it is unacceptable.

Oh, no you didn't just say that.


If wasn't so lazy I would point you to the thread where I was beaten about the head and shoulders until I came to understand that wire does not matter - it is just a guide for the electromagnetic field that rides it. Or something like that.

If I join my speaker wire using the Western Union method, could I just fold the joined wire over and then cover with a merret and electrical tape? That way the wire can't pull apart with tension.

I don't know, but Haoleb said "Just twisting the wires together and putting tape or head shrink over it is unacceptable." I would think it is fine, but hopefully he will elaborate so you can determine the risk/reward factor.

Making a good joint is about having a strong electrical and mechanical connection. I assume by merret you mean wire nuts, I personally wouldnt use them for anything... period. Also, they are best suited for solid core conductors vs stranded. Of course, time doesnt always allow to make a perfect connection since heatshrinking and soldering each and every connection is a very time consuming process which is why there are things like wire nuts and butt connectors and so on... which is fine. But if you want the best and strongest joint for something like joining speaker wire I still think the suggested method is the best.

I think simple works... it's just speaker wire. It's not running AC, and no one should be tugging on it anyway.

Jeez, when I was a kid, I sometimes had to use three scraps of brown 18 guage lampcord to reach 20 feet.

I also walked to school in the snow, uphill, both ways, but that's another story...

(Channeling Murph's future "Grouchy Old Man with a Hat"...)

But audio is AC.

There was an article posted to the 'holics website today on attaching connects to cable. While not exactly on topic it was still a good read: http://www.audioholics.com/education/cables/crimping-and-soldering

((Shakes cane accusingly and mumbles something incoherent...))