Re: speaker wire length
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Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,443
connoisseur
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connoisseur
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,443 |
Hi Argon,
Copper does oxidize over time when it's exposed to air--you know those rooves made of copper that turn greenish, as well as copper pennies. Where it's exposed at the connection point, electrical conductivity may be affected. You can use a bit of sandpaper to remove the oxidation if you are using bare-wire connections and return the lustre to the copper.
If memory serves, it seems that other forum members have warned users away from Home Depot's bulk generic speaker wire because it seemed to oxidize even under the plastic insulation, which is odd. Even so, that won't affect conductivity through the copper.
Does anyone else recall those posts?
Regards, Alan I remember reading about oxidation under the plastic/vinyl. That is exactly what has happened here - which I don't understand either. I would consider replacing except that it is all in wall and some rather long runs. So....unless I start having problems, I guess I will leave well enough alone.
"A fanatic is someone who can't change his mind and won't change the subject" Churchill
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Re: speaker wire length
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 6,331
axiomite
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axiomite
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 6,331 |
Can't remember who or where, though. Not surprising, really.
Jack
"People generally quarrel because they cannot argue." - G. K. Chesterton
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Re: speaker wire length
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 13,840 Likes: 13
shareholder in the making
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shareholder in the making
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 13,840 Likes: 13 |
nice hat!
M80s VP180 4xM22ow 4xM3ic EP600 2xEP350 AnthemAVM60 Outlaw7700 EmoA500 Epson5040UB FluanceRT85
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Re: speaker wire length
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Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 16,441
shareholder in the making
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shareholder in the making
Joined: Apr 2003
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Re: speaker wire length
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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 10,654
shareholder in the making
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shareholder in the making
Joined: May 2002
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Rob, without going into the full chemical story again, when copper oxidizes(due to atmospheric oxygen)it turns brown and almost looks black as the reaction proceeds(e.g., very old pennies). A greenish color would be due to a reaction with other elements, most notably chlorine. The greenish color reported under some transparent speaker cables isn't due to atmospheric oxygen, which doesn't penetrate the jacket. Apparently some of the PVC(polyvinyl chloride)jackets(most are okay)were unstable and broke down so that chlorine reacted with the copper, forming the green chloride.
As Alan pointed out, oxidation on the end of the wire can be easily removed with an abrasive such as sand paper, or the end can be trimmed and re-stripped.
The linked material by Mr. Russell is an excellent explanation of speaker wiring in general, in addition to the gauge table, and has undoubtedly helped many avoid wire rip-offs the past few years.
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Enjoy the music, not the equipment.
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Re: speaker wire length
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Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,789
connoisseur
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connoisseur
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,789 |
I'm going to develop a new speaker wire. Each strand will be microscopically thin, but there will be 20,000 of them per 12 guage (it will all be 12 guage) run. That's one strand per bandwidth from zero hz all the way up to 20,000 hz!!! Of course it will be oxygen free and one directional and all that other good stuff... but the 'one strand per bandwidth' will be the kicker! Every 'true' audiophile (wink, wink) will have to have it. And of course if while stripping the wire you happen to accidentally happen to cut a few of the strands off, you will have to replace the whole run. I mean that's a given, other wise you'll lose out on those frequencies that they were assigned to!
My Stuff :
M80's QS8's VP150 EP800 Denon 4802 Emotiva XPA-3 Samsung BD-P3600 Sharp 65 Inch Aquos LCD
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Re: speaker wire length
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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 10,654
shareholder in the making
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shareholder in the making
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 10,654 |
Micah, no doubt you'll be able to find some "audiophiles" who'd pay handsomely for such a miraculous wire.
-----------------------------------
Enjoy the music, not the equipment.
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Re: speaker wire length
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Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,789
connoisseur
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connoisseur
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,789 |
Why yes, yes indeed! I'm taking pre-payments for anyone who wants to be the 'first' in line for this new miracle wire!!!
My Stuff :
M80's QS8's VP150 EP800 Denon 4802 Emotiva XPA-3 Samsung BD-P3600 Sharp 65 Inch Aquos LCD
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Re: speaker wire length
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Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 288
local
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local
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 288 |
will your new speaker wire made me dancing with it? :p
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Re: speaker wire length
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Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,443
connoisseur
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connoisseur
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,443 |
Rob, without going into the full chemical story again, when copper oxidizes(due to atmospheric oxygen)it turns brown and almost looks black as the reaction proceeds(e.g., very old pennies). A greenish color would be due to a reaction with other elements, most notably chlorine. The greenish color reported under some transparent speaker cables isn't due to atmospheric oxygen, which doesn't penetrate the jacket. Apparently some of the PVC(polyvinyl chloride)jackets(most are okay)were unstable and broke down so that chlorine reacted with the copper, forming the green chloride.
As Alan pointed out, oxidation on the end of the wire can be easily removed with an abrasive such as sand paper, or the end can be trimmed and re-stripped.
The linked material by Mr. Russell is an excellent explanation of speaker wiring in general, in addition to the gauge table, and has undoubtedly helped many avoid wire rip-offs the past few years. I would say the color I am seeing is darker than greener. I don't know where this wire would have come in contact with chlorine. I do have some fishing rod holders that my wife's grandfather made for me years ago. He hammered 3/4 copper tubing flat and bent it around and attached it to a wooden stake. Quite clever, actually. 25 years later, the copper is taking on a nice green patina. After your comments about chlorine, I am not sure if it is the saltwater exposure or the fact that I always hose them down when I get home with tap water that is causing the patina. Probably saltwater?
"A fanatic is someone who can't change his mind and won't change the subject" Churchill
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