TwoCables Posted March 18, 2015 Posted March 18, 2015 (edited) First, I have these speaker wires: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Klipsch-ProMedia-2-1-Premium-Speaker-Wires-Custom-Made-Pair-10-/121597099798 This is not the upgrade kit that Klipsch used to sell. These wires are 'made' by the owners of this eBay account (they are a professional audio repair center that's based out in California). The bare ends are tinned with Silver solder, but I noticed that whoever stripped the ends of the jackets off cut some of the strands off as well. So, I'm considering restripping the ends for peace of mind (because I know that I can do it perfectly), but I don't have a soldering iron to retin the ends. Even if I did, I've read that using Silver solder requires practice. So, my question is: what are the advantages of (or reasons for) tinning the bare ends of speaker wires with Silver solder? Is it done for superior audio quality? The reason I ask is, I don't want to cut and restrip the ends if I'll no longer be hearing the benefit of that Silver solder. However, I would really like the peace of mind knowing that all 100% of the strands are in my wire connectors. So, I'm a bit torn. Can you help? Edit: Of course, I have no way to know if they did the same thing at the other ends where the plugs are. So, I'm also considering just making my own using the same parts (because I know where to buy these plugs and these wires). Edit #2: I'm using these wires for the ProMedia 2.1. Edited March 21, 2015 by TwoCables Quote
USNRET Posted March 18, 2015 Posted March 18, 2015 (edited) The bare ends are tinned with Silver solder I doubt that is is silver solder as most solder used on electrical (speaker) wire is around 60/40 tin /lead. Silver solder requires a lot of heat to melt and is VERY hard which does not lend itself to an 'crush factor' when crimping or attaching to a terminal. If I use a screw down or spring loaded connector I leave the wires bare for the crush factor otherwise they will loosen up over time. hearing the benefit of that Silver solder I'm not touching that.... Edited March 18, 2015 by USNRET 2 Quote
TwoCables Posted March 18, 2015 Author Posted March 18, 2015 The bare ends are tinned with Silver solder I doubt that is is silver solder as most solder used on electrical (speaker) wire is around 60/40 tin /lead. Silver solder requires a lot of heat to melt and is VERY hard which does not lend itself to an 'crush factor' when crimping or attaching to a terminal. If I use a screw down or spring loaded connector I leave the wires bare for the crush factor otherwise they will loosen up over time. hearing the benefit of that Silver solder I'm not touching that.... They said that it's Silver solder, but of course I have no way to prove it. Anyway, why aren't you touching that? I'm not saying that there's an audible difference; I'm asking if there is. I mean, if the purpose of tinning them with a Silver solder has nothing to do with the audio quality, then I'm going to restrip them because I know that I can do a better job than what they did, and then I'll have peace of mind that I'm getting the best out of these cables. Again though, I still have to wonder about the plug ends. heh Quote
USNRET Posted March 18, 2015 Posted March 18, 2015 Since you asked , it is my opinion that while there be some sound differences between solid silver wire and copper wire I would think that having only an inch or so od silver at the end of a 10' copper wire would make no difference at all. I just go for solidly built wires of the proper guage. Quote
mxr dad Posted March 18, 2015 Posted March 18, 2015 He's not touching that because of the endless debate on cables, wires, power conditioners, AVR vs AVP, amp vs amp.......... the list goes one. Whether the silver makes a difference can come up with many opinions and can get ugly at times. 2 Quote
TwoCables Posted March 18, 2015 Author Posted March 18, 2015 I guess you guys can say that I've been educated, and for that, I'm grateful. Quote
CECAA850 Posted March 18, 2015 Posted March 18, 2015 but I don't have a soldering iron to retin the ends If you're going to be in this hobby, a soldering iron/gun/station is a great tool to have. You'll use it for more than just tinkering with speakers as well. 1 Quote
TwoCables Posted March 18, 2015 Author Posted March 18, 2015 (edited) but I don't have a soldering iron to retin the ends If you're going to be in this hobby, a soldering iron/gun/station is a great tool to have. You'll use it for more than just tinkering with speakers as well. Oh, I'm not making a hobby out of it. I'm just thinking that if the person who made my wires doesn't know how to strip wires cleanly, then I'd probably be better off making my own and then being done with it. Of course, I'd only do it if I could find out if stripping away a bunch of the strands along with end of the jacket means that I'm not getting the very best performance out of my wires. Edited March 18, 2015 by TwoCables Quote
CECAA850 Posted March 18, 2015 Posted March 18, 2015 Oh, I'm not making a hobby out of it. If you're posting here, it's already a hobby 1 Quote
TwoCables Posted March 18, 2015 Author Posted March 18, 2015 Oh, I'm not making a hobby out of it. If you're posting here, it's already a hobby hehe I suppose. I mean, I'm definitely a DIY'er. 1 Quote
CECAA850 Posted March 18, 2015 Posted March 18, 2015 (edited) Oh, I'm not making a hobby out of it. If you're posting here, it's already a hobby hehe I suppose. I mean, I'm definitely a DIY'er. No self respecting DIY'er should be sans soldering gun! Edited March 18, 2015 by CECAA850 Quote
Thaddeus Smith Posted March 18, 2015 Posted March 18, 2015 Oh, I'm not making a hobby out of it. If you're posting here, it's already a hobby hehe I suppose. I mean, I'm definitely a DIY'er. No self respecting DIY'er should sans soldering gun! Don't be so negative, unhelpful, and snarky. Quote
CECAA850 Posted March 18, 2015 Posted March 18, 2015 Don't be so negative, unhelpful, and snarky. It's the company I keep. Quote
Thaddeus Smith Posted March 18, 2015 Posted March 18, 2015 it's not tinned with silver, but I have been extremely happy with this stuff... http://www.ebay.com/itm/400431669397?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT Very easy to work with, lays flat, and is just decent quality wire without breaking the bank. Quote
TwoCables Posted March 18, 2015 Author Posted March 18, 2015 No self respecting DIY'er should be sans soldering gun! I agree, but I haven't needed one yet. lol I can't think of anything that I'd use it for other than this. Oh, I'm not making a hobby out of it. If you're posting here, it's already a hobby hehe I suppose. I mean, I'm definitely a DIY'er. No self respecting DIY'er should sans soldering gun! Don't be so negative, unhelpful, and snarky. Hmm. I didn't see it as negative, unhelpful or snarky. Quote
Thaddeus Smith Posted March 18, 2015 Posted March 18, 2015 i was chastising another forum member for not having a soldering iron and knowing how to use it. i was labeled as negative, unhelpful, and snarky. in this thread, I'm just being snarky. 1 Quote
muel Posted March 18, 2015 Posted March 18, 2015 No self respecting DIY'er should be sans soldering gun! I agree, but I haven't needed one yet. lol I can't think of anything that I'd use it for other than this. Since when does "NEED" have anything to do with getting a new tool? 1 Quote
TwoCables Posted March 18, 2015 Author Posted March 18, 2015 it's not tinned with silver, but I have been extremely happy with this stuff... http://www.ebay.com/itm/400431669397?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT Very easy to work with, lays flat, and is just decent quality wire without breaking the bank. LOL I'm in trouble now. DO WANT. Neat color too. We'll see what my future brings. hehe 1 Quote
Thaddeus Smith Posted March 18, 2015 Posted March 18, 2015 (edited) what sort of distance do you need to cover? i think i purchased around 30ft and it was enought to rewire my crossover-to-driver connections and about 10ft from amp to each speaker. edit: i just checked.. $40 for 10 meters. Edited March 18, 2015 by Thaddeus Smith Quote
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