how to splice speaker wire together

I applied some Goop® adhesive to the loop at the end of the wire to hold it together. Write down the numbers along with the speaker location (e.g. By using Lifewire, you accept our, How to Install Banana Plugs, Spade, or Pin Connectors to Speaker Wire, The Easiest Way to Connect Speakers With Speaker Wire, What You Need to Know About Car Amp Wiring, How to Connect a Subwoofer to a Receiver or Amplifier, How to Connect a Stereo System or Speakers to a TV, How to Set Up a Home Theater System With Separate Components, Home Theater System Planning: What You Need to Know, A DIY Guide to Installing a New Head Unit, properly set up the speakers and equipment, hide or disguise speaker wire in living areas, connect speakers to the stereo receiver/amplifier, Spool of speaker wire (matching gauge of existing wire), Electrical crimp connectors (also matching gauge of existing wire). They’re simple to use and give an attractive and perfectly functional splice. For speaker wire I recommend in-line butt splices. Bottom line, if one has to solder two pieces of 12ga. So I moved into a new house where the previous owner put speaker wire behind the floorboard for rear speakers in the family room. You can perform the splice by stripping both wires and sliding them in the sleeve, before using the crimping tool to fasten them together. Gently tug on the speaker wires to ensure that they hold fast. But why toss out functional wire when splicing lets you gain the extra feet without all the waste? The issue with pigtails are... 1) They are ugly But tape wears out over time, and the smallest tug on the wires can easily separate that type (usually a Y) of connection. Every year electricians find better ways to connect speaker wires, these are the best speaker wire connector types available today: This method is the easiest and most popular way of connecting wires when setting up your home audio system. If you want to double-check the electrical connection, use a battery for a quick test. Commonly Known as butt splices, these connectors feature a metal tube in a plastic sleeve. wire. As far as splicing is concerned, there are several techniques that you can use. It is very easy to splice speaker wires and wrap them with electrical tape. It’s not necessary to twist the wires together, but it will still work if you choose to do it. Use the measuring tape and tally the distances. 4.6 out of 5 stars 23. These wire splicing techniques are also useful in hooking up car stereos and other electronics around It’s better to slightly overestimate than underestimate — slack is easy to manage, and splicing involves a bit of trimming anyway. We are the team behind BoomSpeaker. The passenger side is the same as this just different wire colors seen below. When you do this, make sure you have 16′ 7.2″ from the splice to the attachment loop. You want the wires to be in-phase like that — if you’re unsure, you can test speaker wires with a battery. This splicing technique is very sturdy if done correctly, but it’s also bulky and unattractive. For more information, check out my about me page! Low Voltage Wire Connector, Quick Solderless Wire Splice Connector, 12 Pack T Tap Wire Connectors, No Stripping Speaker Wire Splice, Fits 24-20 AWG Stranded/Solid Electrical Wires, T Type 2 Pin. Just double-check that the wires are of the proper gauge per speaker (if there are varying gauges). They are harder to twist and will easily separate. Would some kind of butt connectors be better?, or should I … Heat with a lighter or heat gun for a few seconds and it all melts together. Crimp connectors are durable, easy to use, effective (thanks to the electrically-conductive metal tube on the inside), and won’t cost you much. For light wire, such as stereo speaker wires, when two wires are joined, cross Are you trying to connect 3 sections of speaker wire together. front left/right, center, surround left/right, etc.) Now, there’s a way to splice speaker wires, and then there’s a better way. pin, spade, banana plug). At the end of that wire, twist the wire to form an attachment loop. Choose any remaining wire and label/assign it to a speaker. It’s a heat shrink tube with a solder ring in it. Your spool is almost depleted and you don't have enough speaker cable to run a completely new cable. Finish the three-wire pigtail splice by securing it with a mechanical connector as we discuss below. You could install brand new speaker wire cut to exact lengths and reconnect everything — you won’t go broke for it. A hot air gun or a blow dryer set to high heat is best (held a few inches away), but you can use a lighter (held about an inch away) if you’re extremely careful. Large-sized twist-on wire nuts are the most economical way to splice 10ga. This is hands-down the most reliable way to extend & splice speaker as when done properly soldered wire is extremely strong. Mark Now that we have seen the various types of wire splice connectors available, you can go ahead and hook up your audio system. Insert the first wire into one end as far as it will go and crimp that side only. If you have wires that don’t need splicing, label them (sticky tabs, or a pen and piece of tape works) with the assigned speaker and set them aside. You could twist speaker wires together and use electrical tape. It’s also important to note that butt connectors are only compatible with stranded wires and should not be used with solid-core wires under any circumstance. Boomspeaker is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking https://boomspeaker.com to Amazon properties including, but not limited to, amazon.com, endless.com, myhabit.com, smallparts.com, or amazonwireless.com. I am an Electronics Engineer who grew up addicted to electronics, especially AV equipment. With the right techniques, wires can be made less prominent visually and physically (i.e. Splicing 10ga. Also, we hope we helped you if you were wondering how to join speaker cables together. The only downside to using butt splices is that they don’t maintain physical contact between the wires. There’s a chance that some of those wires might be the right length for some speakers, where no splicing will need to be done. Label the pairs of wires, set them aside, and cross the speaker off your notes. Unplug and examine all speaker wires — any that appear damaged or in poor condition should be thrown out — before setting aside for later use. But before you start, you might want to consider installing speaker wire connectors (e.g. Splitting the output of your amp to 3 speakers? You can turn the speaker cables together and use electric tape. If you are just making a wire longer - no you wont have any audible difference. Hold up both ends to form an “X” shape with the wire facing opposite directions. Apply Heat: Now, apply heat to shrink the connectors using your heat source. I'm using the h/d 12 guage wire. It involves connecting two wires by twisting them and wrapping the joint with electrical tape. DVD & Home Theater Gear - Is it a bad idea to splice 2 speaker wires together? However, you do have enough to splice it together with the short wire to make the Go to the end of the wire and pull them apart about 1–2 in (2.5–5.1 cm) down from the tip. Repeat this process with the positive ends of the bare wire with another crimp connector. Double-check the speaker/receiver connections on any that are not. My speaker wire runs were previously split to go in and out of the bass module. How To: Splice Wires Whether you're swapping in a new light fixture or adding an outlet in the garage, you'll probably need to reconnect wires, connect a new wire … These methods have their strengths and weaknesses, but they do not affect the audio quality of your speakers. Stanley Goodner is a former Lifewire writer who writes about audio equipment, music management, computer hardware, and other consumer technologies. Repeat for the other wire on the other end of the connector. Their main advantage is that they result in the most attractive appearance that any splicing method can achieve. Well, if you work with any type of electrical wiring, and need to join 2 pieces of wire you have 2 choices, pigtail or inline Pigtail splices are when you hold the 2 pieces of wire, one end going up, the other going down, and twist their stripped ends together. Once the speakers have been placed, the next step is to determine the length of wire required to connect each speaker to the stereo system. is actually which wonderful???. Hold both ends and tightly twist each end around the other until they’re completely wrapped over each other. When setting up your audio system, it can be very disappointing when one of the wires are too short to connect your devices. Once you have done so, cut the speaker wires to your suit. How to splice speaker wire Now, there’s a way to splice speaker wires , and then there’s a better way. Also called pig-tail sleeves, these speaker wire connectors come in various sizes to fit the specific gauge of wire that you are using. Now that you’ve successfully spliced all the wire, the last thing to do is connect speakers to the stereo receiver/amplifier or home theater system. This is especially true for larger wires. Slide it onto one wire, connect the wires and twist together, then slide the tube so the solder ring is over the joint. Strip the insulation from the tip of each strand exposing about a half-inch of the bare metal strands. This is not absolutely necessary but is a great idea to fully seal the connectors and prevent water from seeping in of the connectors from falling off. Once the speakers have been placed, the next step is to determine the length of wire required to connect each speaker to the stereo system.Strip Wire and Attach Crimp Connectors. This is why you should use a good set of wire twist pliers. I’m Norvan. Now, I would need an additional 65 feet of wire to get the rears connected with "home runs". The most secure and durable way to splice two wires together is to solder them. Repeat this process with any remaining speakers on the list. Cut & strip the speaker wire (at least 1/2″ length of bare wire is needed). For instance, you can use it to connect full range speakers with wires running through your ceiling or under the carpet. Strip about one-quarter inch of insulation off of each wire to be connected. How to Twist Electrical Wires Together When Making a Splice. Keep in mind that you may require some additional knowledge on the correct way to accomplish the task at hand. Time permitting, this can be a great opportunity to consider how you might hide or disguise speaker wire in living areas. Here’s what you’ll need to get started: Before you start splicing, you’ll want to properly set up the speakers and equipment. or larger will probably require a torch, which will certainly ruin the insulation. I have a "computer" 5.1 … When finished, measure all the speaker wire you had previously set aside and compared it to your notes. That means that this method is best suitable for out-of-sight applications. When using crimped caps, you will need to have proper crimping tools. 80. Turn the power off to the home stereo receiver/amplifier and disconnect power cords. Rearranging living areas is a great way to open up more space and/or make room for new furniture. splicing speaker wire together 277562 Splicing Speaker Wire together publish splicing-speaker-wire-together. For telephones, you will need specialized splicing devices. I had to cut the front l/r speaker wires for the LFE hook up (way to long) and was wondering if splicing the wires back together ( with solder) would be alright or is it better to run 2 new wires. Now that we have seen the various types of wire splice connectors available, you can go ahead and hook up your audio system. You could twist speaker wires together and use electrical tape. We comprise of audiophiles, audiovisual experts and casual music lovers. Just like with other connectors, you should avoid stripping the wire too far to ensure that the sleeves cover the stripped area. Now, there's a way to break the speaker cables, and then there's a better way. That’s because these connectors allow you to insert each wire half-way, maintaining the continuity of the electrical current through its body. Because butt connectors are normally subject to such conditions (within the ceiling or under the carpet), its important that you purchase good, sturdy connectors such as Sopoby Butt Connectors. 1) Strip the wires of about 1/2 in. Slowly rotate the wires/connectors so that you get around all sides. The best option for looks and reliability is an in-line electrical crimp connector (also known as ‘butt’ connector). Using the wire cutters, strip off exterior jacket/insulation so that all four ends have a quarter inch of exposed copper wire (if the package instructions list a different length, go with that). How to solder speaker wire. However, it probably means relocating all your speakers and home theater equipment. Next to the splice, make another small loop, using two zip-ties. Continue stripping speaker wires and attaching/shrinking crimp connectors until all lengths have been spliced and extended accordingly. My speaker wire has a white wire and a black wire within it. Let’s Explore these Splicing Methods and the best speaker wire splice connectors that exist. thanks for the input!! So I tried splicing a new aux cable into the speaker wire all mashed together (like an idiot). OR. However, this technique is very unreliable and therefore not recommendable when working with electronic devices. Use the correct butt splices – yellow for 12-gauge, blue for 14-gauge – and the correct crimper, one of these. We write for BoomSpeaker because it's our passion; our aim is to provide the very best information on the best audio equipment out there so you can enjoy your music better than ever before. These types (when the wire is connected through the side) are useful for those interested in daisy-chaining speaker connections. Give yourself an extra inch or so and make the cut using the wire strippers. To begin, follow the wire cutting & stripping steps from the first section (using crimp connectors). Is it a bad idea to solder the 2 pieces together to make 1 wire? Cross those speakers off of your notes so you know they’ve been accounted for. The crimp casings will shrink snug against the speaker wire, which creates a protective and waterproof seal. not as much of a tripping hazard). Properly Splice Aluminum Wire: In this Instructable, I'm going to teach you how how to make proper aluminum wire connections to ensure that they do not heat up, arc, and/or catch fire like many improperly performed splices have been known to do.Note that this guide will also work… I was thinking about splicing the split wires together and connect with electical wire nuts. Moreover, electrical tapes tend to loosen with time, as the adhesive breaks down. And while twist-on wire nuts may be satisfactory for splicing electrical wire, which is generally hidden behind boxes or panels, they tend to be an ugly eyesore when used with home audio equipment. - I need a 50 foot length of speaker wire. And though you can fix this problem by spending a few dollars on new cables, you can still use your old wires to accomplish the task at hand by simply using splice connectors to join the wires. Stick the speaker wire in and then tighten the connector to lock it in place (you can see the parts sandwiching together). 3) Heat the shrink tube to make it shrink down around the wire. in a notepad. And while twist-on wire nuts may be satisfactory for splicing electrical wire, which is generally hidden behind boxes or panels, they tend to be an ugly eyesore when used with home audio equipment. below, we will show you how to quickly and easily splice speaker wires. Calculate the difference between the length of wire you have versus what the speaker needs — this is how much you’ll have to cut from the spool of speaker wire. As such, this method is the best choice if physical space and aesthetics are an issue of concern. speaker wire, a 100 watt solder gun or iron is recommended. Just remember that crimp connectors are meant for stranded speaker wire (most common) and not solid core wire. Get it as soon as Thu, Feb 18. Take one set of wires that you intend to splice and place the ends/terminals next to each other — negative to negative (-), positive to positive (+).Apply Heat to Shrink Connectors. Take one set of wires that you intend to splice and place the ends/terminals next to each other — negative to negative (-), positive to positive (+). The plastic casing should be easy to pull apart, so don't use scissors or a sharp object to cut it or you could risk accidentally stripping your wire casing in the wrong place. But tape wears out over time, and the smallest tug on the wires can easily separate that type (usually a Y) of connection. Take both negative ends of bare wire and insert them into opposite sides of a crimp connector (double-check that it matches the gauge). Think about image above? $9.80 $ 9. Attach Crimp Connectors: Now attach the crimp connectors by taking the bare wires and inserting them into opposite sides of a crimp connector. You could twist speaker wires together and use electrical tape. You can separate the individual wires (positive and negative terminals) by an inch so that you have room to work with. But tape wears out over time, and the smallest tug on the wires can easily separate that type (usually a Y) of connection. The aux cable has just regular copper wire with a white wire in the middle of it. I'll need to get about 60' of new wire to do this. Your speaker wire will have two "sides", one positive and one negative. Splicing speaker wires is quite easy, once you have the necessary tools. Additionally, you can check out a more in-depth look at speaker wire connector types. Can you splice two speaker wires together? 2) Heat the joint with a soldering iron or pencil from underneath. These wire splicing techniques are also useful in hooking up car stereos and other electronics around your house. However, it recommendable to use the best 3M electrical seal tapes if you must use the twist and tape method. Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day, Lifewire uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience. You can also find speaker wire connectors that are open screw only. Anyway, spliced my purchased speaker wire into the cars and ran a good length down the bottom and up through the back end of the back seat and put the plastic pieces back in place. Speaker wire connectors make plugging into spring clips or binding posts a breeze. So I've got a small sound system at home and the right speaker stopped working. Now you’re free to move speakers to their new locations. If you don’t know how, you can follow our guide on how to solder speaker wires. Despite your best efforts to measure everything perfectly, you ran your speaker wire and came up a foot or two short. Power/Ground/Remote This is from the trunk if you couldn't tell. Once you’re done, test the stereo system to make sure that all of the speakers are working properly. Before however, here is a list of the tools you will need: Now that you have everything, here are the steps you should take to splice your speaker wires: Measure Wire Length and Cut: The first step is to measure the length of wires you will need based on speaker and other device placement in the room. The Forever Cap CCSS1414 13 x 13-Inch Stainless Steel 5/8-Inch... LETHMIK Flat Cap Cabby Hat Genuine Leather Vintage Newsboy Cap... How to Connect Four Speakers To A 2-Channel Amp, Connecting Multiple Speakers To An Amplifier, 5 Best Speaker Dust Cap Glues | Speaker Repair Glues, 5 Best Docking Stations With Speakers For Android Phones, Top 10 Best Bluetooth Speakers With USB 2021, Front Height Speakers vs Surround Back: 5.1 Going to 7.1, How to Prevent Unauthorized Access to Bluetooth Speakers, How to Get Audiophile Sound From Your Computer, Spool of speaker wire (this should match the gauge of existing wire), Electrical crimp connectors (should also matching gauge of existing wire). This is my method to doing a t-splice (splicing a new wire into an existing wire) without solder. That is very common if you use this technique to connect wires in a dusty, hot or wet area. Splicing wires using various tools and methods, discussing pros and cons. That’s because the splice will easily separate when exposed to any amount of tension. Plus, most are designed to provide a weatherproof seal, which is desirable when installing outdoor speakers. Just make sure to strain-relief the breaks, and make sure bare wire from the + to the - side can never touch or cause a short. But the tape runs out over time, and the smaller tow truck from the cables can … An alternative here is to solder the wires for a stronger connection. Also, we hope we helped you if you were wondering how to join speaker cables together. I have 2 thirty foot lengths. Split a few inches of each end of the new wire, forming a “Y‿ shape. I hope you will find the information useful. The only problem is, you can easily compromise the structure of the wires. The Forever Cap CCSS6R 6-Inch Stainless Steel Slip in Round... Stetson Men's Gable Rain Safari Hat, Black, X-Large. Using the crimping section of the wire cutters (it should be marked so that you correctly match the gauge), firmly squeeze the connector (slightly off-center) so that the connector’s metal tubing shuts closed around one of the bare wires; do this once more for the other bare wire. We often receive lots of questions about height vs surround speaker systems. Hold the wires with your offhand — a few inches below the crimp connections — as you apply the heat. Once you have crimp connectors attached to both positive and negative wire ends, gently apply a heat source to shrink the connectors. This would be the best time to do it since you already have the tools and wires right there. So I've restripped everything back out but cant figure out what to do. After the soldering iron is hot, apply heat to the wire with the tip. Strip Wires: Use your wire stripper to strip away the plastic coating around the ends of the wires you intend to connect. Hi! How To Splice Speaker Wire. It’s good to make sure everything is off before making any kind of wire connections. For best results use a crimping tool, but a pair of pliers will work in a pinch. Some electrical crimp connectors are designed with a bit of solder on the inside, which melts from the heat and fuses the wires together for a stronger connection. I created BoomSpeaker as an online resource for everything you need to know about Audio/Video systems and Home Theaters.

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