Budget DIY cables

seabeerob213

looking to make my own speaker cables, just as an experiment and maybe hobby, any suggestions on good cable, terminations, where to purchase, and any other advice? new to the audio world, and want to learn as much as i can, any advice would help. looking to keep it under 60 dollars and want to make 15-20 foot cables to use for my surrounds

zingo

Monoprice bulk 12AWG speaker cable with screw banana plugs:

http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10239&cs_id=1023901&p_id=2816&seq=1&format=2

http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=104&cp_id=10401&cs_id=1040115&p_id=2801&seq=1&format=2

helipilotdoug

Very good 14AWG cable http://www.douglasconnection.com/Furez-14AWG-2-Conductor-Speaker-Cable-Raw-FZ142.htm
Take your pick of these banana plugs http://www.douglasconnection.com/Banana-Connectors_c11.htm
Or spade connectors: http://www.douglasconnection.com/Spade-Speaker-Cable-Connectors_c12.htm
It is possible to find good quality connectors and remain within your budget for these cables. Let me know if we can help.

trav0810

Doug will treat you right. His products are top quality and the prices are good. He should certainly be able to take care of you while staying within your budget.

zingo

I'll back Doug on the Furez components as nice (yet budget) step up from the standard monoprice stuff.

specd_out

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?129329-Made-My-own-speaker-Cables

These are the ones I made. I think I paid somewhere in the $50-60 to make the front sound stage wires. I went with the heavy gauge wire because I liked the look of the fat cable lol.

I dunno if it sounds better but I know the construction is solid and the nanners are nice and tight. Those Namakachi nanners are very nice for the money. Hold the wire better then any other nanner, and keep a very solid connection on the amp and speaker ends.

daboyz

helipilotdoug wrote: »

Very good 14AWG cable http://www.douglasconnection.com/Furez-14AWG-2-Conductor-Speaker-Cable-Raw-FZ142.htm
Take your pick of these banana plugs http://www.douglasconnection.com/Banana-Connectors_c11.htm
Or spade connectors: http://www.douglasconnection.com/Spade-Speaker-Cable-Connectors_c12.htm
It is possible to find good quality connectors and remain within your budget for these cables. Let me know if we can help.

Go with these. Very,very nice. Thank me later.

Face

I'd recommend gold plated copper spades over nanners: http://www.douglasconnection.com/Spade-Speaker-Cable-Connectors_c12.htm

Only because most copper based nanners are $$$. And avoid any termination from Monoprice, pure junk.

seabeerob213

Thanks for all the help, whats your take oon these wires, i know it will raise my budget, http://www.douglasconnection.com/Furutech-FS-301-14-AWG-Speaker-Cable-FUFS301SpeakerWire.htm

just ordered some canare 411s from legit cables, with nakamichi bananas, going to use those as fronts and examples for now

seabeerob213

so out of boredom, i used what i had laying around to make some cheap diy cables, i used 10 feet of 14AWG rca stranded sreaker wire, seperated it into 2 single wires, cut into 4, 5 foot wires, and made into a 4x14 wire, terminated one end with the cheap bananas i have(sewell direct) and the other end is bare wire twisted tightly together, testing my system with the 14 awg at 5 feet vs the one i made at 5 feet, one for left one for right, the left seems to open up more, i can hear more of my music, particularly highs such as cymbals, i will make another one and post the pics, this really is just a rainy day expiriment, and in no way a permanent cable

seabeerob213

any recomendations for heatshrink and other such components?

seabeerob213

ordered all heatshrink and teck flex and such from parts express a couple weeks back, still wont be here till Jan. i hate fpo

jon s

I am making a pair of 6 ft speaker cables using 30awg enameled insulated solid copper core magnet wire. Right now, each cable has 48 strands and to be truthful, it was a real pain to make. I had to make a rig using a 6 ft plank with nails at each end. Run the copper wire back and forth for the 48 strands. Cut the wire and then strip the insulation off each strand. I want to make each lead 96 strands, but it is easier to make it into two 48 strand leads and combine them to make a 96 strand lead, or total 192 strands per cable.

The theory from what I read is that uninsulated stranded wire has signal jumping from one strand to another causing phase issues. Also, high frequencies run better through thin gauge wire while bass travels better through thicker gauge wire.

I tested the 48 strands and to be frank, I was disappointed in some respects but surprised at others. The cable contrary to what I read, improved the bass output, had better depth and soundstage and better focus. What was wrong was that the high end was definitely affected negatively. There was a reduction of openness or air to the sound. I am continuing to increase the strands but may cap it at 72 strands as the banana plugs I am using may not accept more than that.

My feeling is that the copper in the magnet wire may not be pure enough for audio use as lower grades of copper does affect the sound. I have compared the sound with plain zip cord and it does sound better. Monster XP Cable has a better high end but loses in focus, bass and sound stage, completely opposite with what my home made cables does. I am not sure how the sound will be with the added strands but will post once I have progressed further.

steveinaz

You might experiment with some Radio Shack 18awg solid copper conductor stuff in a braided array? bet that would sound good.

seabeerob213

kinda liking those cables i made, and theyre just crappy nanners and cable

jon s

Here are a couple of pictures of my rig...

I ran the cable along the board. I then wrapped small pieces of tape every foot or so to keep the strands from unraveling when I cut the wires. After cutting the wires, I fanned the ends out and used sandpaper to remove the enamel, a lot faster than using a knife. Could not find any wire strippers than could handle the enameled finish.

slider2828

Wow looking good.