New Internal Wiring for 3.1TL's

Mike Reeter

After enjoying the results of a rewire in the 2.3TL's, I decided to give the 3.1's the same treatment. I used 13 ga. Supra Rondo.



I went against Polks original color choice and instead utilized 'Mike Color Choices' Red for Positive, Black for Negative. Ordered a few feet extra and made up some Jumpers as well.



Putting them all back together and going to let the new wire 'settle in' for a bit before giving them a proper listen.

soupbone

Looking forward to hear how this works out Mike.

pitdogg2

Nice Mike! I did the same when I rewired my 2.3tl's with DH Labs 14ga. Silver plated OCC copper. Red + Black-

JayCee

soupbone wrote: »

Looking forward to hear how this works out Mike.

Likewise. Have upgraded multiple sets of speakers but the one thing I've never done is internal wire and would be the finishing touch on my 1.2tl's (owned since 2010'ish). I also have a new to me pair of 3.1tl's that I just worked over the XO's, dynamat, BH5, etc. and am waiting on the last 2 inductors that were backordered. Mike, what was the total length of wire for the 3.1's?

Mike Reeter

soupbone wrote: »

Looking forward to hear how this works out Mike.

I can tell you now, it's a worthwhile improvement. The Stock Wire is around thirty years old, I believe it needs to be refreshed along with the x-overs, and Binding Posts, etc.

pitdogg2 wrote: »

Nice Mike! I did the same when I rewired my 2.3tl's with DH Labs 14ga. Silver plated OCC copper. Red + Black-

Yes, Your Thread, machones, and others that have upgraded Internal Wiring prompted me to perform this on my 2.3TL's. The difference is quite notable, the 3.1's are liking the fresh wire as well.

JayCee wrote: »

soupbone wrote: »

Looking forward to hear how this works out Mike.

Likewise. Have upgraded multiple sets of speakers but the one thing I've never done is internal wire and would be the finishing touch on my 1.2tl's (owned since 2010'ish). I also have a new to me pair of 3.1tl's that I just worked over the XO's, dynamat, BH5, etc. and am waiting on the last 2 inductors that were backordered. Mike, what was the total length of wire for the 3.1's?

For the 3.1TL's I purchased 34' total of Supra Rondo 2x25mm from Madisound, this gave me 68' of total wire. But, I ordered about 4' extra to make up some jumpers as well. So, just for the speakers around 30' should do it.

I'm not positively for sure, but I think Polk originally used a higher caliber wire in the 1.2TL's. Some Cardas, maybe?

I'm sure someone knows for a fact.

pitdogg2

Mike Reeter wrote: »

I'm not positively for sure, but I think Polk originally used a higher caliber wire in the 1.2TL's. Some Cardas, maybe?

I'm sure someone knows for a fact.

Yea They (1.2) were different but to my eyes it just looked like some standard clear jacketed rope lay wire. I do not think they were Cardas as that would have required extra work since most Cardas I'm aware of has enamel coating on all the strands that would require removal or a solder pot. The quick connects would not crimp very well to that soldered end.

Yes I'd like to know as well as I have not seen the chassis wire for them up close and personal.

JayCee

Appreciate the lengths! First I've seen mention of Cardas as OE. I believe, sans searching, DK upgraded to Cardas? Kind of recall him using a soldering pot and/or scraping individual wires? In any case, my binding posts are Cardas. Glad to see you both experience positive results with the DH Labs and Supra Rondo. Have inquired re. wire a while ago and now am motivated to readdress and get me read on. Thanks, gents.

....edit to add: Found it, DK upgraded to Cardas Litz back in 2013. As per a DK production, detailed and informative. https://forum.polkaudio.com/discussion/139282/cardas-internal-wire-replacement-for-the-sda-srs-1-2tl/p1

Mike Reeter

JayCee wrote: »

Appreciate the lengths! First I've seen mention of Cardas as OE. I believe, sans searching, DK upgraded to Cardas? Kind of recall him using a soldering pot and/or scraping individual wires? In any case, my binding posts are Cardas. Glad to see you both experience positive results with the DH Labs and Supra Rondo. Have inquired re. wire a while ago and now am motivated to readdress and get me read on. Thanks, gents.

....edit to add: Found it, DK upgraded to Cardas Litz back in 2013. As per a DK production, detailed and informative. https://forum.polkaudio.com/discussion/139282/cardas-internal-wire-replacement-for-the-sda-srs-1-2tl/p1

I was close as in Hand Grenades

GlennDog

Lots of new kit at the Reeter household . . . Rock on, bother! 🥳

Mike Reeter

GlennDog wrote: »

Lots of new kit at the Reeter household . . . Rock on, bother! 🥳

I'm doin' just that The Amber and the new Transport are more than likely going to be all the new 'kit' that I come by this year.

I've spent a little time working on the SDAs as of late, Winter Projects that keep me outta the Bars

F1nut

Polk never used Cardas wire. The stuff in the SDA SRS is clear jacketed copper of an unknown source.

verb

Nice job Mike!

westmassguy

Nice work Mike!

Mike Reeter

westmassguy wrote: »

Nice work Mike!

Thanks David! I leave the complicated work to those like you that 'know what their doing'

machone

It looks great.

Mike Reeter

verb wrote: »

Nice job Mike!

Thanks, A Rewarding Project that won't break the Bank.

machone wrote: »

It looks great.

Thanks man, you and others prompted this Tweak some time ago, the 3.1's have responded rather nicely.

Gardenstater

@Mike Reeter Very nice work indeed. I see that Supra Cables claims that the tin plating over the 5N OFC Copper (nice) reduces the chances of electrons making the strand to strand jump......hmmm.

Is this the stuff you used.......Supra RONDO 2x2.5mm Speaker Wire per foot (13 AWG).
I already ordered Neotech OCC 12 ga for my midbass driver, 15.5 ga. Cardas Litz for the tweeter circuits, and 11.5 ga. Cardas Litz for the binding post to crossover and enough of that to make a swapout for the Neotech to see which sounds better, for re-wiring my 7Bs which is much less of a hard job than what you had:

https://www.madisoundspeakerstore.com/speaker-wire/supra-rondo-2x2.5mm-speaker-wire-per-foot-13-awg/

Mike Reeter

Gardenstater wrote: »

@Mike Reeter Very nice work indeed. I see that Supra Cables claims that the tin plating over the 5N OFC Copper (nice) reduces the chances of electrons making the strand to strand jump......hmmm.

Is this the stuff you used.......Supra RONDO 2x2.5mm Speaker Wire per foot (13 AWG).
I already ordered Neotech OCC 12 ga for my midbass driver, 15.5 ga. Cardas Litz for the tweeter circuits, and 11.5 ga. Cardas Litz for the binding post to crossover and enough of that to make a swapout for the Neotech to see which sounds better, for re-wiring my 7Bs which is much less of a hard job than what you had:

https://www.madisoundspeakerstore.com/speaker-wire/supra-rondo-2x2.5mm-speaker-wire-per-foot-13-awg/

Yes, this is the wire that I used for both the 2.3TL's and the 3.1's. It is very easy to work with and has a 'smooth' sonic signature to it. I used the same wire throughout, including Jumpers.

Trey "VR3" has used this wire for quite some time I believe, I think Larry "Toolfan" has used this wire as well in his Supreme 1.2TL's as well.

I figured if these guys were happy with it, it would work for me. And, it certainly does.

A little less expensive here https://www.ebay.com/itm/SUPRA-Rondo-4x2-5-by-the-meter-for-DIY-BI-WIRE-or-BI-AMP-What-HiFi-BEST-BUY/151370352553?hash=item233e6047a9:g:~~wAAMXQxKxR84BL plus you get some White/Light Grey also.

VR3

The rondo series is fantastic for internal wiring. Easy to work with, flexible, won't oxidize, sounds great, easy to solder, can't beat it

pkquat

What are the thoughts on Supra Classic (13, 11, 9Ga) vs. Rondo?

Mike Reeter

I can't help you out as I've never tried the Classic wire. VR3 might chime in, I'm sure he has experience with both.

Or, you might just give Madisound a call. They answer the phone and are very helpful.

VR3

The classic series is ok but the jacket does not hold up well to soldering

headrott

Mike Reeter wrote: »

soupbone wrote: »

Looking forward to hear how this works out Mike.

I can tell you now, it's a worthwhile improvement. The Stock Wire is around thirty years old, I believe it needs to be refreshed along with the x-overs, and Binding Posts, etc.

pitdogg2 wrote: »

Nice Mike! I did the same when I rewired my 2.3tl's with DH Labs 14ga. Silver plated OCC copper. Red + Black-

Yes, Your Thread, machones, and others that have upgraded Internal Wiring prompted me to perform this on my 2.3TL's. The difference is quite notable, the 3.1's are liking the fresh wire as well.

JayCee wrote: »

soupbone wrote: »

Looking forward to hear how this works out Mike.

Likewise. Have upgraded multiple sets of speakers but the one thing I've never done is internal wire and would be the finishing touch on my 1.2tl's (owned since 2010'ish). I also have a new to me pair of 3.1tl's that I just worked over the XO's, dynamat, BH5, etc. and am waiting on the last 2 inductors that were backordered. Mike, what was the total length of wire for the 3.1's?

For the 3.1TL's I purchased 34' total of Supra Rondo 2x25mm from Madisound, this gave me 68' of total wire. But, I ordered about 4' extra to make up some jumpers as well. So, just for the speakers around 30' should do it.

I'm not positively for sure, but I think Polk originally used a higher caliber wire in the 1.2TL's. Some Cardas, maybe?

I'm sure someone knows for a fact.

Mike, do you remember the total length for the 2.3TL's? I am going to do the internal wiring for mine, and thought you may remember the total length for the 2.3TL's, since you have done yours. I have used the Supra cable in the past to make an interconnect cable for my 2B's, so I know somewhat what it sounds like.

Great job on the 3.1TL re-wiring! I may redo mine one day, but wil definitely start with my 2.3TL's.

Thanks for your help Mike.

Mike Reeter

headrott wrote: »

Mike Reeter wrote: »

soupbone wrote: »

Looking forward to hear how this works out Mike.

I can tell you now, it's a worthwhile improvement. The Stock Wire is around thirty years old, I believe it needs to be refreshed along with the x-overs, and Binding Posts, etc.

pitdogg2 wrote: »

Nice Mike! I did the same when I rewired my 2.3tl's with DH Labs 14ga. Silver plated OCC copper. Red + Black-

Yes, Your Thread, machones, and others that have upgraded Internal Wiring prompted me to perform this on my 2.3TL's. The difference is quite notable, the 3.1's are liking the fresh wire as well.

JayCee wrote: »

soupbone wrote: »

Looking forward to hear how this works out Mike.

Likewise. Have upgraded multiple sets of speakers but the one thing I've never done is internal wire and would be the finishing touch on my 1.2tl's (owned since 2010'ish). I also have a new to me pair of 3.1tl's that I just worked over the XO's, dynamat, BH5, etc. and am waiting on the last 2 inductors that were backordered. Mike, what was the total length of wire for the 3.1's?

For the 3.1TL's I purchased 34' total of Supra Rondo 2x25mm from Madisound, this gave me 68' of total wire. But, I ordered about 4' extra to make up some jumpers as well. So, just for the speakers around 30' should do it.

I'm not positively for sure, but I think Polk originally used a higher caliber wire in the 1.2TL's. Some Cardas, maybe?

I'm sure someone knows for a fact.

Mike, do you remember the total length for the 2.3TL's? I am going to do the internal wiring for mine, and thought you may remember the total length for the 2.3TL's, since you have done yours. I have used the Supra cable in the past to make an interconnect cable for my 2B's, so I know somewhat what it sounds like.

Great job on the 3.1TL re-wiring! I may redo mine one day, but wil definitely start with my 2.3TL's.

Thanks for your help Mike.

I don't remember for sure, I'll have to search for an Invoice or Payment and see what I can come up with.

pitgogg2 and machine have both rewired their 2.3TL's also, maybe one of them might remember and chime in.

**edit** Found this in an old thread
November 2017
pitdogg2 wrote: »
Thanks did you use the ohno or ofc?

OFC
It took 15 meters to do the 2.3TL's.

It takes more wire than you would think.

A good thread that has a lot of good info https://forum.polkaudio.com/discussion/182947/cardas-litz-internal-re-wire-for-2-3tl

headrott

Thank you again Mike! Great information!