Solder or No Solder

T-Bone

When installing my ceiling speakers should I solder the connections or no? If yes any special material or instructions?

madmax

I would suggest a good crimp connection on a spade which pushes on the speaker blades. Remember, a crimp is the best connection, solder only keeps it secure.
madmax

WilliamM2

I'm just curious. Why is a crimp connection the best connection?

bknauss

There's a difference in resistance (less from crimp) and area that makes contact (more for crimp). I'm not going to say one way or another if it makes an audible difference cause I've never done an A/B comparison.

WilliamM2

Interesting, I would have thought a proper solder would have more contact, as it fills all the voids, and therefore less resistance.

Moot point for me, as all my connections are bare wire.

AlanD

I was reading that a high-quality crimp (i.e. almost cold welded) is the best approach, but that solder is frequently preferred since it's "easy" to get a good connection. I've A/B'd and have never been able to tell the difference between soldered or crimped connections. I think it's more about convenience.

F1nut

Crimp and solder......best of both worlds.

dorokusai

I prefer to have my crimps blessed by a Rabbi wearing an OFC yamulke. There is definetly an audible difference.

WilliamM2

Have you compared cables blessed by a Rabbi to cables blessed by a Priest?;)

dorokusai

I figured that since I'm not Jewish, that an objective blessing by a different faith would show the largest improvement.

happierears

the last one i had done was by a Southern Baptist preacher...it did excellent until the next saturday night when it busrt into flames and threw brimstone all over my listening room :mad: :eek: :rolleyes: :mad: ......:D #9