DIY Canare 4S11 Biwires

zingo

I am starting a DIY speaker wire project with Canare 4S11 stock. I just ordered all the parts so it will most likely take them a week to arrive. As I build the cables I will take pictures and keep ya'll updated on the process. My goal was to make a nice pair of wires that were finished professionally looking. I was going to order a pair from Bluejeans, but I thought it would be fun to do it myself and I think I have a few tricks to make them look even better. I'll be checking in...

engtaz

Good luck and keep us informed on the progress.

george daniel

have fun,, show us some pics in various stages.

zingo

I have decided to make a pair of 5' cables. I figured that wouldn't be too much material for a short run, but allows enough room for cable play and will make it so the cables aren't specific to this install.

Parts List:
Canare 4S11 from Bluejeans - 12' for $12.60
GLS Audio 24K Gold Banana Plugs from Speakerrepair - 20 for $29.75
Black 1/2" Techflex CleanCut from Partsexpress - 25' for $12.67
Black Cable Pants 9.5mm 4-Conductor from Partsexpress - 10 for $8.50
Red and black heat shrink from my own shop - the best price

As you can see, the parts I ordered are more than I need. I planned it this way because, if all goes well with this pair, I want to make another pair for my KEFs. Plus, some of the products don't come in a small amount for a low enough price point.
The cable, Techflex, and cable pants were a pretty good price. I could have bought the cable for a little cheaper else where besides BJ, but I like their company and I like that they are a Seattle business. The banana plugs were an incredible price at $1.50 each for a high quality, 3-piece plug. Plus you can't argue with the look of black and gold connectors on black cables.
With the prices calculated out to the 5' cable with quad connections on each end, a pair will cost about $50 with the cost of the shipping absorbed in. Pictures to come as packages arrive.

zingo

The cable stock I ordered from JB came today and I ordered it online Saturday! They are a great company... or maybe its that I only live down the block...

zingo

I finally received all my parts in the mail. Here are some pictures of what is going on so far. I assembled a demo piece from an excess piece of wire that I cut off. It looks good but does not include the Techflex. (Can't reveal the finished magic yet...)

Mike Reeter

Lookin good,I'm needing some bananas also,how does this brand attach to the wire itself ? Twist,set screws,or solder ?

Many thanks,and once again,good lookin wires!!

ben62670

Looking good. I love to do things myself. It gives greater satisfaction if you get it done right in the end :eek:

Bill Ayotte

Mike Reeter wrote: »

Lookin good,I'm needing some bananas also,how does this brand attach to the wire itself ? Twist,set screws,or solder ?

Many thanks,and once again,good lookin wires!!

I made a set of Cardas Crosslink speaker cables with Eichmann Bayonets...The bodies are a little fragile, but they solder up real nice.....Vampire makes some killer bananas as well....

Mike Reeter

Bill Ayotte wrote: »

I made a set of Cardas Crosslink speaker cables with Eichmann Bayonets...The bodies are a little fragile, but they solder up real nice.....Vampire makes some killer bananas as well....

Thanks Bill,I will check these out.

Bill Ayotte

The Eichmann's are kinda expensive, but in my mind they are worth it....Haven't tried the Vampires out yet, but got to hold a few sets...They seem worthwhile...

zingo

I am using the GLS Black Chrome 24K Gold Banana Plug. I bought 20 of them for $30, which is a fantastic price since they are pretty high quality. They have a three piece design where you feed the two bottom pieces over the wire, screw compress the wire into the tip, then screw the middle piece onto the tip to secure it and screw the bottom piece onto the middle to secure it onto the wire insulation. But that was confusing so here is the image. Hope this helps Mike.

dorokusai

Great DIY adventure!

ben62670

zingo wrote: »

I am using the GLS Black Chrome 24K Gold Banana Plug. I bought 20 of them for $30, which is a fantastic price since they are pretty high quality. They have a three piece design where you feed the two bottom pieces over the wire, screw compress the wire into the tip, then screw the middle piece onto the tip to secure it and screw the bottom piece onto the middle to secure it onto the wire insulation. But that was confusing so here is the image. Hope this helps Mike.

wow nice
Where did you get them at that price?

zingo

speakerrepair.com
They have a limited selection of parts, but some really good prices. They also arrived with normal shipping in 4 days.

Mike Reeter

zingo wrote: »

I am using the GLS Black Chrome 24K Gold Banana Plug. I bought 20 of them for $30, which is a fantastic price since they are pretty high quality. They have a three piece design where you feed the two bottom pieces over the wire, screw compress the wire into the tip, then screw the middle piece onto the tip to secure it and screw the bottom piece onto the middle to secure it onto the wire insulation. But that was confusing so here is the image. Hope this helps Mike.

Thank you,,,I like the looks of these,,,do you know by chance what is the max. gauge of wire they will accommodate?

Mike

zingo

I believe they will work with speaker wire up to 10 gauge. They are definitely the best plugs I've ever used.

http://www.speakerrepair.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=AHH_Banana

Mike Reeter

zingo wrote: »

I believe they will work with speaker wire up to 10 gauge. They are definitely the best plugs I've ever used.

http://www.speakerrepair.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=AHH_Banana

Thanks man,You've been a big help.

haimoc

Picture of my pair of DIY Canare speaker cables with locking bananas...

ben62670

They look expensive, but how do they sound:D

zingo

Sorry about the wait guys. I will make it into the shop on Friday and I will finish the cables then. Pictures will be posted.

My tests so far have come through really well. The cables bring through good bass and just bring out the sound a titch from other cables. More to come...

McLoki

zingo wrote: »

I believe they will work with speaker wire up to 10 gauge. They are definitely the best plugs I've ever used.

I am using the GLS plugs on 10 guage wire from blujeans cable. (10White) It appears that they will hold greater than 10 guage but not by much. (maybe 8 or 9 max)

They work really well, but I kind of wish I had purchased the locking plugs.

Michael

zingo

I actually went the other way on my decision. I was first disappointed that I didn't buy the locking plugs, but now I just think they are one more thing to deal with.

zingo

Well it took along time for me to get to using the camera, but here are the cables in all their beauty. Oh, and I am taking orders if you are wondering.

engtaz

Very nice , clean and good finish. Excellent work. What do you estimate the cost of materials was for each cable you did?

zingo

engtaz wrote: »

Very nice , clean and good finish. Excellent work. What do you estimate the cost of materials was for each cable you did?

Parts List:
Canare 4S11 from Bluejeans - 12' for $12.60
GLS Audio 24K Gold Banana Plugs from Speakerrepair - 20 for $29.75
Black 1/2" Techflex CleanCut from Partsexpress - 25' for $12.67
Black Cable Pants 9.5mm 4-Conductor from Partsexpress - 10 for $8.50
Red and black heat shrink from my own shop - the best price

As you can see, the parts I ordered are more than I need. I planned it this way because, if all goes well with this pair, I want to make another pair for my KEFs. Plus, some of the products don't come in a small amount for a low enough price point.
The cable, Techflex, and cable pants were a pretty good price. I could have bought the cable for a little cheaper else where besides BJ, but I like their company and I like that they are a Seattle business. The banana plugs were an incredible price at $1.50 each for a high quality, 3-piece plug. Plus you can't argue with the look of black and gold connectors on black cables.
With the prices calculated out to the 5' cable with quad connections on each end, a pair will cost about $50 with the cost of the shipping absorbed in.

engtaz

Thanks

schwarcw

Nice job!

So if I added correctly, you have about $63 invested to build a 5 ft pair of bi-wires? That's a great price and a superb looking product! Thanks for posting you fine work!

MuchoGrande

schwarcw wrote: »

Nice job!

So if I added correctly, you have about $63 invested to build a 5 ft pair of bi-wires? That's a great price and a superb looking product! Thanks for posting you fine work!

seems like $29 bucks since he has left over material tha the can use for more cable.

MuchoGrande

so, how would you hook this on the amp side? i thought bi-wire (single amp) you had to connect boths reds to one post and both blacks to the other post. seems with those banana plugs you cant do that.

couch21

Nice thread, thanks!