DIY Budgetfile speaker cable's

sTiLlLeArNiNg

Well i am a believer in better sound reproduction through the use of better cable's, i just don't beleive you need to go broke doing it :cool:

TRUST me when i say: If i can do it in an IGLOO with only 6 beer and 2 sled dog's y'all should be able to git r done!

Here are a few pic's, sadly not best quality due to my cheezy camera phone but i think you get the idea just the same Hopefully this help's some people who were "on the fence" about making their own cable's. I had a great time doing these up and may make a bunch more down the road :cool:

If you have any question's just ask!

Part's used: Canare star quad 4s11, cryo'd nanner's, black flex tech sleeving, PTFE teflon tape and Dayton audio 4% silver solder. 18mm, 12mm & 6mm 3:1 heatshrink in black + red.

Tool's used: Tin snip's, helping hand's, box cutter, tape measure, wire stripper's/crimper's, cutting plier's and a black marker. Forgot to add that i used a paint stripper/heat gun for the heat shrink....















Thank's for looking!

Systems

They look good,nice and tidy.May I ask where you purchased the Canare from and price per ft.?

sTiLlLeArNiNg

GV#27 wrote: »

They look good,nice and tidy.May I ask where you purchased the Canare from and price per ft.?

Thank you GV

Everything (minus Dayton audio silver solder) can be picked up locally at TakeFive audio. They have a great selection of DIY supplies and AWESOME customer service! They were very helpfull in answering all my question's and making shure i was doing the right thing lol

The shipping was lightning fast! I'm talkin' next day, not even 24hrs FAST!! :eek:

VERY highly reccomended

kawizx9r

Nice cables!

Funny thing is, I was just about to post on that "banana plug opinions" thread because I took my locking naner plugs off and made another pair of jumpers. I couldn't help it but I didn't like the fact that I even had Monster wire in my system....even if it was just for the jumpers. So with that, I took some wire from my extra MIT cable and made some jumpers

Even though it doesn't matter considering the lack of LCR network box per jumper, I still have them oriented the way they're supposed to go.

Btw, USE CARDAS silver solder next time

Here ya go -

george daniel

Very nice work gentlemen--looks good,bet it smells good too.Nice job, thanks for the step by step.You deserve a "kudo"

sTiLlLeArNiNg

kawizx9r wrote: »

Nice cables!

Funny thing is, I was just about to post on that "banana plug opinions" thread because I took my locking naner plugs off and made another pair of jumpers. I couldn't help it but I didn't like the fact that I even had Monster wire in my system....even if it was just for the jumpers. So with that, I took some wire from my extra MIT cable and made some jumpers

Even though it doesn't matter considering the lack of LCR network box per jumper, I still have them oriented the way they're supposed to go.

Btw, USE CARDAS silver solder next time

Here ya go -

Thank's Freddy! Nice job yourself!

Those boxxes on the MIT's can be made for a few buck's if you know what you're doing and have a GOOD electronic's place near by IMO No matter what ever may be in/on the cable they should always be oriented with the signal flowing in the right direction :cool:

IMHO i can't really complain about the Monster cable's except for their price as i have never seen any that did not perform as intended

As i mentioned to you in a previous post there is absolutely NO need for the Cardas silver solder in this application. The Dayton is just as good and MUCH MUCH more economical The only difference AFAIK is that the Cardas has a lower melting point (185 vs 215) which IMHO is moot since we are dealing with decent gauge cable's and not printed board's, surface mount component's or tonearm wires/clips where temperature is a more critical factor

I paid $30 for a 1/2lb spool

george daniel wrote: »

Very nice work gentlemen--looks good,bet it smells good too.Nice job, thanks for the step by step.You deserve a "kudo"

Thank you again george! Not shure what you mean by the "smell's good to" comment

Also i would like to add that the key to GOOD soldering is to always keep the tip/work clean and to heat the work, NOT the solder! This will enshure a long lasting, solid, sealed connection

TECHNOKID

As i mentioned to you in a previous post there is absolutely NO need for the Cardas silver solder in this application. The Dayton is just as good and MUCH MUCH more economical The only difference AFAIK is that the Cardas has a lower melting point (185 vs 215) which IMHO is moot since we are dealing with decent gauge cable's and not printed board's, surface mount component's or tonearm wires/clips where temperature is a more critical factor

+1

Thank you again george!

Not shure what you mean by the "smell's good to" comment

The smell of fresh rubber along with the soldering hummm :cool:

Also i would like to add that the key to GOOD soldering is to always keep the tip/work clean and to heat the work, NOT the solder! This will enshure a long lasting, solid, sealed connection

You are right about this a zillion times! Clean tip will ensure minimal temperature requirement... A mistake so often done by some that aren't familiar with soldering; heating the solder over the work instead of heating the work that will in turn heat the solder and make it flow like butter in a pan creating a permanent bond between the 2 pieces which yes will lead to a long lasting connection (the 2 pieces will not split apart down the road along with a better conductivity).

Cheers!
TK

hearingimpared

I don't always agree with you and believe you are out-of-line with some of your posts but I have to say you did a nice job on those cables and the power cable in the other thread.

jimmydep

kawizx9r wrote: »

Nice Pants!!!

Good job Freddy.

+1 on what hearingimpaired said.


Jimmy

kawizx9r

Hehe thanks!

Got the pants from a karma, think you knew that . Used them temporarily for another pair but finally decided to make it permanent for the MIT jumpers.

And another +1 to the great job on the cables

sTiLlLeArNiNg

TECHNOKID wrote: »

The smell of fresh rubber along with the soldering hummm :cool:

Kinda like the smell of napalm in the morning i guess lol

TECHNOKID wrote: »

You are right about this a zillion times! Clean tip will ensure minimal temperature requirement... A mistake so often done by some that aren't familiar with soldering; heating the solder over the work instead of heating the work that will in turn heat the solder and make it flow like butter in a pan creating a permanent bond between the 2 pieces which yes will lead to a long lasting connection (the 2 pieces will not split apart down the road along with a better conductivity).

Cheers!
TK

Thank you TK! It's nice to get some kind word's from someone with your experience

After i read one of the replies i noticed someone reffered to it as a step by step so i figured i better throw in that ALL important part about how to solder correctly that i first learned in gr. 9 electronic's (Thank you Mr.Hilchey lol) Which was then later pounded into my brain at Centennial college by electronic's whiz Mr.Shivji and then again over 15+ year's of automotive service/repair/customization/racecar building/audio installation lol

hearingimpared wrote: »

I don't always agree with you and believe you are out-of-line with some of your posts but I have to say you did a nice job on those cables and the power cable in the other thread.

Thank you and i apologize that you feel the way you do, i can't help if my opinion differ's from your's. That's what make's me an individual. How this make's you come to the conclusion that i have posted "out of line" is beyond me If you like i can show you SEVERAL out of line post's directed at me during the course of my short stay here at CP :cool:

jimmydep wrote: »

Nice Pants!!!

Good job Freddy.

+1 on what hearingimpaired said.


Jimmy

Thank's i guess

For the record i completed these cable's with my pant's on! lol

hearingimpared

sTiLlLeArNiNg wrote: »

How this make's you come to the conclusion that i have posted "out of line" is beyond me If you like i can show you SEVERAL out of line post's directed at me during the course of my short stay here at CP :cool:

That won't be necessary as I am pretty much on top of most of what goes on in this club.

sTiLlLeArNiNg

hearingimpared wrote: »

That won't be necessary as I am pretty much on top of most of what goes on in this club.

Unfortunately i have to respectfully disagree with you on that :cool:

Don't crap my thread, there's no need for it

hearingimpared

sTiLlLeArNiNg wrote: »

Unfortunately i have to respectfully disagree with you on that :cool:

Don't crap my thread, there's no need for it

First of all YOU don't own the thread. Secondly I gave you a compliment and responded to your post. THAT IS NOT THREAD CRAPPING.

Pot, kettle, black . . . is all I have to say.

george daniel

What the hell is wrong with our polk brothers from north of the Mason-Dixon line? You guys seem easily irritated as of late. Unseasonably cold weather or something.FWIW,, Take Five audio appears to be a DIY cable makers dream.Enjoy the cables,and the power cord.:)

hearingimpared

george daniel wrote: »

What the hell is wrong with our polk brothers from north of the Mason-Dixon line? You guys seem easily irritated as of late. Unseasonably cold weather or something.

Aaahhhh go eat some grits and hog jauls!:p:D

TECHNOKID

sTiLlLeArNiNg wrote: »

Unfortunately i have to respectfully disagree with you on that :cool:

Don't crap my thread, there's no need for it

sTiLlLeArNiNg stay the course, you have 2 interesting threads on DIY cables don't ruin them over silly debate. Depending how you read hearingimpared's reply you either see an insult or a compliment. hearingimpared has been honest within his first part of his reply but he throws a good compliment on your work. If you are negative, you crap your own work discussion or else take the compliment and carry on the journey of DIY cable

Cheers!
TK

george daniel

hearingimpared wrote: »

Aaahhhh go eat some grits and hog jauls!:p:D

LOL,, well shut my mouth.;):)

Systems

sTiLlLeArNiNg wrote: »

be picked up locally at TakeFive audio.

As George said thay appear to be a cable makers dream and are reasonably local.In what part of TO are they situated?

Toolfan66

NICE WORK!!!!;) but get rid of the santa hat.

zingo

Here's another example of DIY 4S11 cables.

sTiLlLeArNiNg

First i'd like to say: BIG thank's to everyone for sharing their DIY cable's and giving me such positive feedback on my build's! THANK YOU

hearingimpared wrote: »

First of all YOU don't own the thread. Secondly I gave you a compliment and responded to your post. THAT IS NOT THREAD CRAPPING.

Pot, kettle, black . . . is all I have to say.

ROTFLMFAO Chill out buddy! I was only politely asking you not to crap the thread Hence the smiley I guess that is to difficult around here :rolleyes: Seeing as i started the thread i feel that it is more so mine than your's (as you would if the shoe was on your foot) and i would like it to remain civil and educational, that was my intent. NOT confrontational and ignorant.

If you solely wanted to compliment my post, which i appreciated, you would have left this out of your first post "I don't always agree with you and believe you are out-of-line with some of your posts" By you starting your post with this comment it come's across as if you are looking for some "action" and show's that in fact you were out of line. IMHO of course

I didn't make this thread to get into argument's with anyone. And that is ALL i have to say :cool:

george daniel wrote: »

What the hell is wrong with our polk brothers from north of the Mason-Dixon line? You guys seem easily irritated as of late. Unseasonably cold weather or something.FWIW,, Take Five audio appears to be a DIY cable makers dream.Enjoy the cables,and the power cord.:)

Nothing wrong with us persay, just seem's that some here are always on attack mode I aint one to get pushed around without saying something, sorry.

Actually george the weather of late has been magnificent! I don't drive because of my disability so i have actually enjoyed taking the bus the last few day's! lol I hope it stay's warm like this for another month or two They are a GREAT site and hopefully they'll help keep me buisy during the winter

GV#27 wrote: »

As George said thay appear to be a cable makers dream and are reasonably local.In what part of TO are they situated?

They don't offer pick-up, mail order only I think they are in Mt.Forest. Gene was the one who helped me with all my question's and Lyn completed my order, GREAT people to deal with

TOOLFORLIFEFAN wrote: »

NICE WORK!!!!;) but get rid of the santa hat.

HEY! I'm just trying to get into a festive mood lol

@ zingo: Nice cable's! How do you like the GLS banana's? Are they solder or crimp type?

CoolJazz

By the way...if somebody wants what appeared to be a deal on silver solder...

I was into Parts Express on Monday morning. On their close out isle, there were two of those big rolls of the 4% silver solder. That's enough to last a long while...

I don't need any as I have plenty, so I didn't pay real close attention, but it was marked as $80 some dollars marked down to $40 something. Maybe $44 neighborhood or so? I believe it was the WBT.

A disclaimer, I have no idea if they will sell from the close out isle except in the store, but I don't know why if you called they wouldn't mind shipping it...

CoolJazz

PS...fun coming playing with the Woofer Tester software!!

Systems

sTiLlLeArNiNg wrote: »

Actually george the weather of late has been magnificent!

Yes it has been unseasonably warm , I attribute that to my recently spending a G note on a snowblower.:(Had I not we would have had three blizzards by now.

They don't offer pick-up, mail order only I think they are in Mt.Forest. Gene was the one who helped me with all my question's and Lyn completed my order, GREAT people to deal with

OK thanks I guess thats why they don't state their addy on the website.

I now have three excellent examples to work from should I decide to build a pair.

heiney9

GV#27 wrote: »

They look good,nice and tidy.May I ask where you purchased the Canare from and price per ft.?

GV, I know you reside in Canada but this place always seems to have the lowest $$$/ft. for Canare.

http://www.performanceaudio.com/cgi/search.cgi?search_for=canare

FWIW

H9

TECHNOKID

GV#27 wrote: »

Yes it has been unseasonably warm , I attribute that to my recently spending a G note on a snowblower.:(Had I not we would have had three blizzards by now.

I spent good dollar on a snowblower last winter but if I don't get to use it much this year, I will not complain :cool: However, if the winter forecast is right, their guess is a mild winter with lots of snow, if so your investment will pay off and you might just complain about using the snowblower a little too much Mind you, Toronto is usually spared winter wise compared to Eastern Canada, you lucky beast

Cheers!
TK

Systems

heiney9 wrote: »

GV, I know you reside in Canada but this place always seems to have the lowest $$$/ft. for Canare.

http://www.performanceaudio.com/cgi/search.cgi?search_for=canare

Thanks,their pricing is very attractive.The LV61S makes a great digtal cable and their $.34/ft is the best price I have seen.

Systems

TECHNOKID wrote: »

I spent good dollar on a snowblower last winter but if I don't get to use it much this year, I will not complain :cool: However, if the winter forecast is right, their guess is a mild winter with lots of snow, if so your investment will pay off and you might just complain about using the snowblower a little too much
Cheers!
TK

Trust me I'm not complaining about not getting to use it,just that usually by this time I have had to do some hard core shoveling,but now that I have the blower it doesn't snow.Thats fine by me.:)

TECHNOKID

GV#27 wrote: »

Trust me I'm not complaining about not getting to use it,just that usually by this time I have had to do some hard core shoveling,but now that I have the blower it doesn't snow.Thats fine by me.:)

2 years ago, NOT a single snowblower was available in September/October, I was in physio and for some reason every time I was coming back from it I was (my back) put to the test with nasty/hard snowbanks :eek:. Last year, I bought my snowblower in August (better be safe than sorry), used it fairly but not to the extreme. Now, no matter what kind of winter we get, I know it (snowblower) can cover for my old back :cool: and even better, get more time to play with the gear ":cool:er"

Cheers!
TK

zingo

sTiLlLeArNiNg wrote: »

@ zingo: Nice cable's! How do you like the GLS banana's? Are they solder or crimp type?

The GLS plugs are pretty good stuff and I've never had a problem with them; the price is great too. They are screw type banana plugs and they hold very well.

sTiLlLeArNiNg

GV#27 wrote: »

Yes it has been unseasonably warm , I attribute that to my recently spending a G note on a snowblower.:(Had I not we would have had three blizzards by now.

OK thanks I guess thats why they don't state their addy on the website.

I now have three excellent examples to work from should I decide to build a pair.

lol I have the same kind of luck dude! It's OK though i don't mind it being nice and warm! It could stay like this all winter for all i care

I asked them if i could do pick-up as they aren't very far and i thought i could save a few buck's but honestly the shipping is ULTRA FAST and it only cost me ~ $8 total for everything and seriously i had my order not even 24hrs after i placed it! :eek: Order's placed before 2pm go out same day

CoolJazz wrote: »

By the way...if somebody wants what appeared to be a deal on silver solder...

I was into Parts Express on Monday morning. On their close out isle, there were two of those big rolls of the 4% silver solder. That's enough to last a long while...

PS...fun coming playing with the Woofer Tester software!!

Thank's! Good lookin' out Prolly only good for you US guy's but i like it when anyone of us can save some cash for beer I been hearing/seeing about this woofer tester you think you could give us a "review" while/after you're done playing with it?

heiney9 wrote: »

GV, I know you reside in Canada but this place always seems to have the lowest $$$/ft. for Canare.

http://www.performanceaudio.com/cgi/search.cgi?search_for=canare

FWIW

H9

FWIW by the time that Canare come's across the border you can throw that $1.19/ft WAY WAY out the window! The place i got mine at has it for $1.85/ft (100ft minimun though) plus it's local so it's an easy choice if you ask me

That site you linked does have some other good stuff, i just wish the border/duty/brokerage fee's weren't so INSANE!

For you US guy's Markertek also has the canare 4s11 for $1.19/ft, if it is not listed at that price they will price price match it

TECHNOKID wrote: »

I spent good dollar on a snowblower last winter but if I don't get to use it much this year, I will not complain :cool: However, if the winter forecast is right, their guess is a mild winter with lots of snow, if so your investment will pay off and you might just complain about using the snowblower a little too much Mind you, Toronto is usually spared winter wise compared to Eastern Canada, you lucky beast

Cheers!
TK

I hope you are wrong about the forecast TK!! Luckily i live in an apartment now so no shovelling for me:D Bad thing though is my grandparent's don't have anyone to shovel their driveway now And i need to ride the bus 'till at least February Sometime's we are not as lucky as you think! We have had some pretty good dump's in the last couple of year's :cool:

TECHNOKID wrote: »

2 years ago, NOT a single snowblower was available in September/October, I was in physio and for some reason every time I was coming back from it I was (my back) put to the test with nasty/hard snowbanks :eek:. Last year, I bought my snowblower in August (better be safe than sorry), used it fairly but not to the extreme. Now, no matter what kind of winter we get, I know it (snowblower) can cover for my old back :cool: and even better, get more time to play with the gear ":cool:er"

Cheers!
TK

I remember that TK! We felt it here as well, a few of my "friend's" made some good cash by "recycling" snowblower's lol

Hopefully your back is better, don't forget to keep the beer's cooler when you are playing inside with your gear this year

zingo wrote: »

The GLS plugs are pretty good stuff and I've never had a problem with them; the price is great too. They are screw type banana plugs and they hold very well.

Thank's for the positive comment's! I have been eyeballing them for future project's so it's good to know they are quality built! Now if i could just find a local supplier