Speaker wire

General discussion area for tube amps.

Moderators: pompeiisneaks, Colossal

Post Reply
User avatar
tribi9
Posts: 571
Joined: Tue Nov 11, 2008 11:01 pm
Location: KW in ON, Canada.

Speaker wire

Post by tribi9 »

Is it ok to use those RCA audio/video cables that come with eletronic equipment as speaker cable? I have some that are fairly thick, I'm thinking they would be fine, wouldn't they?
User avatar
M Fowler
Posts: 14036
Joined: Wed Jan 16, 2008 2:19 am
Location: Walcott ND

Re: Speaker wire

Post by M Fowler »

No do not use audio cable for speaker cable or speaker cable for audio cable. The audio cable is shielded wire not two individual covered wires like used for a two wire speaker cable going from amp head to speaker cabinet.

There are uses for speakon plugs that use more than one pair of wire but that is being deferred to your late night PA instructables segment.
Bear
Posts: 333
Joined: Tue Mar 29, 2005 4:38 am

Re: Speaker wire

Post by Bear »

In a pinch for speaker cable, you're better off getting a decent gauge of lamp cord your local hardware store than using instrument cable. Solder onto some 1/4" plugs and you're good to go.
User avatar
Structo
Posts: 15446
Joined: Wed Oct 17, 2007 1:01 am
Location: Oregon

Re: Speaker wire

Post by Structo »

Yeah, that is a no no.

Usually the center conductor is very small gauge so it's power handling capability is low.

You should not use anything smaller than 16ga for speakers.
The bigger the better.
You can spend big bucks on speaker cables just like you can for guitar cables.

I decided to go low priced high quality from Lavacables after I had been impressed with their guitar cables.

Canare 4S8 cable, 4 x 16 AWG wired in two pairs.
When combined the wire gauge is 13ga.

$20 for a 6ft cable.

http://www.lavacable.com/speaker_canare.html
Tom

Don't let that smoke out!
User avatar
tribi9
Posts: 571
Joined: Tue Nov 11, 2008 11:01 pm
Location: KW in ON, Canada.

Re: Speaker wire

Post by tribi9 »

I need some wire with an RCA jack, so I'll just make my own with 16 ga.

Thanks guys
User avatar
Structo
Posts: 15446
Joined: Wed Oct 17, 2007 1:01 am
Location: Oregon

Re: Speaker wire

Post by Structo »

What speaker are you connecting with RCA plugs?
Tom

Don't let that smoke out!
User avatar
tribi9
Posts: 571
Joined: Tue Nov 11, 2008 11:01 pm
Location: KW in ON, Canada.

Re: Speaker wire

Post by tribi9 »

It's for a friend's silverface Vibrochamp.
User avatar
M Fowler
Posts: 14036
Joined: Wed Jan 16, 2008 2:19 am
Location: Walcott ND

Re: Speaker wire

Post by M Fowler »

You could convert to 1/4 jack

When I built my 59 Bassman I put in the four RCA jacks then right in the middle of those went my 1/4 jack for the speakers.

I know I could have went without the four RCA jacks but I was originally going to go original style but when it came time to making my speaker cords I decided I did not want to depend on those small RCA jack to run my four speakers
User avatar
tribi9
Posts: 571
Joined: Tue Nov 11, 2008 11:01 pm
Location: KW in ON, Canada.

Re: Speaker wire

Post by tribi9 »

I just got an RCA to 1/4 inch adaptor in case he wants to use the cab with another amp. Also got the 16 ga wire. Everything working fine. :)
Post Reply