DIY Cables

[StevenSurprenant]

After moving my speakers around, I used several different speaker cables and wires to wire the speakers and crossovers. I had some some solid core 20 gauge all silver teflon coated laying around so I decided to make some new wires.

They are in the Kimber Kable T4C configuration (more or less). I used 4 wires for the positive and 4 for the negative. Using my drill, I twisted each group of 4 wires into 2 single strands. Then I twisted these 2 stands together to make my speaker cable. This resulted in a cable at about 14 gauge. I made two sets, one for the tweeter and one for the woofers (shotgun configuration).

The result is improved clarity and more defined images. The highs, such as produced by cymbals, are clearer, sharper, and more natural sounding.

I realize that cables are system dependant, but these work very well in my system at a fraction of the cost of Kimber Kable.

For those that don't like silver, the same thing can be done with copper or silver coated copper.

I'm not sure it matters, but I used solid core 20 gauge wire with teflon coating. Some people believe this is important.

These easily bested my $300 8ft (thicker) name brand cables.

The last thing is that if 14 gauge is not enough, just add more strands. You can buy 20 gauge silver coated copper for $20/100 foot which is enough for a 10 foot pair of cables.

[harley .guy07]

I have often thought of doing something like that some time but I just never found the time to try it. It would seem that if you have the know how you could build something similar to the high dollar cables yourself and save a lot of money. About the only thing I would not be able to do is to perform the tests like the cable companies do since I do not have the equipment.

[StevenSurprenant]

I have often thought of doing something like that some time but I just never found the time to try it. It would seem that if you have the know how you could build something similar to the high dollar cables yourself and save a lot of money. About the only thing I would not be able to do is to perform the tests like the cable companies do since I do not have the equipment.

This only took me about an hour or so to make. I used two spools of 50 foot wire. I stretched each spool out on the floor and folded it twice and then cut where the wires were folded. This gave me 4 strands of 12 foot wire. I then taped one end to a door knob and the other I stuck into my drill. I stretched the wire out so that it was straight and had some tension on it and spun the drill until the twists were tight. I repeated this for the other spool. I marked one group of strands to know which one to use for negative and positive. I placed these two groups of strands together and repeated the door knob/drill thing again. I stripped the ends to bare wire and I was done.

If you like these wires you can terminate them as you wish. I think they look great without sheathing, but that is a personal choice.

22 gauge is also a nice wire to use because it is more flexible and makes great interconnects. I have done that using 2 wires for each interconnect, but I sheathed them. They look like very expensive store bought interconnects. Keep in mind that 22 gauge wire can easily break if bent too sharply. I have expensive silver interconnects and I can't tell the difference between them and my DIY's in terms of sound.

Anyway, if you think you might want to try this someday, you can order the wire from apexjr at a good price. You can get this in 6 or 7 colors, depending on gauge. You will have to order the wire over the phone because his web site is not interactive. Apexjr Wire (http://www.apexjr.com/wire.html)

Solid Core PTFE wire

26 Awg $0.11ft $10.00/100ft white
24 Awg $0.13ft $12.00/100ft white
22 Awg $0.17ft $16.00/100ft black, red, brown, yellow, violet, orange, and white
20 Awg $0.22ft $20.00/100ft blue, black, orange,white, violet,green, yellow, red
18Awg $0.35ft $32.50/100 black, white, red, green
16 Awg $0.50ft $50.00/100ft white

I looked on other sites and the wire can be expensive, especially audio sites. I suggest that you order some wire and have it laying around so that when you get the time and the urge, you can get right to it.

You will need a wire stripper for whatever gauge you get. It's very hard to strip 22 gauge without one.

You might want to try only one strand (at lower power) to get an idea of what solid core sounds like (especially on the tweeter). There are people who make a living selling this stuff one strand at a time, terminated and sheathed to make it look good.

Have fun!

BTW, if you find this fun, you can buy some foil inductors and make speaker wire out of that.