crimping vs soldering


I have read in more than one place crimping connectors on speaker wire is better that solder. Any opinions on this from anyone?
michaelscott73
Follow Timo's advise an go to Cardas web page, there are lots of information in the FAQ. If you will solder, I recomend the WBT silver solder, it's melts at a low temp so
your cables insulation won't burn.
I don't have an educated opinion, however I read on Jon Risch's Web Site that soldering the spades on his DIY speaker cables can actually degrade the cable's performance.

Hmmmm...
To get a good solder conection ,you must have a good mechanical conection .so due both :)
Done properly, crimping wins hands down.

That means the correct tool for the crimp and a ratchet type crimp tool (in good condition), so the tool will not open untill enough pressure has been applied.
This produces an air-tight cold weld, which is better than a hot weld unless the hot weld is done under an inert gas blanket, to keep the oxygen away while the metal is hot.

Sorry guys, but solders, even eutectics, do oxidise over time. Thus solder can carry oxidation into a crimp more than would otherwise happen.
When researching crimping for a production line situation, the experts advised against soldering over a crimp.

If you want to seal a crimp (not bad if you want really long term protection) many of the elecrtonic parts warehouses sell products for that purpose. Otherwise nail varnish is a fairly OK substitute, and putting adhesive lined heatshrink over the top helps a lot also.

Just be aware that a poorly done crimp is about as good as a cold-soldered joint.
Lower resistant on crimping, higher on soldering.
More solid & safe connection with soldering and crimping wires might fall and cause a short, short can also damage your system. Cheap solder also degrades sound quality. Use silver 4% solder. If you know you can crimp strong enough, use chrimp, DONT TOUCH THE BARE WIRES WITH YOUR OILY MOISTY HANDS WHILE YOU TRY TO CRIMP THEM, use a pair of gloves! Also dont expouse the bare wire.