I don't like using bare wire because copper oxidizes immediately upon exposure to air, and continues to oxidize further as time goes on. The same is true of silver, and of all solders. Best to crimp to gold-plated spades which gives a true high-pressure metal-to-metal interface. (If using a proper dedicated crimping tool, that is. A pair of pliers from your toolbox isn't worth squat.) Gold is not as good a conductor as copper but is vastly more corrosion-resistant, so in the real world it is a lot better. I don't believe that solder is necessary if the crimp is done properly-- it's like wearing both a belt and suspenders:). I have disassembled good crimped connectors that were many years old and the copper in the crimped area is as bright as the day it was made, while everything else is dark brown. But on the other hand, soldering after the crimp is done probably doesn't hurt anything either, and if it lets you sleep better at night, then do it.
Question for users of bare wire ends speaker cable
There have been discussions on the use of bare wire ends as being the best way to get a good quality speaker cable connection. The only downside is the need to re-do the connection often because of the corrosion of the copper. As a part way measure can the ends be soldered or something else, to cut down or stop the corrosion without adversely affecting the signal??
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- 34 posts total
- 34 posts total