2. cables
  3. 1144965234

DIY speaker cable made from cat 5 type cable

I am looking to make my own speaker cables according to Jon Risch's notes that I found at: www.geocities.com/jonrisch/s2.htm?200611.
I am having difficuilty finding a source of cable other than having to buy a 1000 ft spool or buy premade computer cables with the wrong type insulation. i would also prefer more that 4 twisted pairs per cable. Anyone have a solution or left over cable they would want to sell?
Thanks
cford
cford OP
66 posts
 
I have also checked and the Belden 1585A from Radio Shack (their # 910-1603) is no longer avaliable and the replacement cat 5 cable doesn't use FEP insulation.

Jea48, do you have enough to make cables as described in my previous comments?
Thanks
jea48
4,788 posts
 
I have some of the Plenum rated cat5e, Belden 4 pair you can have. Send me an email with your address and how many feet you want.
Jim
cford OP
66 posts
 
I finally got them made and my system up and running. They seem to have make the sound as if a slight veil has been lifted off of the sound.
eterc
1 posts
 
For future reference:

http://www.mcmaster.com/

Part number: 7365K17

Category 5E Cable Standard, Gray Jacket

Quantity Per Ft.
1-99 Ft. $0.24
100 or more 0.19
cford OP
66 posts
 
Eterc, that cable is not the good FEP insulation type which is the type that is called for in all the DIY literature. Right below it on the catalog page are 7365K23 and 28 which are both FEP Plenum rated type which might be ok. I found some cat 5 cable at Home Depot that I thought was ok but only 3 of the 4 pairs were the FEP type insulation with the other being PVC type.
More to discover