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Speaker Cable Termination

Because I have owned Mag 3.6 for awhile I have opted to use bare wire at the speaker/amp terminals. Non-scientifically, it seemed to me that there was no need to introduce something into the signal path that was not necessary. I have used bare wire with Kimber 4TC for over 10 years. As I am looking to upgrade my speaker cable, it seems I now have to consider termination. I say all this to pose the question of termination vs non termination on speaker cable. Thoughts?
xagwell
thorman
1,262 posts
 
To me bare wire is really the best.Even if you order the cables a foot longer than you need and clip off 1/2" every year , you would grow old before the cables were unusable.
etran
67 posts
 
"applying a silver solder to the ends of the bare wires makes no sense since it decreases the contact conductivity"
You got to be joking, how much decreases in % ? Is there fact ? The solder acts like bonding agent to close all the air gaps of the strands to one solid wire for better conductivity. Look at all the circuits in all electronics what do the use to connect all the wires to?
velo62
255 posts
 
I would think bare wire is the way to go, contact cleaner should work for oxidization but just buy and extra few inches on both sides and clip an inch off every 2 years.
xagwell OP
135 posts
 
As always thanks for your feedback. I have periodically clipped the ends of the cable or I have re-twisted the ends with needle nose pliers. Both methods result in a fresh connection.
marakanetz's avatar
marakanetz
5,473 posts
 
Etran,
I've built up and serviced tons of the circuits you're talking about.
When I connect conductors and circuit elements I ensure the contact of the conductors but not through the solder bubble no matter how nice it looks.
The solder must secure joined conductors but not to act as such so the silver content is only a burden(significantly increases melting temperature) for the technician who does the circuit work and so the quality of a solder joint.
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