DIY speaker cable termination

Hajime Sato · « **on:** 14 Mar 2005, 02:34 am »

I want to terminate 10AWG speaker cables with spade lugs in a double-run, biwire configuration, and I have two questions:

1. At the amp-end where I have to bundle two 10AWG wires, what size spade lugs do I need? My understanding is 7AWG but I may be wrong.

2. Can you advise me on what crimping tool (and where) I should get for this purpose?

Thanks in advance.

Russtafarian · « **Reply #1 on:** 14 Mar 2005, 04:22 am »

El Cheapo option. Get Radio Shack 12 gauge spades. They're like $6 for a pack of 8 including black and red insulation collars. Pry open the cable slot enough to get all the cable in and crimp back down with a pair of pliers. If a crimp won't hold, solder with with a high wattage soldering gun.

I'm sure others will be more than happy to suggest a more expensive approach.

Hajime Sato · « **Reply #2 on:** 14 Mar 2005, 05:01 am »

Thanks, Russ!

That sure is a creative solution I wouldn't have thought of myself, and I don't even need a special tool unless soldering is required. I'm thinking of trying that first, but suggestions for more "expensive" solutions are still welcome.

Ulas · « **Reply #3 on:** 14 Mar 2005, 03:03 pm »

You could terminate the cables individually. Most binding posts can accommodate two spades or more if they are not too thick. That makes it easy to experiment, swap, and reuse the cables in different ways.

Hajime Sato · « **Reply #4 on:** 14 Mar 2005, 09:10 pm »

Quote from: Ulas

You could terminate the cables individually. Most binding posts can accommodate two spades or more if they are not too thick.

Thanks Ulas. The binding posts on my amp don't open up that wide, but I'll check it out.

SET Man · « **Reply #5 on:** 14 Mar 2005, 10:00 pm »

Quote from: Russtafarian

I'm sure others will be more than happy to suggest a more expensive approach.

Thanks Russ... So, may I suggest a more expexsive alternative?

Check out the Audio Quest Permium 1/4 or 1/4+5/16 Gold or Silver spade. They accept cable up to 8ga, might fit your double 10gas... 7ga tatol sound about right.

I'm currently using sliver one with Kimber 4TC 13ga. And they sound clean and transparent. Much better than the old crappy Monter banana pulg with fins that could move around the center pin

Anyway, they cost $4 each at Musicdirect. If you buy them, file the inside until you get to the base copper than crimp them hard and than solder them to seal the connection.

They cost somewhat more but they should perform better and last longer.

Goodluck,
Buddy

Hajime Sato · « **Reply #6 on:** 16 Mar 2005, 10:49 am »

Thanks all.

I tried the cheapest option first,

and bought a pack of Radioshack spade lugs and a crimper from Home Depot (total cost about $20). The Radioshack lugs are thin enough so that I can safely stack two of them under my amp's binding posts.

As a first step, I did the right channel cable and it was a success! For the first time I could really tighten up the binding posts and it looks very secure now.

However, when I compared the L/R channels with mono recordings, I found the right channel (with lugs) sound a little dull and veiled compared to the left channel (bare wire)

. The pink noise SPL meter test did not reveal any meaningful difference in SPL.

I'm going to leave it like this for a couple of days and see if things will change (settle down?). But if not, I'll have to think about what to do next: Go back to bare wire (which sounds good but is unstable and possibly dangerous), accept the Radioshack lugs or try different lugs/methods.

SET Man · « **Reply #7 on:** 16 Mar 2005, 09:58 pm »

Hi Hajime,

I would agreed with you that the RS spade sound dull because I'm using them also. But in my second system, a small 2ch/TV sound system and not in my main system of cause.

The sound show the quality of the RS spade. The metal based, brass likely and plating of which is not as good as Audio Quest direct plating over higher quality copper.

Ture that bare copper is best but after sometime it will corrode and sound worst and hard to connect them. So, if you are planing to change to better spade. I still highly recomend better spade from Audio Quest or Cardas.

Good luck,
Buddy

ss397 · « **Reply #8 on:** 16 Mar 2005, 11:31 pm »

if you go to the vampire wire website, they sell spades and banana plugs in all sizes and quality levels.

ss397 · « **Reply #9 on:** 16 Mar 2005, 11:32 pm »

http://vampirewire.com/mcart/index.cgi?code=3&cat=7

Hajime Sato · « **Reply #10 on:** 17 Mar 2005, 04:08 am »

Thanks, SET man (or should I call you Buddy?)
I still have to think about it, but it seems worth it to try better connectors. If I understand correctly, the Audioquest lugs you recommended can only accomodate up to 8AWG, so I'd like to make sure I can bundle two 10AWG cables into them. (In this case, I think I should shoot for a single connector for cost and sound quality considerations.)

ss397, thank you for the information on Vampire Wire. That's the kind of shop I was looking for! I wonder how their high-quality lugs compare to the Audioquest?

Thanks again for all the help, guys!

Al Garay · « **Reply #11 on:** 18 Mar 2005, 11:13 am »

VampireWire connectors and cables are top notch. Comparing spades, you will notice that several of the inexpensive Vampire models are pure copper, not brass.

The support from Vampire is also very good. I have been very happy with their ICs and speaker cables.

Al

Hajime Sato · « **Reply #12 on:** 18 Mar 2005, 07:35 pm »

Thanks, Al!

I'm still undecided but if I decide to try better lugs, I'll definately call Vampire.