DIY Speaker Cables...

[ZLTFUL]

Or how it won't make a difference. /sarcasm

Anyway, I was bored today since as a government contractor, we get like every other Monday off for some holiday or other.
Went over to the local shop I like so much and chatted music, pre-amps, gear repair and of course speakers (They carry ProAc, JBL, JL Audio, B&W, NHT, Pioneer EX, Magico, Peachtree Audio and TAD...plus they have PSB and Era on consignment atm).
Before I left, I grabbed a few Nordost Shiva power cables...knowing they won't make any difference of course...and 35 feet of AudioQuest Flex series 14/2.
Came home, changed into some lounge pants and a t-shirt, gathered up a bunch of stuff and the end result can be seen below...

(2) 1.5m speaker cables for my Monitor 70s up front
(2) 1 ft jumpers for the Monitor 70s
(2) 10 ft speaker cables for my 15TLs

I also experimented a bit. The jumpers are covered with 550 paracord. I like the finish but it is a bitch to work with at anything larger than 14g wire.
I am in the process of finding larger diameter paracord as I would like to use it in place of the techflex I used on the longer cables.
I also got too small of diameter techflex but I will remedy that with my next order.

I already have some friends wanting me to make up cables that match their decor. Ugh...lol. Didn't want to do this beyond myself but it is sort of fun and relaxing at the same time.

I definitely prefer the bananas on the shorter cables over the ones on the longer ones. The knurled gold covers look better imho. But they are also $8/pr vs $22 for 15 pairs of the others.

Anyway, here they are. Feel free to be critical...I know they don't make a difference anyway. LOL

[drumminman]

I've never seen anyone who uses jumpers connect the speaker wire to the top posts (tweeters) on bi-wireable speakers. Wonder if it makes a difference in sound quality c/w connecting to the bottom posts and jumpering to the top.

[EndersShadow]

I've never seen anyone who uses jumpers connect the speaker wire to the top posts (tweeters) on bi-wireable speakers. Wonder if it makes a difference in sound quality c/w connecting to the bottom posts and jumpering to the top.

I always did that. I used my MIT's, Audioquests to the top and jumper-ed to the lows. I figured you wanted your best connection to the highs and the lows didnt matter as much...

[michael1947]

Yes, I have seen them, and use them and they are recommended by many.

[ZLTFUL]

Yup. Not to mention, it was way easier to keep them in place while tightening them. The stamped plates wanted to squeeze out when I tightened them hehe.

[seabeerob213]

i couldnt get paracord over wire

[ZLTFUL]

550 will fit over a single 14g. 750 will fit over 12g. I wanted to cut myself after trying to get 12g through 550. lol
I am going to make a set of "bi-wire" 12g when my next chunk of 750 gets here.

Basically have my wall plug end combine into 2 bananas while the speaker end splits out to 4.

[ken brydson]

Nice work!

[pepster]

I for one think those speaker cables look excellent, you did a fantastic job on those!
I use the paracord nylon covering on a digital cable I make, but it is pretty small.
I like it, but not a big fan either, if that makes a damn bit of sense!

I like the Techflex from an "ease of use" standpoint.
I like the expansion alot better than the nylon stuff (none), but like the nylon because it is much softer, and as a result, less "micro vibrations".
Everything makes a difference in cable designs.
Why compromise if you are going to commit to the misery of building them in the first place?

If you can use the gutted paracord, that is what I would use.

[ZLTFUL]

Thanks guys.

I actually find it pretty relaxing. My wife can watch a chick flick, I can make speaker cables and since we are in the same room, it even feels like we are doing something together!

[pepster]

Thanks guys.

I actually find it pretty relaxing. My wife can watch a chick flick, I can make speaker cables and since we are in the same room, it even feels like we are doing something together!

You should try making some IC's.
I think you might get a "Bigger Bang For Buck" out of that than speaker cables.
Just saying.

[ZLTFUL]

ICs and PCs are next. I picked up some premade PCs this past weekend but I still want to make a couple for other gear.

[ZLTFUL]

Made a new set of cables for my RTAs. I sent the white set to a buddy in NJ who says, "Speaker wires don't make any difference."
He has a set of Paradigm Monitors connected to a vintage Yamaha integrated amp. He *was* using 18g Walmart RCA speaker wire.
I think he will be pleasantly surprised since he really does *listen* to his music.

I just ordered up some stuff to make a few sets of ICs and am still waiting on my rhodium plated PC ends.

I still want to make the bi-wire set with the white paracord for the speakers downstairs. Just seems like I have too many projects running at once.

[scoyne88]

Look Good!
Heres a pic of mine:

[ZLTFUL]

Nice. I like em. Only thing I would do any different is a chunk of shrink tube over where the cable pants and the techflex meet up. It keeps that whole spot nicely welded together. Other than that, I really dig the solid black look.