Speaker Cable

laika

laika

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Stupid and hopefully simple question: speaker cable. My cockpit speakers came with 2x5m lengths of (apprently tinned) speaker cable, one of which is not long enough to reach the speaker. Is there anything special about speaker cable (ie strands twisted in a magical way)? I was just going to chuck in some 1.5mm 2 core but as with anything, got a niggling doubt as I was about to do it. PiTA routing (above ceiling boards and through headlining) means I'd rather do the job once only.
 
antaris said:
only if you're a hi-fi/hi-end aficionado... for us common folk out there any old tinned cable will do.
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Much as I like quality sound, In tihs case I'm connecting up average quality cockpit speakers and only ever use them either offshore or in a working environment where someone else has already broken the tranquility with power tools and/or a site radio with an iritating easy listening pop station, so no need for audiophile quality. I was wondering if the advice would be "make sure you use special tinfoil clad speaker wire" but if striaght 1.5mm 2 core tinned is fine, I'm good with that. In any case, despite being a good length, I can't find these in Force 4:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/AudioQuest-Signature-Terminated-Speaker-Cable/dp/B00DBY5WK0/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1378131737&sr=1-1
 
davidpbo said:
For really high end audio people pay exorbitant amounts for speaker cable however for your application 1.5mm will be perfectly adequate, ideally tinned. I would be surprised if the cables coming off the speakers are 1.5mm csa.
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True: The cables which came with the speakers were tiddlers. As it's a longer run (closer to 10m than 5) I thought I'd beef it up. Doubtless 1mm would be fine
 
prv said:
I'd prefer it tinned, especially for cockpit speakers if the backs are inside lockers or other potentially-damp areas.
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It's all inside, but might conceivably be in contact with condensation. If I was being honest, the cost of tinned isn't worth it : It's mostly dry and (most importantly) no-one will die if it fails. Arguably however, there are times when four-on-the-floor quality french house music at the helm can be considered mission critical. Quietly spending more than I am supposed to be able to afford for tinned is probably on the cards.
 
You should strip out all the headlining and old tinnied wiring, and replace it with custom made lengths of Doctor Dredd Funkmaster MkIIIa gold plated wiring, and get the matching gold plated connectors tig welded on the ends.

Of course you'll need a decent set of speakers, start with your Dr Dredd Beatmaster woofers, Tweetmaster tweeters and at least a dozen assorted midranges for each side. Four Amplifiers, a Crossover and battery bank will complete the picture.

Should be easily done under twenty grand.

Plus VAT.

Plus fitting....:cool:
 
Thanks all. 2 core tinned it is. Much as I'm a fan of contralube 770 after that shore power cable affair, backs of speakers are dry and visible enough that I'll just go with spade connectors (per the supplied cable) and heatshrink.
 
No Regrets said:
Of course you'll need a decent set of speakers, start with your Dr Dredd Beatmaster woofers, Tweetmaster tweeters and at least a dozen assorted midranges for each side. Four Amplifiers, a Crossover and battery bank will complete the picture.

Should be easily done under twenty grand.
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On the plus side, though, you should be able to drive the boat sideways (like a bowthruster, for berthing) by adjusting the Balance control on the stereo :D

Pete
 
8m of 2 core tinned 1.5mm, ceiling boards removed, hole drilled, wire run and pushed through headlining, ends crimped and heatshrunk, ceiling replaced, now watching the last reflections of the evening's rays disappear over my new forum burgee on the pullpit (mast is down) while enjoying some of the early works of Air with a G+T. Much as I loathe and despise the user interface of my Fusion stereo, their speakers which I was forced to briefly "test" earlier aren't at all bad for the money. Well, not when hooked up with 1.5mm tinned 2 core. Thanks all.
 
I agree on early Air, plus some tanqueray+T. Enjoy.

On my previous boat I installed those JBL speakers and was pleasantly surprised, I guess Fusion are good too, then. UIs tend to be horrific on modern car/boat stereos.
 
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