can i change speaker cables to interconnects?

[bebop86]

Guys - I have a pair of 26Foot FIM silver speaker cables lying around- can I cut them and re terminate them to use as interconnects or are they different wires ??
also do they have to be the same length- If I move around my system for 2 d=channel I only need one run of 5 meters and one of 2 meters or should they be the same length- thanks

 

[Wayne A. Pflughaupt]

No, you can’t readily use speaker cable for interconnects.

For one, the pictures I’m finding of the FIM Silver cables, it looks like 14- or 12-gauge wire. Interconnect wiring is typically something like 22-24 gauge wire, which is much thinner.

The issue is that RCA connectors are designed for small-gauge wire. 14- or 12-guage cable will not fit through the hole of the RCA’s barrel cover. And even if it did, the connector’s solder pad is too small to accept a huge wire. And even if it would, by the time you get from the soldering iron the amount of heat needed for a large-gauge wire, the plastic or nylon sleeve inside the RCA (i.e. that holds the center pin in place) will melt, and the connector is then ruined.

The next problem is that the speaker cable is not shielded. Line-level signals are very low compared to speaker-level signals, and as such are ripe for outside interference (read noise). Signal-level cables are shielded to prevent this. Here’s a picture of a line-level cable dissected to give you an idea.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

 

[mep]

No, you can’t readily use speaker cable for interconnects.

For one, the pictures I’m finding of the FIM Silver cables, it looks like 14- or 12-gauge wire. Interconnect wiring is typically something like 22-24 gauge wire, which is much thinner.

The issue is that RCA connectors are designed for small-gauge wire. 14- or 12-guage cable will not fit through the hole of the RCA’s barrel cover. And even if it did, the connector’s solder pad is too small to accept a huge wire. And even if it would, by the time you get from the soldering iron the amount of heat needed for a large-gauge wire, the plastic or nylon sleeve inside the RCA (i.e. that holds the center pin in place) will melt, and the connector is then ruined.

The next problem is that the speaker cable is not shielded. Line-level signals are very low compared to speaker-level signals, and as such are ripe for outside interference (read noise). Signal-level cables are shielded to prevent this. Here’s a picture of a line-level cable dissected to give you an idea.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

Most are. Lots of Kimber Cable ICs have zero shielding.

 

[Speedskater]

They might work as balanced interconnects (in a well balanced system). Depends on how much noise and interference there is in your room.

 

[Wayne A. Pflughaupt]

Can you recommend some XLR or TRS connectors that will work with 14- or 12-gauge wire?

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

 

[mep]

Can you recommend some XLR or TRS connectors that will work with 14- or 12-gauge wire?

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

I personally don't know of any. More likely with a TRS connector because of the larger surface area to solder to. It would be a disaster waiting to happen with an XLR connector. The tip temperature to heat a 12-14 gauge wire in order to allow the solder to flow properly would ruin the XLR connector-or at least I think so.

 

[Speedskater]

Neutrik XLR connectors are rated for 16 Amps and 14AWG wire.