Can I splice a speaker wire without reducing the overall audio quality? This is a question most of us think about when trying to repair a car audio system. In truth, if you splice the speaker wire properly, there won’t be any quality issues. The key is to perform this procedure correctly. That is why today I’m going to give you some tips on how to splice a speaker wire.
In general, to splice two speaker wires, follow the wire nut method.
- First, strip half an inch from both wires.
- Then, twist the exposed wire conductors together.
- Insert the twisted wire into the wire nut.
- Tighten the connection by twisting the wire nut.
- Finally, wrap the spliced wires using electrical tape.
That’s it. Now you know how to splice two speaker wires.
Splice Wires and Extend Speaker Connections with Electrical Crimps
In this post, I’m hoping to discuss two different methods by which you can splice a speaker wire.
You must be familiar with the wire nut method. It is the easiest method to splice a speaker wire. We talked about that method at the start.
In the other method, we use electrical crimps. If you are unfamiliar with these types of crimp connectors, here are some valuable insights.
- These crimp connectors produce an air-tight seal between the wire and the connector.
- They are highly reliable and have a long life span.
- These connectors can withstand any environmental conditions such as sand, moisture, dirt, and dust.
Electrical crimps are an excellent choice over ordinary wire nuts.
6-Step Guide on How to Splice Speaker Wires
In this section, you can learn how to splice a speaker wire using electrical crimps.
Things Needed
- Electrical crimp connector
- Wire stripper
- Heat source (lighter or blow dryer)
- Measuring tape
Step 1 – Properly Arrange the Speaker Wires and the Equipment
Whether you are splicing speaker wires for a home speaker system or your car stereo system, properly arranging the speaker wires and the equipment is a must. So, disconnect all power cords from their main source. Unplug other speaker wires too. Remember, this is a must-follow step for safety.
Also, label the speaker wires that do not need any splicing. It will save lots of time for you. Apart from that, check all the wire gauges. Usually, in your speaker system, you’ll find 12 to 18-gauge wires. So, check and confirm.
Step 2 – Measure Distance and Cut
Sometimes, you might be dealing with a damaged speaker wire, or your sound system might need a few more inches. Either way, splicing speaker wires will solve the above issues. But, to be successful, you’ll need the correct length. So, take some measuring tape and measure the required length. Remember to note it down. Then, cut off the damaged wire parts.
Keep in mind: When measuring, remember to add an extra inch or two to the wire length. For instance, if you get a length of 20 inches. Note it down as 21 inches. Adding an extra inch will give you some space for errors.
Step 3 – Strip the Wires
Now take the two wires that you plan to splice and place them close to each other.
Usually, a speaker system has two wires; positive and negative. The red wire is the positive end, and the black wire is the negative. Most often, both of these wires are bonded together. You can separate them easily by pulling the wires in opposite directions. So, before stripping the wires separate them carefully.
Tip: Above given colors might vary according to the type of the speaker wire. For instance, sometimes both wires might be white.
Then, strip the positive wire and keep the stripping length between 0.75-1.5 inches. Do the same for the black wire. Now one end of the speaker wire is ready.
Take the other end and strip the positive and negative wires on that end too. Use a suitable wire stripper for the above process.
If you follow the above instructions correctly, you should have four stripped wires on your hands.
Step 4 – Connect the Crimp Connectors
To connect the above four wires, you’ll need two crimp connectors. Depending on the gauge of the wire, the size of the crimp connector might vary. So, choose your crimp connectors accordingly.
Then, take the two positive wires from both ends of the wires. Insert the exposed wire conductors into the crimp connector.
Inside the crimp connector, you can locate a metal tube.
You should insert the wire conductor into the metal tube.
Also, don’t leave any part of the wire conductor outside.
After inserting both wires into the metal tube, use the crimping tool to squeeze the metal tube. Do the same for the negative wire.
Step 5 – Apply Heat to Shrink Technique
After the 4th step, most people think the splicing is over. But, to properly seal the crimp connector, you must apply the heat shrink technique. This technique is an excellent way to protect your wires and it creates a waterproof layer.
Get the lighter or the blow dryer and apply the heat to the crimp connector. While heating, remember to hold the wire a few inches below the connector. Otherwise, the heat might burn your skin. Rotate the wire and the connector while applying the heat. After a few minutes, you’ll see the connector shrink and make a far stronger connection with the wire. Do the same for other wires. (1)
Step 6 – Reconnect the Speaker Wires
Finally, reconnect all the wires to the speaker. If you follow the above steps correctly, there won’t be any audio quality issues. (2)
Wrapping Up
From the above two methods, using an electrical crimp is the best option to splice a speaker wire. It gives the splice wire far more protection than the wire nut method. But, if you are looking for a quick turnaround, using a wire nut is the most suitable option.
Take a look at some of our related articles below.
- How to wire speakers with 4 terminals
- Is white wire positive or negative
- What gauge speaker wire for subwoofer
References
(1) burn your skin – https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/
12063-burns
(2) audio quality – https://www.adobe.com/creativecloud/video/
discover/audio-bitrate.html
Video References
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