Extending Speaker Wire?

[igotcabada]

I pulled a pretty bonehead move and didn't leave enough slack for my surround speakers to get to the new placement of my receiver... I really don't want to remove the crown molding and rewire the speakers, so is there anyway to extend the wires without losing any sound quality? Can I simply splice two wires together and protect it with some electrical tape? I've read places that this is ok and I've also read that this is a bad idea..

[sptrout]

Sometimes you have to do what you have to do, in others words splicing is OK IMO and I have had to do it also. Instead of electrical tape though, I would go to Radio Shack and buy some shrink tubing that will provide a better, and more permanent, seal of the splice. Also, make sure that when using soldering iron to make the physical connection that you use one that is of high enough wattage to make the cable ends hot enough to properly melt the solder.

[un4gvn94538]

Originally Posted by igotcabada

I pulled a pretty bonehead move and didn't leave enough slack for my surround speakers to get to the new placement of my receiver... I really don't want to remove the crown molding and rewire the speakers, so is there anyway to extend the wires without losing any sound quality? Can I simply splice two wires together and protect it with some electrical tape? I've read places that this is ok and I've also read that this is a bad idea..

its both. im currently doing it for a short term solution till i buy more wire to replace it. just like the inputs on the back of a receiver can get dirty and corrode, so can the point where the splice is, even if tape covers it.

[MrFattBill]

Originally Posted by igotcabada

I pulled a pretty bonehead move and didn't leave enough slack for my surround speakers to get to the new placement of my receiver... I really don't want to remove the crown molding and rewire the speakers, so is there anyway to extend the wires without losing any sound quality? Can I simply splice two wires together and protect it with some electrical tape? I've read places that this is ok and I've also read that this is a bad idea..

I did the same exact thing yesterday afternoon. I measured 3 times, walked into the basement to make the cuts and still screwed up like a dummy I am going to stop and get some spade connectors tonight to extend the wires the last 5 feet I need.

My rears have been running with connectors in the middle of the runs for the last 3 years, I was just going from a 16awg wire to a 12awg wire since I added the XPA-5 to the mix.

Bill

[igotcabada]

alright thanks guys, i'll give the splicing a try

[JamesN]

Originally Posted by igotcabada

... I really don't want to remove the crown molding and rewire the speakers...

Do you really have to remove the moulding to run new wires? I recently rewired my entire home theater using the old wiring to pull through the new. Just a thought.

Also, if you're going with a temporary patch, you might try wire nuts (the kind you would use for electrical connections).

[igotcabada]

Originally Posted by JamesN

Do you really have to remove the moulding to run new wires? I recently rewired my entire home theater using the old wiring to pull through the new. Just a thought.

Also, if you're going with a temporary patch, you might try wire nuts (the kind you would use for electrical connections).

Well I tried running a wire snake and it kept getting caught on the 90 bend, I didn't consider pulling new wire through with the old though. I might give that a shot down the road.

[iGlide]

my new best friend. look for one of these and then when your done charge your friends to use it because believe me they will want to use it!!! google MAGNEPULL MAGNETIC CABLE PULLER FISHING SYSTEM. I use it every install i and it cuts the time in half. but caution do not use it if you have a pace maker!!! LOL

[MrFattBill]

Originally Posted by blkicevic

my new best friend. look for one of these and then when your done charge your friends to use it because believe me they will want to use it!!! google MAGNEPULL MAGNETIC CABLE PULLER FISHING SYSTEM. I use it every install i and it cuts the time in half. but caution do not use it if you have a pace maker!!! LOL

That is f'in brillant! I will be picking one up.

Bill