Klipsch ProMedia Speaker Wire Extension Question

[Paul]

Does any place sell longer speaker wires for the 4.1s? Pretty much they are regular 2 wires in one end and a mini plug 1/8" at the other. Where can I purchase these for a good price? Is it possible to make my own?

Would buying plain speaker wires and using electrical tape to wrap and extend the factory wires produce any noticeable signal loss?

 

[MichaelD]

I did something similar about 6 months ago.

You are correct; it's just two-conductor speaker wire terminated in a 1/8" mono mini plug. The hard part is soldering the wires to the two terminal on the plug. They are close together and it's very easy to short them against each other.

If you want to extend the wires, I wouldn't mess with trying to solder wires to a new 1/8 plug; I'd get speaker wire and solder it to the Klipsch-provided speaker wire. Basically, just make the wires longer by adding wire, instead of substituting your own.

I am a bit of an audiophile (on a budget) and I know all about trying to push lots of wattage thru skinny wires. I got on this train of thought that the Klipschs' amp was "suffering" b/c of the skinny wires, so I tried to make my own using 16-gauge wire and new miniplugs.

It was a bitch trying to solder the plugs, b'/c of the metal sleeve that screws down over the connections. I am handy with a soldering iron (15 years + experience) and had trouble. After a few shorted-out plugs, I just switched back to the stock ones. It sounds just fine.

I'd add wire to the existing wires; easier that way. Also, try to solder it and cover it with heat-shrink tubing; that is the most electrically and physically secure way.

 

[Paul]

Thanks for the quick respons, but one problem. I've never done soldering before. I believe my friend has a soldering iron I could borrow but are there any other solutions to this?

Btw, where should I get the cables from? I know the Kipsch ones are 22 gauge. Radio Shack?

 

[MichaelD]

Soldering is not difficult, it just takes practice...like anything else, I guess. Your friend has an iron...does he know how to solder? If so, that's the best way. Radio Shack/BestBuy/Circuit City/Fry's/Home depot all sell standard 16/18 gauge speaker wire.

I believe the Klipsch wires are 22 gauge *snicker*. Mine are *just* long enough to reach where I need them to.

I'd use 18-gauge.

If you can't get the wires soldered, buy a crimping kit (RS sells them) and use butt connectors to connect the two wires and wrap the connector with electrical tape.

 

[Paul]

Yeah my buddy's a Mech. Engineer major so he knows what he's doin.

Cool man, I'll stop by RS Monday.

Q. Would using 18 gauge wire connected to 22 gauge wire be worth it? I'm assuming performance would be at the lowest common denominator sort of thing.

 

[Jeff H]

Paul, Klipsch is selling Monster Cable wiring kits for the ProMedia systems. Granted they're not cheap ($60 for the 4.1) but they are longer, w/ quality connectors and heavier gauge wire. I too attempted to make my own wiring kits, and getting the plugs correct was an exercise in frustration!

 

[Paul]

Yeah, I noticed that too; but for $60 bucks I'd rather spend it on a pair of speaker stands.

 

[Raincity]

I dont know what troubles you guys are having soldering the speaker cable to the 1/8 mono miniplugs ? Did mine with 16 gauge wire and Rat Shack miniplugs. Took a total of 10 minuits to do the whole job. Promedia Monster cable setup, o boy, another foolish way to spend your money.