Need new RCA cables for my car...recommendations?

[jamesbond007]

Hey guys! My buddies and I setup a nice stereo in my car. Unfortunately, one of the pairs of Tsunami cables died. I have 3 pairs of these installed right now, but one of the left channels that operates my rear speaker cuts in and out. In short, I need to replace the cable and was wondering what you guys have had good luck with? I asked around and I guess that RCA cables can and do sometimes die out over time, but c'mon! I just set this thing up last August. Really a bummer, to say the least. No, there are no sharp bends and two of my friends have been doing pro installations for quite some time. They didn't have any problems with Tsunami before, but I'm a bit hesitant to head down this road again if it happens.

There's no kind of warranty on the package and Tsunami doesn't reply to my emails or calls so I think I will be sure to steer clear of them from now on. Dicks...

What have you guys had good luck with? Any recommendations? Something that won't break the bank?

Thanks for the input!

 

[mrchan]

Stinger

 

[Ornery]

I asked around and I guess that RCA cables can and do sometimes die out over time...

• • :roll:

 

[jamesbond007]

Yeah, I was talking to this guy about that today Ornery and I guess it's because the numbskull has equipment that isn't fixed in his car. Apparently the crap rubs against the cabling, pulling and rubbing away at the coatings.

Anyways, I bought some today. I bought an 18' quad-channel (two-pair) set from JL today. Only set me back $30...I was thinking about going with the ultra-high grade thicker stuff, but that was $100 foot for the 20'...

Hey, I was wondering. Sometimes I can hear 'engine noise' through my speakers. Could that be related to the fact that my current Tsunami cables are coated with cloth/fabric and not plastic? It seems to be more apparent on the speaker that cuts in and out, which I'm guessing is due to the break/weakspot in the line on the jack behind the deck.

These JL cables have a 1yr warranty on them backed through Team Electronics (not sure if you all have them in your area) but they're a pretty decent company with high-end stuff. (hey, when you live where I do, you don't have many other choices)

EDIT: I should mention that I know engine noise through the speakers can be attributed with the use of an un-coated power wire. I got some free 4 guage tubing from Team for free that I'm putting around the power wire tomorrow which will run up to the firewall.

 

[MasterAndCommander]

The Scosche one's I got from Walmart have been working fine

 

[Howard]

You can make interconnects yourself.

 

[jamesbond007]

Originally posted by: Howard
You can make interconnects yourself.

Not sure I'd trust myself on that one. I asked an electronics buddy about trying to repair the broken Tsunami cable and he said that can be more trouble than it's worse. Though, we have already found the break in the line to be near the RCA plug on the wire...but he said it'd be hard to work with the coatings and materials that layer and protect the actual transmission cable.

EDIT:

Originally posted by: MasterAndCommander
The Scosche one's I got from Walmart have been working fine

I don't like Wal-Mart.

 

[nakedfrog]

It's not hard to repair an audio cable. Of course, lots of people would rather not do that. I generally only do so as a temporary measure.

 

[jamesbond007]

Originally posted by: nakedfrog
It's not hard to repair an audio cable. Of course, lots of people would rather not do that. I generally only do so as a temporary measure.

Is it going to be somewhat hard to do? I can take pictures of the cable when I take it out this morning. Can I resell it, you think? I'd rather just take it and strangle someone from Tsunami. J/K of course!

Maybe I'll turn them into bondage whips and sell them on ebay. haha!

 

[Blinden]

that engine noise is most likely alternator whine. Bad ground is usually the cause.

As far as cables go, obviously you have already bought some, but I have had good results from www.knuconceptz.com

 

[Slvrtg277]

The real James Bond wouldn't need to ask ATOT about an RCA cable.

 

[jamesbond007]

Originally posted by: Slvrtg277
The real James Bond wouldn't need to ask ATOT about an RCA cable.

The real James Bond would beat your face for such a comment! :laugh:

Blinden, thanks, I'll still check out the site. As for a bad ground...is there a way to check? There's a bolt in the trunk under the carpet we attached to. There's actually 3 grounds hooked up to the same spot. (Cap ground along with two amp grounds) The paint is scraped away, too, to allow for the best transmission.

EDIT: I think you may have misspelled the URL...

 

[Blinden]

K's... dang, sorry, I'm not into this 'hipspeak'

KnuKonceptz.com

as for the ground, thats tough, I'm no expert, unfortunately, but I drilled a new hole, just for ground in my car.

maybe check out The 12 Volt, they have a very well informed audio forum.

 

[nakedfrog]

Originally posted by: jamesbond007

Originally posted by: nakedfrog
It's not hard to repair an audio cable. Of course, lots of people would rather not do that. I generally only do so as a temporary measure.

Is it going to be somewhat hard to do? I can take pictures of the cable when I take it out this morning. Can I resell it, you think? I'd rather just take it and strangle someone from Tsunami. J/K of course!

Maybe I'll turn them into bondage whips and sell them on ebay. haha!

You could probably resell it to a cheapskate
But I suppose it would be better than not getting any money back out of it at all

 

[jamesbond007]

Well I'm back from installing the new JL cables! It got rid of the hissing/background/engine-like noises I was hearing from the speakers completely! I'm very suprised and thrilled with the new cables.