Let’s talk speaker wire and terminating, eh?
Any particular gauge any of you run, or is it just whatever is lying around…Furthermore, when you’re terminating your wires, do you solder the ends before attaching banana plugs and whatnot?
Thoughts on CCA vs. solid copper?
As for me, the “bench tech” in me has always soldered the ends with some added heat shrink.
This was discussed in Depth 5 days ago. I think you will find all your answers here -
Does speaker cable matters after all?
https://www.reddit.com/r/audiophile/comments/17bn6c3/comment/k5nagag/?utm_source=reddit&utm_medium=web2x&context=3
Here is a brief summary. I’ll start with one parameter of Cable -
14ga Stranded Oxygen Free (OFC) Copper can sustain 300w all day long, and has a 1,800w Working Peak Power. That’s covers a vast majority of people’s needs.
Just to show some contrast, common 16ga wire has a Sustained Power of 110w with a Working Peak of 1152w. That’s still pretty good.
However, if you are considering 12ga wire, that has a Sustained Power of 692w and a working Peak Power of 3200w.
Capacitance, and Inductance don’t come into the picture until you hit about 50ft. The losses here are still small but definitely measurable. So, as long as your cable runs are less than 50ft, you are good with either 14ga or 12ga wire. There are link to completed wire, and bulk wire and Banana Plugs.
Are Banana Plugs flawless, no. But they are so damned convenient, and they do make a good solid connection with the wire. At the link, you will find two Brands of Banana Plugs - Sewell and Media Bridge - both good, I have both, and they are similarly priced.
The nice thing about those banana plugs is that you don’t need any tools to install the wire into the connector.
Here is a Video -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxlaFn19JiA
Both brands use the same principle and they hold the wire very tight.
Check the link, and I think you will find what you are looking for.