• Check out the Annual AK Secret Santa exchange Program, signup before November 23rd in the AK Charities & Christmas forum!

Seeking Advice on Speaker Wire

cmcvey

cmcvey

Member
I recently purchased a 25 foot roll of "Electronic Master" speaker wire. All of the reviews online were good but my concern is that it appears that the outer wire strands are cooper and in the inner strands are aluminum.
Wondering if this is a sign of poor quality wiring and if I should return the roll?
The wiring will be used for both my Crown DC300A and Carver 2.0T amp. Speakers being powered vary between CV D7s, Bose 901s and Dynaco A25s.

Thank you!
 
Register to hide this ad
Standard speaker wire will have two different colors (copper & silver) to help you identify which is positive and negative. Copper is positive and silver is negative.

There is nothing wrong with this wire!
 
I checked the specs on HD site and it says, Aluminum & Copper for materials. Aluminum is not as good a conductor as copper, but you probably won't notice much of a difference though most here will tell you to return it and use pure copper, which will last longer.
Aluminum does oxidize and turns brittle with age and is not as malleable.
 
That was fast, thanks guys. Both positive and negative have copper and aluminum strands (Mostly aluminum).
I'd like to keep the wire because the price was right and I realize all copper would be preferential but as long as this wiring isn't BAD, Ill use it.
So it's not necessarily a mistake to hang onto and use this wiring? I'm not a hardcore audiophile but also don't want to take ill advised shortcuts.

Thanks again!
 
CruzBay said:
The only thing I'd be concerned about is that aluminum doesn't like solder, copper does.

But other than that...
Click to expand...
Well then it’s a good thing it’s just speaker wire and the OP doesn’t need a soldering iron for anything.
 
You can find real copper wire very affordably, 100% OFC; no reason to go with clad aluminum. Copper is the superior conductor - probably you won't hear a difference, though time may favor the copper. I'd be inclined to return it as long as the seller covers the return shipment. But I've never accidentally (nor purposely) ordered the clad. Plus squirrels like to chew aluminum, and you don't need those flea-bags in the den.
 
benricci said:
Which is 100% unnecessary.

OP, just install your new speaker wire and enjoy.
Click to expand...

The emoji probably hinted toward the tongue and cheek :dunno:. But the OP did state they are swapping speakers and amps often. So do I, while not required :banana:‘s make for an easy day ;)

:beerchug:
 
benricci said:
Well then it’s a good thing it’s just speaker wire and the OP doesn’t need a soldering iron for anything.
Click to expand...

Yeah, cuz nobody ever solders connectors on to speaker wire.
Well, I've done it a couple times, but it's probably just me.

But my mind does/says funny things to me at times.
Like how a pair of speaker wires must be the same length. Stupid things like that.

Given the choice, if it was not opened and easily returned I'd get all copper cables.
 
goodolpg said:
Yeah, cuz nobody ever solders connectors on to speaker wire.
Click to expand...
They do. But like I said above, it’s not necessary at all, and certainly not a good enough reason to return a product that isn’t defective. You guys are all dead set on this guy returning a product for no good reason.

His speaker wire is brand new and not problematic. Just let him wire it up and enjoy some music.
 
benricci said:
They do. But like I said above, it’s not necessary at all, and certainly not a good enough reason to return a product that isn’t defective. You guys are all dead set on this guy returning a product for no good reason.

His speaker wire is brand new and not problematic. Just let him wire it up and enjoy some music.
Click to expand...

You guys are all dead set on this guy keeping an inferior product for no good reason. His speaker wire was not what he expected, just let him replace it if he wishes.

See, that approach can go either way. I'm not dead set on the OP going either way (his dog, not mine under discussion), but he asked for opinions; consensus is a whole different thing not often reached.
 
My post pretty much underscores the facility of the product, but I'm pointing out that- with separate aluminum and copper formulation- it's not as versatile as CCA is.

CCA will accept solder, naked aluminum will not.

That being written, I'm not a big fan of CCA, as pure copper isn't greatly more expensive.

Does it matter? (Btw, I use CCA on some installations- I've got a spool of it, I'm just careful about where)

Not really.

Carry on.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom