Is it possible to splice speaker wire

We use one wire as the positive one when connecting speakers to be consistent when connecting them so as to wire them all the same way for the best results. Interested in learning more? You can find out here what size of speaker wire you should use.

Also check out my helpful article with great speaker wiring diagrams and info about using stereos the right way. Feel free to leave a comment or question below. You can also reach me directly via my contact page. How to cut speaker wire 2. How to strip speaker wire 3. Which is negative? How do I check if a speaker wire is positive or negative? Every year electricians find better ways to connect speaker wires, these are the best speaker wire connector types available today:.

This method is the easiest and most popular way of connecting wires when setting up your home audio system. In fact, it is commonly used to fix headphone wires with electrical tape.

It involves connecting two wires by twisting them and wrapping the joint with electrical tape. It is very easy to splice speaker wires and wrap them with electrical tape. However, this technique is very unreliable and therefore not recommendable when working with electronic devices. This is especially true for larger wires.

They are harder to twist and will easily separate. This is why you should use a good set of wire twist pliers. Moreover, electrical tapes tend to loosen with time, as the adhesive breaks down. That is very common if you use this technique to connect wires in a dusty, hot or wet area. However, it recommendable to use the best 3M electrical seal tapes if you must use the twist and tape method. Commonly Known as butt splices, these connectors feature a metal tube in a plastic sleeve.

Their main advantage is that they result in the most attractive appearance that any splicing method can achieve. As such, this method is the best choice if physical space and aesthetics are an issue of concern.

For instance, you can use it to connect full range speakers with wires running through your ceiling or under the carpet. All rights reserved. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc. Double-check that your speaker is disconnected before you start.

Unplug the power to the speaker and disconnect the speaker wire from your amp. If there's any power running to the speaker, you could be seriously hurt when you start working with the wires. Match the size of your replacement and existing wire. For the best sound results, use stranded not solid speaker wire that's the same gauge AWG as your existing wire.

Some wires will have the gauge printed down the side of the wire. If yours doesn't, place the wire in the holes of your wire cutter until you find the hole it fits in most closely. The number that's printed beside that hole is the wire gauge. Measure and cut your extra speaker wire. Use a tape measure to find how much extra length you need on your wire. However, add at least 1—2 ft 0. You'll need a little extra slack in the wire, since too much tension could damage the connection on your speakers or amp or cause the wire to pull free.

Consider off-setting the cuts on the negative and positive wire instead of cutting them straight across. For instance, you might make the positive end of the existing wire 2 in 5. Then, on the extension wire, you'd cut the positive side 2 in 5. This off-set will make the finished wire less bulky, and there's no chance the positive and negatives will touch. Strip the ends of both pieces of wire. Your speaker wire should look like 2 small tubes attached together.

Carefully pull these apart, so the wire forms a Y shape. Pull the wire firmly with your free hand. The insulation should slide off, exposing the bare wire without damaging it.

If the bare wires are already exposed on your existing speaker cord, you may not need to strip them again. If the wires look frayed, though, it's a good idea to cut them shorter and strip them so you have a fresh piece of wire to work with. Cut the wire as close to the frayed pieces as possible. Method 2. Twist the positive ends of the two wires together.

Find the positive sides of your existing wire and the extension. Use your fingers to gently spread apart the strands that make up the wire to increase the contact between the two wires. Interlace the two bare pieces of wire through each other at the base so they make a V shape, then twist them together in a clockwise motion until they're connected tightly. Also, if one side of the wire is silver and the other is gold, the gold side is positive. Connect the negative ends of the wires. Take the two remaining pieces of bare wire on your extension.

These will be the two negative sides. Twist these sides together just like you did for the positive ends—interlace the strands in a V shape, then spin the wires until they're wound together tightly. Wrap each set of wires in electrical tape. Starting on the positive wires, wrap a piece of tape around the insulation on one side of the connection.

Keep wrapping the tape over itself in a spiral until you've completely covered all of the bare wire. Do not leave any bare wire showing at all. If the positive and negative sides of the wire touch, your speaker could short out and be permanently damaged.

You'll also risk being shocked if you touch the bare wire while the speaker is on. Go around the whole wire with more tape.

Although all of the bare wire is now covered, you still have two separate pieces of wire that are split in the middle. This could potentially create a weak spot in the wire, so press the two sides together and wrap the whole thing in more electrical tape to create a secure single wire. Although this will help stabilize the wire, the connection could still loosen over time, especially if you move the wire or put a lot of pressure on it.

Eventually, that could cause a short that could damage your stereo equipment. Method 3. Twist each bare end of wire tightly. Don't worry about connecting the wire yet. Just use your fingers to twist the positive and negative ends of both pieces of wire until you can't see any individual strands.

Identify the positive ends and negative sides of the wires. Look at your speaker wire and find the side that's red, gold, printed, or stamped. This is the positive side. Find the positive end of the extension wire, as well.