is this true about untinned speaker wire?

Home / the12volt's Install Bay / Car Audio / is this true about untinned speaker wire? (

Topic Closed)

Welcome Guest :)

Members

< Prev Topic Next Topic >

kure

Copper - Posts: 69

Joined: February 02, 2004

Posted: March 25, 2004 at 9:47 AM / IP Logged

Oxygen Free Copper:

< RANT >

As you have probably noticed, wire designated as OFC wire usually has a clear insulation and the wire is bright and shiny underneath the transparent insulator. Well... It is nice and shiny for a while but after a short time (actually from the time it is drawn), it starts to oxidize (unless the wire is kept in an oxygen free atmosphere). When copper oxidizes, it becomes a less effective conductor. This means that, in time, the wire's current carrying capabilities will become significantly reduced. The problem is made worse by having many very small conductors. This creates even more surface area which makes the oxidation process even more efficient. In my opinion, if you are designing a system of any type for long term use, I think the better choice is a 'tinned' copper wire. In this type of wire, the copper is plated with tin (maybe a lead/tin alloy) or similar conductor which will not oxidize as quickly and never as completely as the bare copper. As a side note, this has nothing to do with the copper being 'oxygen free'. It has everything to do with the fact that the wire is unprotected (untinned) and is finely stranded. I used OFC wire in this example because most OFC has many fine unprotected strands.

< /RANT > ""

this info wuz from

http://www.bcae1.com/

has anyone had these experiences

and in thsi case should i buy TINNED speaker wire

for example this RF speaker wire http://www.sounddomain.com/sku/ROCCPSBF

DYohn

Moderator - Posts: 10,741

This member has made a donation to the12volt.com. Click here for more info.

This member has been recognized as an authority in Electrical Theory. Click here for more info.

This member has been recognized as an authority in Mobile Audio and Video. Click here for more info.

Joined: April 22, 2003

Location: Arizona, United States

Posted: March 25, 2004 at 10:37 AM / IP Logged

Yes, it is true. It can be measured with sensitive equipment. Can the difference be heard? Usually not since the difference is in the micro-ohms range. But true audiophiles do not take chances and try to decrease circuit resistance at every oportunity by doing things like using oversized conductors made from material like silver-plated (better than tinned) copper.

kure

Copper - Posts: 69

Joined: February 02, 2004

Posted: March 25, 2004 at 2:47 PM / IP Logged

so go with tinned or untinned twisted?

DYohn

Moderator - Posts: 10,741

Joined: April 22, 2003

Location: Arizona, United States

Posted: March 25, 2004 at 2:52 PM / IP Logged

Get the best wire you can afford.

kure

Copper - Posts: 69

Joined: February 02, 2004

Posted: March 25, 2004 at 3:25 PM / IP Logged

i guess i'll go with knuconecptz

thankz

DYohn

Moderator - Posts: 10,741

Joined: April 22, 2003

Location: Arizona, United States

Posted: March 25, 2004 at 3:28 PM / IP Logged

Hey, you can't go wrong with them. They make great cables.

popkorn

Member - Posts: 16

Joined: March 07, 2004

Location: United States

Posted: March 25, 2004 at 9:51 PM / IP Logged

is it wrong that I paid 79 dollers for 3 meters of RCA cable?

Alpine Guy

Platinum - Posts: 2,478

Joined: October 18, 2003

Location: Canada

Posted: March 25, 2004 at 11:13 PM / IP Logged

yes

2003 Chevy Avalanche,Eclipse CD7000,Morel Elate 5,Adire Extremis,Alpine PDX-4.150, 15" TC-3000, 2 Alpine PDX-1.1000, 470Amp HO Alt.

stevdart

Platinum - Posts: 5,816

This member consistently provides reliable information

Joined: January 24, 2004

Location: Pennsylvania, United States

Posted: March 25, 2004 at 11:38 PM / IP Logged

You can twist your own bulk wire and get the same noise-cancelling effects as expensive brand cables. The twist creates the cancellation.

And what is long-term use, anyway? Just replace your cables when you change cars.

You can put a wire loom over the exposed sections of twisted wire to make it attractive (like the loom that you put around the wires in the engine compartment). It's cheap and available in hardware stores.

Build the box so that it performs well in the worst case scenario and, in return, it will reward you at all times.

Sorry, you can NOT post a reply.
This topic is closed.

Printable version

You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot create polls in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum

Search the12volt.com

Follow the12volt.com

Disclaimer: *All information on this site ( the12volt.com ) is provided "as is" without any warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, including but not limited to fitness for a particular use. Any user assumes the entire risk as to the accuracy and use of this information. Please verify all wire colors and diagrams before applying any information.

is this true about untinned speaker wire?

Sorry, you can NOT post a reply.This topic is closed.

Sorry, you can NOT post a reply.
This topic is closed.