How To Build a Better Speaker Cable 

Man this video came out 2010 and its better than most other cable diy videos you can find in 2020

These are great cables. Very well constructed and snazzy to look at, too! As someone who works with Pro Audio, guitar, and audiophile gear for a living, I want to address some of the misinformed comments I've read. Electrically, there are only two factors that really matter in speaker cables: the ability to handle high current/low voltage signal, and a connection-to-connection DC resistance that is sufficiently low enough to not cause excessive damping on the speaker. Aesthetically, a cable ought to be flexible, sturdy, and if it looks cool, so much the better. Using dual 22 gauge leads as demonstrated here effectively creates a 14 gauge connector, which is quite robust for medium power amps, and the short distance means resistance is negligible. AC induction is also negligible and twisting the cables will not "filter" the low frequencies as suggested by some. Exotic metals and dielectrics used in the construction of some uber-boutique speaker cables is laughably ineffective and succeeds only in parting the rich and gullible from their money. And lastly, there is no such thing as a "cable burn-in period", so if the cable is well made and well suited for the application, it is ready to use right from the get go.

From Leo: I have been making speaker cables from lamp cord for decades. Standard 18 gauge will easily support 200 watts, it is polarized for keeping polarity straight, it is cheap and lasts for years. Any hardware store has long rolls that you just buy the length you want. It even comes in 3 or 4 colors if you color code your equipment.

I remember the first time I saw the drill/wire trick. It blew my mind how simple it was to make it look so professionally done!

Just ordered a bunch of stuff from these guys. Great Experience. They convinced me to make my own cables for studio use, which will save me a LOT of money in the long run.

I do admire talent, especially where someone can make such a tedious and somewhat difficult task (not as easy and smooth as Rob makes it look here if you haven't done this before) look so effortless. Anyhow, it really is great to see this type of talent and a TRUE professional at work! Thanks for the great video but you also helped me to decide to stick with some Monster 16 GA and banana plugs!

Wonderful video. I was looking for something completely different, but am very happy that I watched the whole video. You made those cables beautifully and so professionally soldered. Well done...

What a perfect DIY. I love this workshop so much.

OMG....THIS IS FANTASTIC!!! THANK U SO MUCH. Can't wait to make my first few pairs of hi-end speaker wires when my parts arrive. Learned some neat new tricks from this video that I surely appreciate.

wow, nice cable you got there and the best soldering tut ive ever seen

Awesome instructional for building wires. I've been doing my own home theater and pro sound stuff for years and I can't count how many times I've done my connectors only to realize "woops" forgot to put the barrel end on! :)

good stuff bobby! man each time i watch this, im always impressed! and yes i understand how long it would take to produce a cable like this too. perfection takes time!

This cable looks absolutely gorgeous.

A video from this long ago at this quality - I can't wait to watch the other ones on this channel! Thank you!

nice dude, very well explained and very sympathic too. thanks!

I am going to have a go at this. You make it look so easy!

Video was shot beautifully and the instruction was crystal clear. Can't really ask for more.

I did everything you told me to do now my house is gone! Amp went up in flames house burnt down!! I'm Kidding!! lol... this helped me out a lot great video!

Thanks man, good tutorial. I like the idea of a yellow speaker cable! No more mix ups with my instrument cables!

Very clean work.

Thank you for the advice. I thought the same thing and I did try switching the speakers around and it did sound the same so I think what I will do now, seeing that I have more knowledge than 6 years ago, I should pull the speakers out of the box and assess all joins and neaten them up. Thanks again for the advice...

lol..gotta love the guys who watch and then tell you how they would do it instead of making a youtube video. thanks for sharing..good job.

LOVE these videos, You saved me from making a mess of things. Thanks for making them! "It's goggle time"

I have been building cables with techflex type materials for years that have been used in everything from aircraft to mining. My trick to keep the sheathing in place is too use a dual wall heatshrink (adhesive lined heatshrink). If you make sure the heatshrink overlaps the sheathing onto the wire it will hold everything in place. I would also always out a piece of heatshrink over any center conductors. It is easy to do and can prevent any future mishaps.

Watching this works therapeutically for me.

I must say - that is very creative and looks like a fun and simple project. I'll give it a go! Thanks!

i dont know what i love more the video or the way tube depot handles negative comments

Cool...thanks for the reply. Looking forward to getting my techflex on and finishing these up!

beautiful work, thanks for the video.

Very nice presentation. Can you use a normal 2000W hairdryer instead of the thermal pistol ?

Just read Richard's comments. Funny thing is that I'm currently in Montreal to do an educational talk. One of the big aspects of the talk is right techniques for the right situation. Good videos. I haven't made cables in 20 years. That tech-flex was new to me.

Thank you very much for this great video, the cable looks very professionell and i think it sounds great.

Love this video ! Enjoyed watching it !

Thanks for sharing this! Much appreciated!

Nice work, very neat ! Thanks for the video.

Thank you for this tutorial. It's Great!

Thanks for all the help your site is great and your help has been wonderful. I'll be ording soon.

TubeDeport, Great video, thanks for the information, Greatly Appreciated.

Nice attention to detail

Excellent tutorial !!!! Camera angles 100% Narration 100% Camera closeups 100% Keeping it interesting 100% Finger nails close-ups - Needs trimming ;) Great Job!!!!

awesome video !!

I think its brilliant that safety eyeshields were shown being worn.- as well as the solder / flux splash sticking to the eye and burning it, - the burn sensation goes on and on, and on etc. a good pair of eyesshields are cheap, and if looked after, are easy to get used to.

That goggle time moment was epic!

You should insulate soldering points inside the jack (you could use smaller shrink tube). If you do it without insulation, bended cable can make a short and blow up your amp...

Awesome video!

Great tip with the drill! Thanks!

This cable geometry really does work. Very noticeable in the mid to high frequencies. Hearing is believing. As far as melting the tek-flex, a person could wrap the bottom edge with some type of fabric to keep it insulated from the heat of the gun.

Very nice work :)

Great vid. Thank you!

great job nice to see your work

Very Useful, Thanks!

I was wondering how people get great braids going, this looks great. Using two thinner wires joined together does make for a flexier cable that can still handle current. Most likely the braid also rejects interference. Nice one.

Thank you for posting that. It was a very interesting read. Anyone thinking about spending more than $3 on speaker wire should read that first.

Thanks for the info. I was thinking about 14awg myself but wasn't sure about that. 12awg wire is not small so your totally right about connectors. By the way great video and hell with the haters.

Great... It's a very useful guide. Thank you

Very good video, benefiting for life. Thank you! ! ! awesome! ! !

Great work, You're an interesting character. Thanks!

Very nice video.

If you attach an open eye hook somewhere you are working, you can hook one end of the cable to the hook and have both hands free to hold the electric drill. Not limited to your arm span.

@TubeDepotTV Thanks once again for all the info and setting my mind straight, keep up the good vidz

Great video! Glad to see you recommending the Switchcraft connectors. There are none better.

With construction like this, I'd be tempted to twist one black and one white together, and then twist those together. The common mode rejection should be just that tiny bit better because you're effectively doing a double set of tightly twisted pairs then, rather than two fairly large wires in a looser twist. At audio frequencies and speaker voltages (never mind the kind of environment that uses 1/4" TS as speaker cables), it almost certainly makes jack all difference, of course.

Thanks for the reply, I am actually constantly swapping speakers for different tonal properties and this way I don't need 7 speaker cabs so spade connectors are my best option but thanks all the same.

It's goggle time! I love it! Thanks for the great videos, they're informative and fun to watch. You have a new subscriber!

Great video. Actually learnt something. I don't understand why there's any dislikes to this?

thank you for this beautiful video that we can learn from it, I have only one notification and it's about your soldering when you soldered the two wires you made them with out any isolation from each other that could make a short cut through them and damage the power amplifier (in case the jack was accidentally bended) I think you should use some thing like electrical tape to isolate them. thank you again

Great videos thanks

Buen trabajo, you are PRO.

@TubeDepotTV it is so big ! the cable looks nuclear proof ! no need to tell i had a hard time twisting those beasts (by hand) and fitting the G&H plugs. The heat shrink tubing was also a tight fit. its an impressive cable :)

Rob the builder!! yes we can

Well I'll be ... that was awesome. Time to make my own speaker cables I think. Thanks so much for taking the time to make this tutorial. Now I don't have to spend BIG money on speaker cables & I get the satisfaction of doing it myself.

Very cool video...

These videos are always excellent. Keep up the good work!!! What gauge of wire would I use for handling say 300watts? Also, it would be excellent to see a video on how to make a "Y" cable if you haven't already made one. Thanks for these great tips.

Good to see John Stockton is keeping busy in his retirement.

thanks for clearing that up. I thought that was the case. I bought 16 gauge 4 conductor wire bulk and make all my cables from it (line, microphone, etc.) and figured getting one thick gauge wire instead of different wires for different applications would be less confusing/dangerous than confusing my mic cable for my speaker cable for example.

LMBO! Thank you so much for your specificational assistance;)

Nice work.

this was so cool!!

very usefull for all of us

I just built one with 18 AWG for my 100W Engl head, thats one HUGE cable ! I couldnt une my neutrik jacks as the cable was too big, had to use G&H plugs that looks like your Switchcraft.

WELL DONE !

I get your point, my impression was that you were promoting a cheaper variant to purchasing ready made cables. I failed to see that this is more of an educational video. Happy to see that people still take pride in using the fruits of their labor.

very nice job .....

Good vid. Thanks for sharing.

you have changed my life...

Thanks a lot!! you're wonderful!!!

Great tutorial!! Thanks, I am going to use this technique for some other cables that I'm going to make. finished product looks great!

Very nice.

too good,I like it.

A lot of the time one single wire will break when moving it around, twisting a pair is great for assuring that you always have a connection even if one breaks, plus it improves impedance.

Sir can you give the information about the cables an accessories I need to build a cable like the one you made in this video, what kind of cable is it n names of parts. Thank you I really appreciated

Thanks for the project. One question: which is the difference between this kind of cable and instrument ( guitar....) ones?

Great job.

@TubeDepotTV it often happens to everyone, the best thing is to write down what to do. i love your channel by the way, it stimulates me to build my own amp, i just twisted two cables together with a electric drill :) and i like your humor :D

The "It's goggle tune!" shot was just enough beats too long to be odd enough to make me chuckle." >:D

Like someone said they want to point out how things might be wrong but don't have their on vids on how they are right. I'm just glad you didntjus talk about it but did vid about it.

Cool! Thanks

Enjoyed your video

If I were going to make some Loudspeaker cables, I would buy 2 conductor, 12 or 14 AWG stranded cable with a flexible jacket in lengths under 25 feet for in Home use. Secondly, I would only use a Professional Pro Audio style connector, such as the Neutrik Speakon or Dual Banana plugs. Or you can also visit your local Hardware Store and buy a roll of 14 gauge Zip cord, (aka Lamp Cord) Some come in Clear, White or Brown colored jackets. The only tools you need to make these are a pair of wire cutters / strippers. No Soldering or Shrink wrap required! :-)

@ Ron Bernard "Speaker cable with a headphone jack ?" It's for a guitar amp speaker output; they use this connector. - It was originally called a "phone" plug. They have been used for many things, including, years ago, for patching signal at telephone switchboards! - The headphone plug you're thinking of is similar, but with three conductors, (tip, ring, sleeve. (TRS)) for stereo. - Apparently you did not watch the video..