Hard wiring speaker cables to cross-overs - any real sonic benefits?

Thetiminator

Well-Known Member
Apr 20, 2015
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Im looking for a bit of advice
Some of my spades and banana plugs are getting a bit ropey and due a change. But my x-over is really easy to access, so I am if just soldering the speaker cable directly to the x-over wires would be better, or do you foresee any problems? Surely removing plugs and binding posts is a good idea? Save a small fortune on connectors too...there are 8 binding posts on each speaker...thats at least $2000 in 16 high quality binding posts and spade connectors alone...

I don’t foresee me changing my speaker cable either so that isn’t a consideration.
Thanks guys....

See my x-over;


 

cal3713

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Nov 2, 2020
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I kind of split the difference and use low mass pure copper lever clips, although if I knew my gear was in its final location I'd probably go all the way and solder. I think it's a no-brainer if the system and room are stable enough that you can deal with the inconvenience. Why put all that extra metal in the middle of the signal path if it doesn't need to be there?

My (work) computer isn't showing your crossovers, so apologies if this is meaningless advice in your use case, but one thing to note is that you might have to do some sealing around the wires where they exit the speaker. I was getting some "chuffing" and "puffing" noises when I played loudly and had to seal the area with silicone. It was more challenging than I expected to seal the holes to prevent this. A lot of pressure inside the cabinet even despite the small pre-existing port...
 

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Thetiminator

Well-Known Member
Apr 20, 2015
86
19
238
Thanks Cal
My cross overs are in a separate compartment away from any driver enclosure, so that’s not a problem. Though I would get some kind of rubber bung to keep the wire in place and affix the cable up the cabinet so there isn’t any weight pulling on the wire too....
Did you note much difference before and after or did you start from scratch that way with your First Watt?
 

cal3713

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Nov 2, 2020
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Unfortunately for both the speakers and amplifier I incorporated the binding post modification along with other changes so I can't report on the degree of improvement. Damn greedy behavior. Sorry.

But like you said, I don't care how exotic and perfectly engineered the connector is, you're just adding more metal (and micro air gaps) to the signal path. It has to be better to go direct.
 

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