Speaker Wire Connections & Wiring

[3roy]

I recently came to a church with audio wiring that needs some work. I currently have 2 questions.

1) The speaker wire from the monitors to the amp was cut in the middle at some point in the past (it's above ceiling tiles). In order to run it to our amps I need to add wire to it. Is it okay to simply use butt splices to join two wires (both 14AWG twisted speaker wire) and complete the run?

- Or should I simply run a new speaker wire (maybe 12AWG?). The run is approximately 50ft+)

2) What is the best connection for a floor jack? Our monitors on stage are currently connected to a XLR jack in the floor (which is connected to the aforementioned 14AWG). Is that okay or is there a better option?

[rriley84]

Just my opinion here,
1) I would run new wire. 14 gauge speaker wire can easily carry up to 500 watts of power from amplifier to speaker over a run up to 30 feet. However, if you are pushing power over long distances you may want to go with a bigger gauge wire such as 12 gauge. We use 12 gauge foe all of our monitor runs no matter the distance.

2) The XLR connection is fine. All of our monitors run off of 1/4" jacks and I wish they were XLR.

[3roy]

Thank you for the opinion. I've actually spliced the wires together as mentioned above...and there is the wonderful 60Hz buzz in the monitors. I think new wiring is warranted.

[tdangelo]

Originally Posted by 3roy

1) The speaker wire from the monitors to the amp was cut in the middle at some point in the past (it's above ceiling tiles). In order to run it to our amps I need to add wire to it. Is it okay to simply use butt splices to join two wires (both 14AWG twisted speaker wire) and complete the run?

3roy,

In general I would try and keep the cable-distance between the amplifiers and speakers as short as possible. Line-level-balanced & properly sheilded audio (hopefully between your mixer and amps) can travel far greater distances with lower risks of problems than the speaker cable can. That said, 50 feet is not a insurmountable distance. After you add cable to it how long will the cable become?

IF it was going to turn into a big job to pull new cable I would probably splice on the additional length. I would make it permanent (solder, electrical tape, strain relief). I would not terminate the splice-point with audio connectors as there is greater loss through the audio connectors than soldering them directly together.

IF IT WAS NOT going to turn into a big job to pull new cable (and I could just use the old cable to pull the new cable along with some rope for a potential future pull) I would replace the entire run with new (12 gauge) cable.

Originally Posted by 3roy

2) What is the best connection for a floor jack? Our monitors on stage are currently connected to a XLR jack in the floor (which is connected to the aforementioned 14AWG). Is that okay or is there a better option?

I would be very cautious about using 3-pin XLR connectors for anything other than line-level or mic-level audio! I would not (unless in case of emergency) use a 3-pin XLR as a speaker connector!

My personal preference would be for a Speak-on connector. If not Speak-on my second choice would be P4. If not P4 I would go ¼” tip-sleeve.

[Brad Weber]

+1 to Tom's comments. Splicing a speaker line is not the best approach, but if done properly, my preference would be twist and solder the conductors, put heatshrink over that and ideally provide some form of strain relief, it should work fine. And while you are tracing and rewiring everything, take advantage of that opportunity to label all the cables and create some documentation of the system.

Just to clarify the floor jacks, these are outputs of the amplifier with unshielded, 12 or 14AWG cable? XLRs are about the last thing I would pick for those connections, especially if they are 3 pin, female connectors. A locking 1/4" TS (http://www.neutrik.com/us/en/audio/2...oductlist.aspx) might be a decent choice but I agree that an NL2 or NL4 Speakon (http://www.neutrik.com/us/en/audio/2...tor_group.aspx) would be the best option.

[3roy]

Thanks again for the advice. I plan on running new cable as soon as I can (most likely 12AWG). Any that you recommend?

I'll also look at changing the floor jack. The monitors(JBL MP415) actually have speak-on connectors, so that was my first choice. I was simply attempting to fit things in the same slot as the previous, but I'd like to change it.

[tdangelo]

For the cable between the floor pocket and the wedge I would buy some 12/4 stranded SJ or SJO assuming I was going to Speak-on or P4. If 1/4" then 12/2 SJ or SJO. For the up in the ceiling stuff that is not my area of expertise.

[daver2]

+1 vote for running a new cable. Splicing is OK for a temporary solution - but I would always prefer a direct run if it were my own system.

Always ensure that it is not possible to confuse connectors and plug the wrong item of equipment into the wrong connector. You may know what to do - but someone else may not and you may move on one day. If it is possible to plug a very expensive microphone with an XLR connector into a wedge monitor XLR carrying an amplifier output signal you can bet your last dollar that someone will accidentally do it at some point...

I stick with female XLR connectors for microphone level inputs (I always use DI boxes for line signals and convert into low impedance, balanced mic. signals externally). I use male XLR connectors for feeding foldback signals to our powered wedges. We do not have separate power amplifiers for our monitors. If we did, I would use speakon connectors for the amplifier to foldback speaker connection.

The use of different connectors means that it should not be technically possible to interconnect two incompatible signal level types.

Dave

[Brad Weber]

Originally Posted by 3roy

Thanks again for the advice. I plan on running new cable as soon as I can (most likely 12AWG). Any that you recommend?

Lots of options in terms of manufacturers (Belden, West Penn, Gepco, Canare, Liberty, Mogami, etc.) but one critical factor may be if the ceiling is considered a plenum space. If it is and the cable is not in conduit then you'll have to use plenum rated (CMP or similar) cable.

If the cable penetrates any fire rated walls then you may also have to properly address those penetrations. And you need to support the cable from structure, not hanging off piping, conduit or ductwork or laying on the ceiling. These are all code compliance issues.

[Tim Padrick]

A splice will be OK. But I'd run a new 12 gauge cable (10 gauge if there's any chance that the load on the cable will be 4 Ohms instead of . Use the old cable to make monitor and guitar amp cables.