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DIY speaker wire: does insulation matter?

I'm planning to make solid core copper speaker wires and have a couple of options as to the insulation to use, and would like your input: cotton, mylar, Nomex, or mica-based.

Does the insulation material matter?
How thick should the insulation be?
BTW, what kind of voltage are speaker wires subject to?

Looking into Anti-cables, they use VERY thin PVC, I believe.

FWIW, speakers are B&W 804S, amp is McIntosh MC275, wire length will be 8 feet, wire diameter 0.098 inch (gauge 10, I believe), and I'm planning to biwire the speakers.

Thank you!
lewinskih01

Showing 3 responses by cpk

cpk
190 posts
 
Cotton is a terrible suggestion as a dielectric for a copper conductor. Untreated cotton will absorb moisture from the atmosphere and allow unabated access of the atmosphere to the conductor. In the form that you will be using it in it's dc is a min. 3.9 a bit higher then PVC (not good for this app.)BTW I believe anti-cables use a polyester varnish like magnet wire not PVC.

The only thing cotton has going for it is that it reduces vibrations that is why it is used as a filler not an insulation.

Try something with teflon...
http://www.takefiveaudio.com/mall/shopdisplaycategories.asp?id=8&cat=Cable%2FWire
cpk
190 posts
 
From what you have written it seems that you are planning to use a un-insulated wire that you have and insulate it.

Not a good idea. First there is already a layer of oxidation on the copper if it is un-insulated, second whatever you put on most likely will not be air tight, third it is not the safest idea.

Get 14awg teflon insulated OCC wire, try 8-10 twist per foot, solder on some spades with some silver bearing solder...

BTW mylar DC is between 2.8-3.7 for cable passing a signal you shooting for low DC...
cpk
190 posts
 
That's magnet wire, it should be enameled, just use it as is, you are good to go. As for dc < 2 is good.

Good luck, have fun, & happy listening!
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