[tonyvdb]

Re: Speak Wires, Does it matter?

You will not audibly hear a difference using any of the over priced speaker wire. Go to your local home Depot and buy a spool of 14awg speaker wire and walk away knowing your did not get scammed by Monster or any of the other high priced junk.

 

[tonyvdb]

Re: "Tinning"-To Tin or Not to Tin...that is the question!!

Is this something that someone never to use a solder iron would be able to do "CORRECTLY"?

Tinning is simply soldering the ends of the speaker wire using a solder iron, some flux to clean and ensure a good coverage of the solder and a steady hand for about 20seconds with a 35watt solder iron. Apply just enough heat to the bare copper to cause the flux (solder paste) to evaporate and the solder that you feed onto the copper to melt making nice clean coverage without putting too much to make a blob.

 

[tonyvdb]

No problem Bob, all you need is the iron usually found at your local radio shack or even better a good electronics parts store for around $30 and the flux and solder is only a few bucks each. A solder iron made by Weller is my personal recommendation.
For starters just cut a small length of speaker wire and do some practice runs before tackling the one you want to do it on. And remeber not to make the wire too hot as to melt the plastic sheathing on the rest of the wire.

 

[tonyvdb]

t How long or large of a solder point should I make?

I dont think more than about one inch of wire needs to be done. Remember it still needs to fit thorough the hole of the binding post.
Tinning is one of many ways to get a good connection but I personally like locking banana plugs, Tinning is a good inexpensive way to go.