Am I Wrong here?

[nateberrier 10+ year member]

pouncer11 comments on Opinions on RCA cable extensions

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[bubbagumper6 5,000+ posts]

I don't think you're wrong but I think the effect would never be noticeable...

I took an electromagnetics class that covered transmission lines and impedance matching and whatnot and I believe what you're talking about definitely applies but like I said, I think the difference would be so minimal I doubt anyone would notice a difference.

 

[nateberrier 10+ year member]

[quote name='bubbagumper6']I don't think you're wrong but I think the effect would never be noticeable...

I took an electromagnetics class that covered transmission lines and impedance matching and whatnot and I believe what you're talking about definitely applies but like I said, I think the difference would be so minimal I doubt anyone would notice a difference.[/QUOTE]

We used one to extend rcas in @Phoenix Risen car and the drop in voltage was fairly noticable. mind you they were scosche products to tie things over, but it was pretty obvious. Guy on diyma also mentioned that he could tell when their was anything in the line be it a processor etc. I dunno if he was full of it, but I dont think I am wrong for suggesting against couplers.

 

[maylar 10+ year member]

Signal bouncing back? Umm... no.

Inline connections add a risk of going bad and getting noisey, but no more risk than connecting them to the amp or HU. A connection is a connection, and good quality gold plated RCAs are pretty damm good connections. Realize that the current through an RCA cable is less than a milliamp, so a half ohm of connection ain't gonna do squat. I agree with the reply that exposed RCA barrels could ground to the vehicle chassis and pose ground loop problems but that's about all.

My RCA cables on the sub preouts were about 2 feet short (darn Buick is long) and I extended them without any issues. Covered with heatshrink at the connection. I'll admit that it made me cringe to do it, just on principles, but oh well.

 

[bubbagumper6 5,000+ posts]

Signal bouncing back? Umm... no.
Inline connections add a risk of going bad and getting noisey, but no more risk than connecting them to the amp or HU. A connection is a connection, and good quality gold plated RCAs are pretty damm good connections. Realize that the current through an RCA cable is less than a milliamp, so a half ohm of connection ain't gonna do squat. I agree with the reply that exposed RCA barrels could ground to the vehicle chassis and pose ground loop problems but that's about all.

My RCA cables on the sub preouts were about 2 feet short (darn Buick is long) and I extended them without any issues. Covered with heatshrink at the connection. I'll admit that it made me cringe to do it, just on principles, but oh well.

I second that, actually had that problem on my first install. Caused my subs to pulse, it was really weird.

 

[mlstrass 5,000+ posts]

I've used them numerous times, wrapped in tape to avoid grounding them accidently. It adds another point of failure, nothing more. Have never had an issue...