OK to have speaker wires connected to sub but no speaker on other end?

[iwski]

I'm installing a 3-channel amp, but only the 2 stereo channels will be used for the next couple weeks. Then I will connect a sub. Due to its difficult mounting location, I want to hook up everything now, including the wires for the sub but they would not have anything hooked to them. Is this OK as long as I tape the ends of the wire off?

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[Zakerid 10+ year member]

sure... make sure the ends are well insulated.

 

[skadude016 5,000+ posts]

ya should be fine. when that amp is on dont let those wires touch!

 

[iwski]

Thanks people!

 

[Buck 5,000+ posts]

Just wrap the end of the wires in electrical tape so they don't touch.

 

[thch 10+ year member]

I'm installing a 3-channel amp, but only the 2 stereo channels will be used for the next couple weeks. Then I will connect a sub. Due to its difficult mounting location, I want to hook up everything now, including the wires for the sub but they would not have anything hooked to them. Is this OK as long as I tape the ends of the wire off?

typically yes. some amp manuals will advise against this though for non-obvious technical reasons. It is preferred to disconnect the wire at the amplifier side as well. The issue is that some amplifiers cannot drive capacitive-only loads very well. Though this is more of a "good practice" then a strict requirement.

but you can still run the wire -- it would just be disconnected on both ends.

 

[Lothar34 10+ year member]

Why not just pull the RCAs out of the sub channel?

 

[helotaxi 5,000+ posts]

The sub channel would still power on and still might not like the wire being there.