Soldering speaker wire - essential?

[Hoot 10+ year member]

What's the general feeling about this? Is it generally recommended or are using the crimp-on terminal clips ok? I ask because I am just starting to do my own installations and I don't own a soldering iron. It just seems a hassle to solder if one needs to get the speaker out, or replace later on; however, my local shop always solders.

I assume they (the shop) does so because it prevents wire from coming apart and saves them time in the end. But, is it really necessary? Or can solid connections be made without a soldering iron? If solid connections *can* be made without a soldering iron, what's the best method?

Might the crimp-on terminal clips work well, too? Thanks!

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[Ignatowski 5,000+ posts]

crimp is fine,and most shops dont solder diddly

 

[UndercoverPunk 5,000+ posts]

the spade terminals will work, but you can get an iron pretty cheap and it will ensure you of a good connection that won't come loose. I'd reccomend doing it eventually.

 

[Alpineinstaller 10+ year member]

crimping is fine as long as the wires are solid. At work I crimp al the wires. Cut the wires you dont use like two inches shorter than the ones you do use. Electrical tape those around the wires you did use. Then zip tie. Put two on each side one in between the butt connectors and and the harness and one between the first zip tie and the butt connectors. And repeat on both sides.

Thank you Thank you very much.

 

[bikejunkie223 10+ year member]

A good crimp job (easy to do w/good pliers) is way beatter than an average/poor soldering job. + no one ever burned interior or melted plastic with a butt connector. Stick to crimp connectors and spend the $40 to get some snap-on crimping pliers.

 

[Alpineinstaller 10+ year member]

i'd go with Klein they are cheaper and really nice

 

[Hoot 10+ year member]

I like this forum.

 

[bikejunkie223 10+ year member]

I'm a Master Tech, and all my stuff is Snap-on, so that's what I recomend, though Klein makes excellent tools as well, just don't know where to find them around here.

 

[UndercoverPunk 5,000+ posts]

Klein wire stripper = teh win!

 

[KaeZoo 10+ year member]

Home Depot carries Klein crimpers. With many, many Snap-on items, you can find the exact same tool online under another brand name if you're willing to do some searching. About the only things I still get from Snap-on are their pick tools and sockets with magnetic inserts.