How to connect this shower speaker?

[beelzerob]

I got my speakers for the steam shower, but the connection for the speaker wires isn't like one I've seen before. I'm hoping it doesn't require me to solder, because I suck at that, and it's going to be while the speaker is suspended from the ceiling..not a good environment.

 

[samgreco]

I got my speakers for the steam shower, but the connection for the speaker wires isn't like one I've seen before. I'm hoping it doesn't require me to solder, because I suck at that, and it's going to be while the speaker is suspended from the ceiling..not a good environment.

There are these. They're crimp on.

Available in many sizes. But soldering is still not a bad idea. It's really easy.

 

[beelzerob]

Available in many sizes. But soldering is still not a bad idea. It's really easy.

How would I solder this? The wire I have for speakers is 14ga, and I don't believe it would fit through that hole. I'd imagine you're supposed to fit the wire through the hole, then twist it back on itself and solder the whole thing, right? But I don't think it'll get through that hole.

 

[tmbrown97]

Available in many sizes. But soldering is still not a bad idea. It's really easy.

How would I solder this? The wire I have for speakers is 14ga, and I don't believe it would fit through that hole. I'd imagine you're supposed to fit the wire through the hole, then twist it back on itself and solder the whole thing, right? But I don't think it'll get through that hole.

Rat Shack will have the two different sizes - that's about the only place I've seen the smaller terminal size - but you can use the larger for both if you want.

What I've done in the past in that situation is use some fine-tipped needle-nose pliers to stick in the hole and widen it up, then crimp it back after and drizzle some solder in there - would last forever. May have to strip the plastic off before expanding it (rat shack has 'em without the plastic too) - you don't need it...

 

[beelzerob]

Ok, I see...go find a crimp connector for each sized connection. How stupid they're different.

I'll haunt radioshack and see what I can find....probably just take the speaker with me. figures, too, I have about 50 spade connectors, but I'm sure they aren't the right size.

 

[tmbrown97]

and don't worry about folding it back on itself... with those you just insert the wire 'till it hits the stop tab and crimp. Soldering just gives you a little extra protection.

And the spade connectors you have should match the larger one... I see that all the time on speakers - and when you're buying the spades, they tend to carry a package that's some of the large and some of the small - with some insulated and some not.

But, I can't tell you how many times I've hooked up speakers with the normal spade connectors (including using the larger size on the smaller terminal) and just given 'em a little pinch with the pliers to make 'em snug and just forgot about them... never had an issue result.

 

[beelzerob]

Hmm...well, I might as well see how close it is to fitting...a shame to buy even MORE connectors.

 

[tmbrown97]

wow - sorry to hammer the replies - I need to finish my thoughts here...

I forgot to mention - those come in 3 sizes... Red is smallest, then Blue, then Yellow. The Yellow should handle your 16 gauge without having to spread them... I just haven't seen the yellow ones in the smaller size anywhere easily accessible. If it were me, out of laziness and not wanting to solder, I'd probably use two of the yellow ones, both the larger size - give 'em a pinch with the pliers, and call it done.

 

[Lagerhead]

I'd probably use two of the yellow ones, both the larger size - give 'em a pinch with the pliers, and call it done.

A small point, but don't you want identical polarity across all of the speakers, so they remain acoustically in-phase? Seems to me this is the main reason the spade terminals are different sizes. Choose one wire for all of the large spade lugs and the other wire for the small one and you will guarantee correct acoustic reinforcement.

 

[beelzerob]

Choose one wire for all of the large spade lugs and the other wire for the small one and you will guarantee correct acoustic reinforcement.

Huh?

Someone break that down for me in terms of what I crimp onto my speaker wire.

 

[personalt]

Speakers have a positive and a negative. I dont think it really matters if you just have one speaker but if you dont want two speakers near each other to be wired backwards of each other(differnt phases). If you do that one is pushing and one is pulling and that cancels out some sound, or at least messes it up a little

the differnt size terminals assures that if you prewire all the speaker wires the same way, when it comes time to hook them up they will all be hooked up the same polarity. In your case I think you can just buy all wide crimps as long as the wide one makes a good connection.

Choose one wire for all of the large spade lugs and the other wire for the small one and you will guarantee correct acoustic reinforcement.

Huh?

Someone break that down for me in terms of what I crimp onto my speaker wire.

 

[tmbrown97]

Of course... you don't want to mix up polarity... but you don' need different sizes to do that... just pay attention and be consistent. depends on if your wire is red/black, copper/silver, striped/unstriped - just make sure that what's negative at the receiver is negative at the speaker.

 

[Lagerhead]

Speakers have a positive and a negative.

When you have two or more speakers in one area, it is "better" to wire them so that they are all "in-phase". Certainly it's not mandatory -- either way you hook it up, it will work. But the impact of failing to do so can be reduced volume and inferior sound fidelity. Whether it matters is determined by your needs and your ears. I mentioned it only because you have the opportunity now, at initial installation, to do it right, and it explains the connector differences.

 

[beelzerob]

Ohh, ok...got it. What you mean is basically "connect + to +". In the pic, the wider band is also marked with a red dot...that's the positive terminal. I'll make sure that is positive on both ends, and for both speakers.

It's a little moot, though...we're only installing 1 speaker in the shower itself, the other speaker goes outside the shower door to give sound for the bath area. I know, I know, we might miss out on real 2-channel sound, but I'm not interested in having 2 speakers in both locations, since they're only about 8 ft apart and separated by a shower door that will only be closed while we're in there. And I couldn't find a dual channel speaker that was shower ready either.

Thanks for the advice and help! I'm not sure my spade connectors will work with this just because the ones I bought were for like 18-22 wire, not the 14 ga speaker wire I have. I'll have to see if they'll withstand some widening, but if not, I guess it's off to Lowes (again!)

 

[robolo]

I'm curious what is the model of the speakers? Are they any different than a regular wet environment speaker?