Both soldering and crimping require the correct tools and some skill. Poor to excellent results can be had with either technique. Generally the only thing I solder are RCA ends.

 

I agree completely with Dukk though I solder more.

I dont know why SQ sanctioning bodies disclike the 'butt' connectors so much but both are fine

 

Soldering all the way. Make sure you have a place to put the soldering iron, don't accidentally put it on the floor, it'll melt right through the carpet.

 

I've seen too many people accidentally desolder or otherwise bugger up their tinsel leads to support that activity. Again, some skill is required.

Also, some companies (CV for example IIRC) will void warranty if they see solder on a speaker terminal. Be careful.

 

I almost missed this thread, good thing it was not too late, I had a horde of customers here from the last 20 - 10 years ago that all just showed up for warranty claims on bad crimps. (sorry Tom, I had to). It is all in the tool and the quality of the crimp used, I just had 2000 really crappy crimps show up that went straight into the trash as I knew from experience they sucked ****. A good crimp and the right tool makes all the difference in the world.

 

Because queens and princesses of the industry make up rules like that. Back in the earlier days of IASCA competition, soldering speakers leads to an amps speaker terminals meant that performed a modification to the amp and landed you in the Expert 1001+ class. Some guy at a show actually did this, and found himself in trouble for it. Why you would mess up screw terminals by soldering wire to them I do not know...

 

Get non insulated crimp butt connectors

strip both wires 1/4 inch

put heat shrink on one wire first.

crimp on butt connector

use soldering iron,, not gun

heat connector and use acid or resin core solder and put solder to connector

make sure solder flows into the wires

let cool a sec

put heat shrink over connection

use lighter, mini torch or heat gun to shrink heat shrink

if you want you can get heat shrink with a glue sealant in it to make

connections water tight.

 

A question for those of you in the know: Why do people insist on soldering straight to the terminals? It's not like connectors are expensive. I think I paid like 3 bucks for a pack of 100 not long ago.

 

Most people just put that terminal on and call it a day, they do not check to see if it is tight or not. Will it rattle off over time for example. How tight is it when it is crimped. I am not a big fan of push on speaker terminals myself, having replaced more than I would care to admit over the years, primarily in the front doors where moisture is prevalent. That leads to rust and a worn connection. A solder job here is a good idea if that is what the customer is paying for.

 

Never trust a butt connection. Solder is the way to go with shrink tube.