Using speaker cable to connect to my subwoofer (1 Viewer)

[DanUK]

Hi guys. I hope you can help me please.

I need to hook my subwoofer (RCA input) to my AV unit (RCA out) but unfortunately I only have the following speaker cable running between the two. I cannot run any new wires as the wires were pinned, plastered and painted and I am in rented accommodation.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00YOYJEHI/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Is there any way to use that speaker cable and 'add on' RCA jacks to either end? I have a subwoofer cable which I can split the ends off, but I just wanted to check that:

1. it's worth trying - i.e. actually plausible
2. whether the non-shielding will just create problems
3. what the best way of doing this is... I know inside the subwoofer cable there are strands 'loose' which are the negatives (to be connected to the black speaker cable), and inside a white sleeve are the positives to be connected to the red)
   1. should these be soldered?
   2. or could I use a junction box such as: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B003ZWE7HW/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Thanks in advance!

 

[Wayne A. Pflughaupt]

Yes, you’ll very likely get some hum. Signal cables are shielded for a reason (i.e. the “loose strands.)” You can’t solder large-gauge wire to an RCA connector, so your splicing scheme is your best option. The connector strip you linked will work fine.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

 

[DanUK]

Thank you. I can certainly give that a go. With the hum is there anything I could do to eliminate it? Thanks again!

 

[Wayne A. Pflughaupt]

Nope – nothing you’ll be able to do about the hum, if you get it.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

 

[DanUK]

Fingers crossed!

So, just to confirm:

I'm cutting the ends off an RCA cable and attaching, with the above linked connectors, to the speaker wire.

The loose ends within the RCA to the black speaker wire, the ones within the white shielding to the red. Securing with electrical tape and then fingers crossed?

Thanks,
Dan

 

[DanUK]

Going to give this a go later. Is it worth trying in the way I've mentioned above?

Thanks again for the help

 

[DanUK]

Another update for you I tried with the cable connectors and whilst there was no hum, the subwoofer simply didn't receive any signal. I used the channel test on the AV receiver and when it got to the subwoofer there was no output whatsoever.

Shall I pursue the wireless option?

Thanks again for your help!

 

[Wayne A. Pflughaupt]

There’s no reason it shouldn’t get a signal if the connections were done right. Might check them with a volt-ohm meter to make sure you didn’t leave one side open, or manage to get a short between the two conductors.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt