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Choosing rca cables

Discussion in 'Audio & Video' started by Suggin, Dec 17, 2013.

  1. Dec 17, 2013 at 8:25 AM
    #1
    Suggin

    Suggin [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I'm going to be replacing my stock speakers and headunit pretty soon, trying to figure out which rca cables to buy. I will be using a 4 channel amp so I will be needing 2rca sets to connect from amp to headunit. I have heard that I do not need twisted pair since my amp is not top of the line (Google steve meade coax vs twisted). I am trying to find a nice shielded rca coax 4 channel cables at a decent price. Anybody have any preferences? I'm new to car audio so I'm still learning, I've heard knukonceptz ends fall apart easily. Also, I'm putting my amp under the front seat of my ext tacoma so they do not need to be long, what maybe 6 ft or something? Not sure...anybody help out?
     
  2. Dec 17, 2013 at 8:27 AM
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    Phil Dammit

    Phil Dammit Well-Known Member

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    I scored a set of shielded monsters on woofers for dirt cheap.
     
  3. Dec 17, 2013 at 8:48 AM
    #3
    Suggin

    Suggin [OP] Well-Known Member

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    What's woofers? U saying u bought a set for ur subwoofers or is that a website. Links would be great.
     
    Last edited: Dec 17, 2013
  4. Dec 17, 2013 at 9:15 AM
    #4
    Phil Dammit

    Phil Dammit Well-Known Member

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    WOOFERSETC.COM
     
  5. Dec 17, 2013 at 9:34 AM
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    ike3000

    ike3000 Well-Known Member

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    I've used Stinger RCAs in the past and haven't had any problems. I'm currently using some really expensive Audison RCAs that I think are way overkill, but I got them for free with the amp. I would recommend at least 10 ft cable just to be safe.
     
  6. Dec 17, 2013 at 9:37 AM
    #6
    Seabass

    Seabass Give it to me. I'll break it for you

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    Just a bunch of old crap
    If you get RCAs with gold contacts and good thick shielding, you should be fine. Also, if you ground your amp and deck properly/solid, you should minimize any ground loops anyways.

    I've used the cheapest of cheap brands back in the day, and they worked ok. Went with super expensive ones and can't really say that I got much of a difference. I know scientifically the thin cheap ones probably increased THD and let in a little bit of interference. You'll know as soon as you start up your engine and get the alternator loaded, because you'll hear the whine/interference. Also after you do the install, turn on your a/c, lights, and everything else powered and then rev the engine and listen for interference in your speakers. If it's clear, you're fine.

    Also, when you make RCA connections, don't leave them exposed. Cover them with some good electrical tape or shielding to keep out moisture and also to prevent any interference weaknesses.
     
  7. Dec 17, 2013 at 9:41 AM
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    Phil Dammit

    Phil Dammit Well-Known Member

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    Also be sure to run RCA's serperate of power and ground as much as possible
     
  8. Dec 17, 2013 at 9:42 AM
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    Seabass

    Seabass Give it to me. I'll break it for you

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    ^^ yes, this helps tremendously.
     
  9. Dec 17, 2013 at 9:47 AM
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    Phil Dammit

    Phil Dammit Well-Known Member

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    Im getting some resonate white noise in my passenger tweet post head unit and RCA's either in my amp or speaker wiring. Not amused by it. Assuming wiring as it comes and goes, gonna have to tear into it though to figure out what happened.
     
  10. Dec 17, 2013 at 10:20 AM
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    Suggin

    Suggin [OP] Well-Known Member

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  11. Dec 17, 2013 at 10:36 AM
    #11
    Phil Dammit

    Phil Dammit Well-Known Member

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    with your limited knowledge/experience you will not be able to tell the difference between the two.
     
  12. Dec 17, 2013 at 11:14 AM
    #12
    JLee50

    JLee50 Well-Known Member

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    I ran some from these guys on my MR2: http://www.knukonceptz.com/

    But...I have electronic power steering which introduces a nasty interference whine so I wanted as much shielding as I could get. In other cars I've always used cheap stuff and it was fine.
     
  13. Dec 17, 2013 at 11:28 AM
    #13
    Seabass

    Seabass Give it to me. I'll break it for you

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    Just a bunch of old crap
    Every vehicle is different, that's for sure. I do know that if I use oversized grounds on everything, it really helps. And ground to a separate bolt, not near something else that is grounded near it. That has always fixed more interference issues than anything else, besides keeping power/ground wires away from signal wires (RCAs or speaker wires).

    Sometimes one of those ground loop isolators that goes inline with your RCAs can help if nothing else does. Had a car where that was the final and only solution to get rid of alternator whine.
     
  14. Dec 17, 2013 at 4:05 PM
    #14
    Riverdog

    Riverdog Well-Known Member

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    I agree. Its unlikely you'd be able to tell the difference. I would think that you'd be happy with the cable you picked out on Amazon. If you'd rather have some coax RCAs, check out these ones at MonoPrice.com. They have really good reviews from a lot of customers that have used them in their cars. I've order several cables (never RCAs though) from MonoPrice and have been happy.
     

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