Stripping RCA Cable To Use As Subwoofer Wire

Have you considered stripping the end of an RCA cable to use as a speaker wire connecter to an amp or subwoofer? Well, we know many newbies have, they aren't competent in this area, and if that is you, we might save you from a fire hazard. 

Even though it can be done, it’s not worth ruining your RCA cable and possibly the speaker too. RCA cables aren’t built to support such high-powered technicals.

They will be strained by the amp power and can cause a fire. A greater option is to search for a cheap speaker cable, or you can even use a regular lamp cord that's 18 ga or thicker. 

What's The Difference Between Rca Cable And Subwoofer Wire? 

Suppose you have been browsing the internet wondering which piece of equipment is capable to translate a high-quality connection between the subwoofer and receiver.

In that case, you might have stumbled upon many debates. However, we believe that they vary strongly, and some key differences exist between them.

Both the RCA cable and subwoofer cable work by sending signals to the standard left, right, and center channels with a coaxial connection, except the fact that the subwoofer cable has additional shielding added to reduce the speaker hum and provide greater sound clarity. 

If you are still tempted by the price difference, find a way to check out the difference in sound play between these two cables. 

Can You Convert An Rca Cable To A Speaker Wire? 

If you have ever thought of converting an RCA cable to use as a speaker wire, we would not recommend doing so. RCA cables come thin, so much that they are meant to carry low-level signals. 

Whereas, speaker cables generally come thick and hefty so that they can effortlessly carry high-level signals from the amplifier to the speaker. Even if your music system is very low-powered, RCA cables aren’t built to do justice to that, the signal won’t carry the superior punch, thud, and brightness.

How Do You Tell If A Cable Is A Speaker Cable? 

If you have cable lying around in your house and you need some for your speaker, there is no need to go out straightaway and buy a new cable, it's totally possible to check old cables. You'll just need to unscrew the plug body and take a look at the wires, strip away any shrink tube or excess wire insulation if it’s hard to see. 

In a case, if the wire has a molded end, you'll need to slice open the cable with a razor knife lengthwise, and see if it's shielded wire or not, then repair it with tape, it will keep on working, its no big deal to cut it open, just make sure it's not connected to anything. 

What Type Of Wire Is Used For Subwoofers?

The signal and power coming out of your amplifier must not be slowed down on their way to your speakers and subs. It’s important to make sure your speaker wiring is 18-, 16-, or 14-gauge, and 16-, 14-, or 12-gauge for wires for the subwoofer. The gauge should be chosen for the system output and power, if the power is big choose 16-gauge if it’s a low-powered speaker you can go with 12-gauge. 

Conclusion

Some subwoofers are capable of working with an RCA connection, but a special subwoofer cable offers higher shielding to reduce AC hum and promises a clear sound. Many audiophiles tell the difference between cables is interchangeable – neither will make a true difference, but this is not the case, you should always use the special speaker wire for speakers rather than stripping the RCA cable and risking it. 

About Author

Arielle P

Songwriter | Music Producer | Engineer.

With a background in music production and a strong passion for education, Arielle is dedicated to helping emerging artists navigate the music industry. She has worked with a diverse range of artists, from indie rock bands to well-known hip-hop and grime artists. Arielle's unique approach to teaching focuses on empowering artists to take control of their brand, ensuring they retain creative ownership throughout their journey. In her free time, she enjoys experimenting with new sounds in her home studio and sharing her insights through music production tutorials and workshops.

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