Soundwise.org - Mr PC Pro Cable Mod

Getting Started

Article: How-To

Author: ZoSo

Saturday, July 14, 2001

While surfing through the Klipsch Message Forums, I noticed quite a few people discussing cable replacement and saying that you can get better sound quality by doing so. Some people said they noticed the sound quality did improve, others said it wouldn't make a difference. My opinion, well let's just say I can understand what both sides are saying. Bottom line is, final judgment will be decided by you. But I can say this, the plugs I used in this article are definitely a big improvement. When I first set the speakers up, I did have to fiddle with one of the plugs for one of the speakers to work, and going by what I read over at the Klipsch Forums, I wasn't the only one.

Well that got my curiosity going and being a mod nut, I had to try it!

I also seen a lot of people also asking how to do it, what did you use, and a couple of other questions. So I decided to throw a basic "how-to" article together to try and shed some light on the subject. I hope you enjoy it.

Even though the title reads "..for ProMedia's", you can take the basic steps and put them to use for any speaker system, with some minor changes, mostly with the type of connectors, and cables you would use.

NOTE: The procedures in this guide include soldering, if it's your first time at soldering, be sure to do a little research on the web before proceeding. There's plenty of tutorials out there. Keep in mind, the type of soldering in this guide is one of the most basic ways of soldering, and it's fairly simple. Good soldering results come more from experience then understanding the "How-To" of it. Practice a few times to get the "feel" of your tools. Just remember to have fun.

Materials and Tools

Materials:

I happened to get everything at Radio Shack but the choice is yours. To me getting Monster Cable @ approx. $64.99 for a 50' spool is not worth it in this case. Now if you plan on running speaker wire from one room to another room then I could see the use of it. For what we are doing, 16AWG cable from Radio Shack is more then adequate.

1-50' Spool 16AWG, 2Conductor, Stranded, Speaker Wire. Cat# 278-1267, cost $8.99

4-Gold Plated, Solderless, 1/8"(3.5mm) Mono Mini Phone Plug. Cat# 274-868 cost $2.99 each.

Tools:

Rosin Core Solder, Standard 60/40 formula for electronics work. Diameter 0.032", 8.0 oz. spool., cost $7.99

Soldering Iron, I used a 35watt.

Electrical Tape (Optional)

Wire Cutters

Wire Strippers

Tape Measure

Rubbing Alcohol & Paper Towels

Ohm Meter, I used a digital meter cause I just happened to have one.

Razor Blade (Optional)

Phillips Screwdriver-#1 Tip

Something to act as a "third hand" to hold plugs and wires while soldering. You can buy "soldering stands" but I just used a pair of mini Vise-Grips(#5WR). If you use vise grips, be careful to not over tighten them. You only need to set them to grip just enough to keep the part from moving.

Next... Take Note





Getting Started Article: How-To Author: ZoSo Saturday, July 14, 2001 While surfing through the Klipsch Message Forums, I noticed quite a few people discussing cable replacement and saying that you can get better sound quality by doing so. Some people said they noticed the sound quality did improve, others said it wouldn't make a difference. My opinion, well let's just say I can understand what both sides are saying. Bottom line is, final judgment will be decided by you. But I can say this, the plugs I used in this article are definitely a big improvement. When I first set the speakers up, I did have to fiddle with one of the plugs for one of the speakers to work, and going by what I read over at the Klipsch Forums, I wasn't the only one. Well that got my curiosity going and being a mod nut, I had to try it! I also seen a lot of people also asking how to do it, what did you use, and a couple of other questions. So I decided to throw a basic "how-to" article together to try and shed some light on the subject. I hope you enjoy it. Even though the title reads "..for ProMedia's", you can take the basic steps and put them to use for any speaker system, with some minor changes, mostly with the type of connectors, and cables you would use. NOTE: The procedures in this guide include soldering, if it's your first time at soldering, be sure to do a little research on the web before proceeding. There's plenty of tutorials out there. Keep in mind, the type of soldering in this guide is one of the most basic ways of soldering, and it's fairly simple. Good soldering results come more from experience then understanding the "How-To" of it. Practice a few times to get the "feel" of your tools. Just remember to have fun. Materials and Tools Materials: I happened to get everything at Radio Shack but the choice is yours. To me getting Monster Cable @ approx. $64.99 for a 50' spool is not worth it in this case. Now if you plan on running speaker wire from one room to another room then I could see the use of it. For what we are doing, 16AWG cable from Radio Shack is more then adequate. 1-50' Spool 16AWG, 2Conductor, Stranded, Speaker Wire. Cat# 278-1267, cost $8.99 4-Gold Plated, Solderless, 1/8"(3.5mm) Mono Mini Phone Plug. Cat# 274-868 cost $2.99 each. Tools: Rosin Core Solder, Standard 60/40 formula for electronics work. Diameter 0.032", 8.0 oz. spool., cost $7.99 Soldering Iron, I used a 35watt. Electrical Tape (Optional) Wire Cutters Wire Strippers Tape Measure Rubbing Alcohol & Paper Towels Ohm Meter, I used a digital meter cause I just happened to have one. Razor Blade (Optional) Phillips Screwdriver-#1 Tip Something to act as a "third hand" to hold plugs and wires while soldering. You can buy "soldering stands" but I just used a pair of mini Vise-Grips(#5WR). If you use vise grips, be careful to not over tighten them. You only need to set them to grip just enough to keep the part from moving. Next... Take Note	Try These Mods! DigitalDiva Floor Stands DigitalDiva Wall Mounts Heresy Speaker Stands LightZ Mr PC Pro Cable Mod