Knock knock. Who's there? Banana. Banana who? Banana clips!

[scootermaster]

So, simple question: Banana clips/plugs, or twist the end of the wire, unscrew the post and shove it in there, and screw it back down?

 

[Shadowknight]

Both work. I'd use the plugs, as they're more convenient to quickly undo connections.

 

[bruceb]

You want this kind of banana plug:

It uses a set screw inside the barrel to secure the wire.

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/21242B7NHKL._SL160_AA115_.jpg

Runs about $6 per pair. Excellent quality.

 

[mmntech]

I do the twisty thing because I'm cheap. I use banana plugs a lot for DC wiring though for my RC equipment. They're certainly more convenient, and more durable.

 

[vshah]

+1 on the screw type banana plugs as opposed to crimp type banana plugs or spade connectors

 

[cpals]

You want this kind of banana plug:

It uses a set screw inside the barrel to secure the wire.

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/21242B7NHKL._SL160_AA115_.jpg

Runs about $6 per pair. Excellent quality.

Mine were a bit cheaper at monoprice.. came out to be around $2.50/pair.

 

[DisgruntledVirus]

You want this kind of banana plug:

It uses a set screw inside the barrel to secure the wire.

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/21242B7NHKL._SL160_AA115_.jpg

Runs about $6 per pair. Excellent quality.

Mine were a bit cheaper at monoprice.. came out to be around $2.50/pair.

http://www.monoprice.com/products/subdepartment.asp?c_id=104&cp_id=10401&cs_id=1040115

Go there. Personally, I'd use one of these two (with preference on the first one)
http://www.monoprice.com/products/p...=10401&cs_id=1040115&p_id=2801&seq=1&format=2

http://www.monoprice.com/products/p...=10401&cs_id=1040115&p_id=2943&seq=1&format=2

 

[mmntech]

+1 on the screw type banana plugs as opposed to crimp type banana plugs or spade connectors

You can also use solder type, which gives you a rock solid bond.

 

[slag]

waste of money imho. I mean, once you put your speakers where they are going, there's really no need to unplug them from themselves or the receiver. The connection between the bare wire and the speaker is solid if screwed down and it wont go anywhere.

Just something else to spend money on.

 

[ivan2]

i solder mine on the gold plated crimp banana plug at parts express. cheap and effective.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

I had some crimp-on banana plugs before that I got for cheap. I was moving a lot (2x a year sometimes), so having easier connections was nice. They didn't work very well though. If I was getting them again, I'd definitely go with non-crimp style connectors.

For now I've ditched the crimp-on and am using unterminated wire for my connections... works fine.

 

[jtvang125]

Using just the bare wire is a PITA especially when there's not a lot of room back there. You usually have to use both hands, one to hold the wire in and the other to tighten it down. With banana clips all you need is one hand and a slight push and you have a solid connection.

 

[Rhoxed]

I have 2 full 7.1 set-ups and all i use is the bare wire.

dont get me wrong 2.50 per pair is not bad, but i would have to buy quite a few pairs for every terminal, and it is not often i move all my equipment.

 

[scootermaster]

What about audio quality? I feel like I remember someone saying something about banana plugs being worse, but perhaps I'm imagining things.

Right now I've got my VR-950's connected with kimber (?) cable and some plugs (I didn't put them on there), but my center channel and rears could use plugs. For $15, to be able to pop them in an out, it's probably worth it, assuming there's no degradation in audio signal. The actual speakers themselves aren't a big deal, but screwing and unscrewing the posts on the receiver gets annoying after awhile.

 

[mmntech]

What about audio quality? I feel like I remember someone saying something about banana plugs being worse, but perhaps I'm imagining things.

I doubt this. It can't be any worse than a 2.5mm connection on your headphones is, or RCA connections. Probably a bad connection.

A good kind to use are the ones that have a hollowed out inside. Put the bare wire in, melt solder inside so it fills the cavity to the top. It's more work but produces a more reliable connection. A pocket torch works well to do this. I use this method for my higher voltage needs.

 

[CubanlB]

RCA (75ohm unbalanced) and headphone are totally different connections than speaker wire.

That being said, unless the banana plug is made out of some seriously crappy material you are going to have a hard time telling the difference between banana plugs and bare wire.

I'm generally against soldering just because the more varieties of conducting materials you add the more variations in resistance you are adding. Again, most likely totally not perceivable at frequencies we can hear.

 

[scootermaster]

RCA (75ohm unbalanced) and headphone are totally different connections than speaker wire.

That being said, unless the banana plug is made out of some seriously crappy material you are going to have a hard time telling the difference between banana plugs and bare wire.

I'm generally against soldering just because the more varieties of conducting materials you add the more variations in resistance you are adding. Again, most likely totally not perceivable at frequencies we can hear.

Cool. Thanks for the info. And as an added bonus, my mom was born in Havana. =]

 

[scootermaster]

These are on sale at monoprice. I just ordered 6 pair (my mains already had plugs), so now my rears and center channel can have some two!

6 pair was like $6 with shipping. Max 10.

 

[PurdueRy]

RCA (75ohm unbalanced) and headphone are totally different connections than speaker wire.

That being said, unless the banana plug is made out of some seriously crappy material you are going to have a hard time telling the difference between banana plugs and bare wire.

I'm generally against soldering just because the more varieties of conducting materials you add the more variations in resistance you are adding. Again, most likely totally not perceivable at frequencies we can hear.

What is wrong with adding materials of differing resistivities?

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

For me the screw-down banana plugs are worthwhile for two reasons: They make it much easier to deal with heavy-gauge speaker wire, particularly on the back of a receiver or power amp where space is at a premium, and they are clearly marked with black and red, making it easier to avoid inadvertently hooking things up out of phase.

 

[Rio Rebel]

I also prefer locking banana plugs. I bought a set of these for my 7.1 system:

http://www.speakerrepair.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=locking

I don't know that there's a significant difference, I just like the peace of mind that they are snugly connected.