To Solder A Bannana Plug, or "Not" To Solder - That's the Question...?

[lifestyle]

My question is obvious, is it better to solder, compression fit, opposing screw fit...? Please explain why too. If soldering the connection is best - is 60/40 rosin core solder acceptable? Thanks Audiophiles!

 

[markw]

I can't say that I've ever come across a banana plug that was made to be soldered.

What type of plugs are you talking about? Pictures?

 

[markw]

Parts Express sells one, but it does'nt look like your typical banana plug, although you could solder any of the typical ones...

Link please. I've got several banana plugs and none would lend themselves easily to soldering.

 

[fuzz092888]

Link please. I've got several banana plugs and none would lend themselves easily to soldering.

These are the only one's I could find on PE

http://www.parts-express.com/gold-binding-post-banana-jack-pair-extra-long-shaft-with-solder-tabs--091-340

 

[markw]

And so is mine. What plug it it?

As you might surmise from my first post in your other thread on this, soldering seems superfluous, if not impossible.

Now, please post a link to the banana plug you're asking about.

 

[markw]

These are the only one's I could find on PE

http://www.parts-express.com/gold-binding-post-banana-jack-pair-extra-long-shaft-with-solder-tabs--091-340

Those look like an invitation for a short. the first thing I would do is cut that stupid extention off.

 

[markw]

Here's the link... http://www.parts-express.com/parts-express-gold-16-12-awg-solder-type-banana-plug--091-1168

Well, since they specifically specify solder, what does your common sense tell you?

 

[fuzz092888]

Not for me. Just don't see the point. YMMV

 

[highfigh]

I can't say that I've ever come across a banana plug that was made to be soldered.

What type of plugs are you talking about? Pictures?

They're out there- you need to look for them. Multi-meter leads often have them.

 

[markw]

They're out there- you need to look for them. Multi-meter leads often have them.

It's just that in all my years in this hobby I've never felt the need for them. The compression fits have always been up to the task, and a heckuva lot more convenient I would assume. All that's needed is a good wire stripper.

 

[markw]

Do you have any understanding on that subject markw? Does the frequency conduct better through a soldered joint, or a pressure fitted joint?

That's got to be one of the most inane statements I've ever heard.

Obviously, you have no idea of the function of solder in electrical circuits.

No, I don't have any understanding of this subject.

Unless you want to factor in I built an amp from two table radios in '63, sold stereos in the 60's, 70, and the 90's, Trained on microwave radio in the air force (think klystrons and wave guide), was certified in mil spec soldering, and did semi-pro sound for various churches in the area for about 20 years.

Yeah, I guess I'm not qualified to answer your silly questions.

 

[highfigh]

It's just that in all my years in this hobby I've never felt the need for them. The compression fits have always been up to the task, and a heckuva lot more convenient I would assume. All that's needed is a good wire stripper.

A good wire stripper and the knowledge to NOT strip off too much insulation. In my decades in the business, I couldn't begin to count all of the receivers and amplifiers I saw that came in for service and found that the customer stripped 1" and then caused the wires to touch. Sometimes, it looked like they used their teeth and I've actually seen people do that.

 

[highfigh]

These are the only one's I could find on PE

http://www.parts-express.com/gold-binding-post-banana-jack-pair-extra-long-shaft-with-solder-tabs--091-340

Those aren't banana plugs, they're binding posts.

 

[slipperybidness]

Solder and heat shrink are typically gonna always be the best / most permanent connection.

But, I rarely bother with that on my audio gear. It kind defeats the point of speeding up the process with the plugs.

On my RC cars, the battery charger uses banana plug outputs, so I have several adapters that are male banana plug on 1 end and proprietary plugs on the other. For those, I use solder-plugs and heat shrink, just to make it a much more durable and dirt resistant connection.

 

[WaynePflughaupt]

Those aren't banana plugs, they're binding posts.

That highfigh said. Those are for the terminals in a speaker enclosure, not to fit on a cable between amp and speakers.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

 

[j_garcia]

There's zero benefit to soldering your connectors unless you are abusive to your cables. In which case, easy to remove and replace would still be better IMHO. Sound-wise, there's no difference soldered or not.

 

[lifestyle]

That's got to be one of the most inane statements I've ever heard.

Obviously, you have no idea of the function of solder in electrical circuits.

No, I don't have any understanding of this subject.

Unless you want to factor in I built an amp from two table radios in '63, sold stereos in the 60's, 70, and the 90's, Trained on microwave radio in the air force (think klystrons and wave guide), was certified in mil spec soldering, and did semi-pro sound for various churches in the area for about 20 years.

Yeah, I guess I'm not qualified to answer your silly questions.

You don't know if a soldered joint conducts better than a crimped joint? :/

 

[Darren Buckner]

I wouldnt solder in my opinion,if you strip the wire to the right length and insure no wires are stray i dont see the point in trying to change a plug that works fine with the screw down method.

Only plugs that are not any good are the ones that are badly made.

 

[markw]

You don't know if a soldered joint conducts better than a crimped joint? :/

Wrong. If you understood my previous posts you wouldn't have to ask this.

 

[highfigh]

You don't know if a soldered joint conducts better than a crimped joint? :/

Done correctly, there's absolutely nothing wrong with a crimped-on terminal- same with a proper solder joint.