Any decent banana plugs out there?

[Tao1]

This seems like a simple question, but I am having a tough time finding a decent plug. I am looking for something with the dual set screws, an insulated grip, and that isn't an insane price per connector.

The main issue is an insulated grip. There seems to be one design on Amazon (FosPower) that is rebranded a bunch of times where people have said it is not insulated. I also don't get the deadbolt style either as it leaves a point of contact for something to short out your amp.

Are there any recommendations?

 

[Verdinut]

Bluejeans plugs seem to fit your needs:

Locking Banana comparison

I’ve been happily using Bluejeans locking bananas on one end of my Canare 4S11 speaker cables (the other end has a SpeakON connector) and thought I would add locking banana termination to another set of speaker cables for my living room system. I’ve seen Nakamichi locking banana plugs listed on...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[ryanosaur]

This seems like a simple question, but I am having a tough time finding a decent plug. I am looking for something with the dual set screws, an insulated grip, and that isn't an insane price per connector.

The main issue is an insulated grip. There seems to be one design on Amazon (FosPower) that is rebranded a bunch of times where people have said it is not insulated. I also don't get the deadbolt style either as it leaves a point of contact for something to short out your amp.

Are there any recommendations?

Check out the Monoprice Affinity series. I’ve had no problems with mine. They are also offered in a 90° option whiskey is great behind the Speaker.

 

[Tao1]

Bluejeans plugs seem to fit your needs:

Locking Banana comparison

I’ve been happily using Bluejeans locking bananas on one end of my Canare 4S11 speaker cables (the other end has a SpeakON connector) and thought I would add locking banana termination to another set of speaker cables for my living room system. I’ve seen Nakamichi locking banana plugs listed on...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Thanks!


The Bluejeans one looks like it is solid metal down the length meaning it is conductive. That thread was helpful though! There was a generic plug which fit the criteria and the guy said he was happy with them. I just happened to find that particular plug on Ali Express when was I looking up another plug in the thread. $40 for 20 pairs, but at least they are guaranteed a refund if they aren't up to snuff.

 

[Tao1]

Check out the Monoprice Affinity series. I’ve had no problems with mine. They are also offered in a 90° option whiskey is great behind the Speaker.

I looked up those and the jacket seems to be made of aluminium and screws directly onto the plug which is why I skipped over it. They looked perfect otherwise, and out of stock anyway.

 

[ryanosaur]

I looked up those and the jacket seems to be made of aluminium and screws directly onto the plug which is why I skipped over it. They looked perfect otherwise, and out of stock anyway.

The anodized coating (aluminum oxide) is not supposed to conduct electricity very well. This applies across the board to any such product.

In order to ground amp modules properly to an anodized chassis, you have to grind the coating off, for example.

Regardless, it is what’s commonly available. I’ve been using banana plugs since 2018 with no ill effect.

In the end it is your choice.

If this is such a concern, get some red and black heat shrink tube and add an extra layer of insulation. *shrugs

Cheers!

 

[j_garcia]

I also use the locking plugs from Bluejeans.

As mentioned, basically all of them use aluminum sheaths to insulate, with gold clad brass connectors.

There is also Sewell on Amazon. Not as good as the locking ones, but others here have used them.

I have also used KnuKonceptz BFAs. They do not seem to make a regular banana anymore; only the BFA style.

 

[Squishman]

I've used multiple sets of these over the years. More surface real estate for great component contact and two set screws. Whenever I need more I always get these. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008D2TC4M/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1

 

[William Lemmerhirt]

They are also offered in a 90° option whiskey is great behind the Speaker.

Brother. Whiskey is great in front of the speaker!
Happy thanksgiving.

 

[Mark E. Long]

Check out the Monoprice Affinity series. I’ve had no problems with mine. They are also offered in a 90° option whiskey is great behind the Speaker.

Same and reasonable price I seen a few reviews on these they are supposed to be the best for what they are .

 

[highfigh]

This seems like a simple question, but I am having a tough time finding a decent plug. I am looking for something with the dual set screws, an insulated grip, and that isn't an insane price per connector.

The main issue is an insulated grip. There seems to be one design on Amazon (FosPower) that is rebranded a bunch of times where people have said it is not insulated. I also don't get the deadbolt style either as it leaves a point of contact for something to short out your amp.

Are there any recommendations?

Unless you need to change equipment frequently, you don't actually need banana plugs- they were originally made for laboratory/engineering/design department use, not in systems where 'set it and forget it' is common.

 

[Tao1]

The anodized coating (aluminum oxide) is not supposed to conduct electricity very well. This applies across the board to any such product.

In order to ground amp modules properly to an anodized chassis, you have to grind the coating off, for example.

Regardless, it is what’s commonly available. I’ve been using banana plugs since 2018 with no ill effect.

In the end it is your choice.

If this is such a concern, get some red and black heat shrink tube and add an extra layer of insulation. *shrugs

Cheers!

Yes I realize that, but there is plenty of the brass part sticking out of the Blue Jeans ones. From the disassembly pics in that thread, it looks to be a continuous piece.

For the common sleave design, reviewers have said they have had issues with grounding. Here is one about the Nakamichi plugs:

 

[Tao1]

Unless you need to change equipment frequently, you don't actually need banana plugs- they were originally made for laboratory/engineering/design department use, not in systems where 'set it and forget it' is common.

It is more for hooking up to the back of the amplifier. It is a bit awkward reaching behind things, and takes a fair bit of time to get all the speakers inserted and under the binding posts. Let alone banana plugs prevent whiskers from trying to blow things up.

 

[highfigh]

It is more for hooking up to the back of the amplifier. It is a bit awkward reaching behind things, and takes a fair bit of time to get all the speakers inserted and under the binding posts. Let alone banana plugs prevent whiskers from trying to blow things up.

Best ways to avoid whiskers- don't remove more than 1/2" of insulation, twist the strands before inserting the ends and open the binding post fully, rather than "That's enough to get the end in"- it's not. You can also tin the tip of the wire, to prevent the strands spreading.

Doing this for more than 45 years makes me not care if it takes a little longer, but yes, banana plugs make it easy.

I buy mine from Parts Express- they have many types.

 

[Tao1]

Best ways to avoid whiskers- don't remove more than 1/2" of insulation, twist the strands before inserting the ends and open the binding post fully, rather than "That's enough to get the end in"- it's not. You can also tin the tip of the wire, to prevent the strands spreading.

Doing this for more than 45 years makes me not care if it takes a little longer, but yes, banana plugs make it easy.

I buy mine from Parts Express- they have many types.

Yeah I took a look at Parts Express, and they had some decent looking ones. One of the factors I failed to mention though is that I am in Canada, and buying from a US dealer is currently problematic. The value of our dollar vs the US dollar is tanking pretty hard, shipping costs are a pretty big addition to something cheap like plugs, and our postal service is currently on strike anyway. Other than USPS, many retailers in the US like UPS which charge us insane brokerage fees while keeping the delivery hostage until we pay.

 

[highfigh]

Yeah I took a look at Parts Express, and they had some decent looking ones. One of the factors I failed to mention though is that I am in Canada, and buying from a US dealer is currently problematic. The value of our dollar vs the US dollar is tanking pretty hard, shipping costs are a pretty big addition to something cheap like plugs, and our postal service is currently on strike anyway. Other than USPS, many retailers in the US like UPS which charge us insane brokerage fees while keeping the delivery hostage until we pay.

Here ya go- same ones are available from Parts Express, but this link is for Best Buy Canada- if you want to make them less likely to short from touching, you can put heat shrink tube over the body & cap, shrink it and slice it where the body and knurled parts meet, then poke a hole for the wires.

https://www.bestbuy.ca/en-ca/product/techcraft-copper-speaker-banana-plugs-open-screw-type-high-quality-1-pair/15372705