Proper way to connect banana plugs to wire

[DJ in TX]

So I recently bought a receiver, ordered some bookshelf speakers (still awaiting delivery), and bought speaker wire and banana plugs.

Before I ordered the banana plugs I found some instructional photos online that showed the process step-by-step. It looked easy enough, so I decided to do this part myself to save money. I just put the banana plugs on my wire tonight and it went smoothly, but I was using a different pictorial tonight to walk myself through the process and noticed something new. The final step says:

"Step 6: Sleeve the heat shrink tubing over the knurled
portion of the assembly so that it overlaps both the
rear and the front portions of the plug; apply heat
(with a heat gun or hair dryer) to shrink it tight."

The problem is that the previous article I saw didn't say anything about using shrink tubing, and I don't have any shrink tubing (none came with my banana plugs). Since the previous pictorial didn't mention shrink tubing, is it mandatory? Is it bad to not use this shrink tubing, and why?

 

[Alex2507]

The heat shrink tubing makes it look pretty. You don't need it. However should you really want it you can put it on later. Personally I like to take my system apart about twice a year to do something differently. Next time I get back there I am going to do what this guy did.

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=52023

 

[lsiberian]

So I recently bought a receiver, ordered some bookshelf speakers (still awaiting delivery), and bought speaker wire and banana plugs.

Before I ordered the banana plugs I found some instructional photos online that showed the process step-by-step. It looked easy enough, so I decided to do this part myself to save money. I just put the banana plugs on my wire tonight and it went smoothly, but I was using a different pictorial tonight to walk myself through the process and noticed something new. The final step says:

"Step 6: Sleeve the heat shrink tubing over the knurled
portion of the assembly so that it overlaps both the
rear and the front portions of the plug; apply heat
(with a heat gun or hair dryer) to shrink it tight."

The problem is that the previous article I saw didn't say anything about using shrink tubing, and I don't have any shrink tubing (none came with my banana plugs). Since the previous pictorial didn't mention shrink tubing, is it mandatory? Is it bad to not use this shrink tubing, and why?

*yawn

too much work.

 

[DJ in TX]

*yawn

too much work.

What do you mean?

 

[tbergman]

The heat shrink tubing makes it look pretty. You don't need it. However should you really want it you can put it on later. Personally I like to take my system apart about twice a year to do something differently. Next time I get back there I am going to do what this guy did.

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=52023

Yes, I am doing this as well sometime soon. No real benefit, but it looks amazing, not that anyone but me will ever see it.

What do you mean?

I'm guessing he's saying that it's more work than it's worth.

 

[adwilk]

I'm guessing he's saying that it's more work than it's worth.

But so is helping a doritos bag into the trash can...

 

[lsiberian]

But so is helping a doritos bag into the trash can...

That's why I stopped eating doritos the bags are too heavy when empty.

 

[Alex2507]

I'm guessing he's saying that it's more work than it's worth.

... and I'm saying that he should be ignored.

I'm currently adding these in because I don't think it's too much work.

These are BJC locking bananas. They are pretty nice and ~$5 / pair.

 

[lsiberian]

What do you mean?

I'm lazy.

Still the results can be really nice. I suggest a heat gun.

 

[lsiberian]

... and I'm saying that he should be ignored.

I'm currently adding these in because I don't think it's too much work.

These are BJC locking bananas. They are pretty nice and ~$5 / pair.

Says the man supporting Monster cable!

Exposed! I got rid of mine dumped it on the guy who bought my sub.

 

[DJ in TX]

The heat shrink tubing makes it look pretty. You don't need it. However should you really want it you can put it on later. Personally I like to take my system apart about twice a year to do something differently. Next time I get back there I am going to do what this guy did.

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=52023

Wow, that does look good. Maybe someday I will try something like that.

Well, thanks for all the info everyone, it was helpful as usual. As for the banana plugs, I am definitely glad I went this route instead of using bare wire. It's going to look very semi-professional back there.

So when putting my banana plugs on last night, the instructions said to fold the wire over the nub of the banana plug, but then trim the wire so that it doesn't go past the screw threads. Is this just to make it easier to get the banana plug to screw back together? Or is wire touching the threads a big no-no?

 

[njedpx3]

Unique Products Banana Plugs

So I recently bought a receiver, ordered some bookshelf speakers (still awaiting delivery), and bought speaker wire and banana plugs.

Before I ordered the banana plugs I found some instructional photos online that showed the process step-by-step. It looked easy enough, so I decided to do this part myself to save money. I just put the banana plugs on my wire tonight and it went smoothly, but I was using a different pictorial tonight to walk myself through the process and noticed something new. The final step says:

"Step 6: Sleeve the heat shrink tubing over the knurled
portion of the assembly so that it overlaps both the
rear and the front portions of the plug; apply heat
(with a heat gun or hair dryer) to shrink it tight."

The problem is that the previous article I saw didn't say anything about using shrink tubing, and I don't have any shrink tubing (none came with my banana plugs). Since the previous pictorial didn't mention shrink tubing, is it mandatory? Is it bad to not use this shrink tubing, and why?

You can buy heat shrink tubing at Radio Shack; it is easy to use, but I agree with Alex and others it is an overkill.

The best banana plugs have locking screws and not all banana plugs are the equal. The Monoprice are okay but the Unique Products banana plugs are the best I have found. They are very easy to use and have two set screws for each plug. They cost a little more than other solutions; but you get what you pay for $42 for 12 ( 6 pair, red and black)

http://www.uniqueproductsonline.com/lobapl12pa6p.html


Good Luck!

Forest Man

 

[Alex2507]

Wow, that does look good. Maybe someday I will try something like that.

Well, thanks for all the info everyone, it was helpful as usual. As for the banana plugs, I am definitely glad I went this route instead of using bare wire. It's going to look very semi-professional back there.

So when putting my banana plugs on last night, the instructions said to fold the wire over the nub of the banana plug, but then trim the wire so that it doesn't go past the screw threads. Is this just to make it easier to get the banana plug to screw back together? Or is wire touching the threads a big no-no?

The wire touching the thread makes it hard to screw the pieces together but they are 'touching' in the sense of connectivity or continuity or one a them other polysyllabic waste of letters. If you can't screw them together then you need to pull the wire back a little or trim/snip off the problematic stragglers.

Here's another good read on this topic.

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=52417

I wish I had put these on long ago.
I'll also say that with the locking bananas you need to be careful not to push the wire in too far.
It expands the banana and you won't be able to insert it into the jack.
The story of my life.

 

[DJ in TX]

Excellent info. Thanks all

 

[j_garcia]

This is how mine are (Bluejeans locking):

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Your speaker is upside down...

We showing off wires?

This is how mine are (Bluejeans locking):

 

[Alex2507]

We showing off wires?

Is that a Dorito back there?

Pictures don't do those wires justice. They are way more impressive in real life.
Now I really want some cable pants.
I would have had them by now if there weren't so many size options.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

I don't know what that is back there. When I look back there I don't see anything, not even that black wire but it shows up when I take a picture.

Is that a Dorito back there?

 

[lsiberian]

Is that a Dorito back there?

This is Greg's setup not mine.

 

[dapack69]

Here's a better deal for banana plugs. I bought these and they are great.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000O8AHLA/ref=ox_ya_oh_product