Always check your connections.

[SoCal626]

Okay folks.
This is a friendly tip for all users!.
I watching a movie this weekend transformers 1 and yes i know terrible movie but i was bored. I notice the sound was all distorted,so i stop the movie to check all my connections even hdmi cables. They were all plug in right? will sort of,so i hit play and the sound was still distorted and so i yelled will you probably know what words i said i was frustrated. Any how,i stop the movie again this time i check the actual speaker connections on the back of the speakers and guess what? they were loose and were not tide down tight!. I then twist the speaker connections on all speakers even the side surrounds and once again turning up the volume and hitting play distortion sound went away what you know loose connection. So remember if you think your speakers got blown just make sure your speaker wires are tight and screwed down. But how do they come loose? when i haven't touch them since i install the speakers? i guess the vibration can do it?. But any how thought this was a nice tip to share.

 

[markw]

Good tip.

Just one thing to add to it. Whenever kerfutzing with connections, particularly speaker wires, make sure the power is turned off. All it takes is one little slip fpr a fraction of a second and if you've got a short, you may be out a working amp.

Turning the power off when messing around with connectors is cheap insurance.

 

[FirstReflection]

All too true. I feel bad for the customer service people. Has ANYONE ever reacted kindly when they ask you to double check all of your connections and cycle power before trying anything else?

 

[agarwalro]

I don't get it. Folks spend several hundreds in speakers, electronics and cables. Yet, twisting bare conductors onto the binding post is considered proper speaker wire termination. Defies all logic considering the cost of banana plus or spade type terminators.

***rant over***

SoCal626, please invest the time and money to properly terminate those speaker wires.

 

[SoCal626]

hehe,yes before i checked the loose connections i made sure every thing one was turn off but good tip!. I was really thinking of buying bana plugs maybe this week.

 

[Adam]

Thanks for the reminder (and good tips from everyone)!

At least back when I used to check, Monoprice would put their banana plugs on sale for $1/pair fairly often. I use their closed screw version on some connections. Not bad - not awesome, but great for $1.

 

[lsiberian]

Just one thing to add to it. Whenever kerfutzing with connections, particularly speaker wires, make sure the power is turned off. All it takes is one little slip fpr a fraction of a second and if you've got a short, you may be out a working amp.

Turning the power off when messing around with connectors is cheap insurance.

So it's not a good idea to wet your feet and hands and become the new speakers.

 

[Rickster71]

It's not so much the need for banana plugs as it is the need for a professionally made connection.
Copper is soft and the connections need to be re-torqued. It's done in electrical panels all the time.
You'll still need to re-tighten the set screw in banana plugs.

 

[BMXTRIX]

These are the banana plugs I use and strongly recommend. They use two screws internally to create an incredibly strong lock with the wire, which also will be a better electrical connection. The plastic shell protects the wire from shorts and helps just in case something metal drops across the back of the speaker at some point. The colors are clear enough as well so you know exactly which one you are plugging in (red/black).

20 Nakamichi Gold Plate Audio Banana Speaker Plug | eBay

Oh, and 10 pairs for 10 bucks will handle the 5 speakers in a 5.1 setup on one end. Spend another 10 bucks to get the other end taken care of.

 

[markw]

So it's not a good idea to wet your feet and hands and become the new speakers.

No, but it's perfectly acceptable when replacing power cords. The additional heat and light are appreciated this time of year, and that snap, crackle and pop sound reminds us of one of our favorite breakfast cereals.

 

[Adam]

Darn you, Mark. Now I'm hungry.

 

[zildjian]

I'm a big fan of the set screw lockable banana plugs from bluejeanscable.com. $5.25 per pair is a deal for such a high quality connector. If you don't like them, mail them to me!!!

There are two set screws inside of each, and the plug can be locked into place into the back of the speaker. I still check mine once a year probably, but I've never had one come loose, and I've used them for several years now.

Link to their speaker cable and banana plug page here.