Banana Connectors YES or NO?

[cpp]

I use both, it all depends on how much room you have if you want to use spades;. Never heard any sound degradation between both.

 

[Alex2507]

The answer is C. Maybe. If you got the kind of ching it takes to roll with the banana lovers, why not? YOLO.

 

[MrBoat]

I like banana plugs but many times I am lazy about buying them or anxious to proceed without them.

I know I have a bulk package around here somewhere. . . .

Last time, I had the pigtails coming out of the rear ports and just twisted together there staggered with a dab of masking tape around it and used it like that for 5 months and it's a good thing I didn't have wire nuts handy or it'd still be like that.

 

[Kenco278]

If you're in an EU country, banana plugs are prohibited. Twin banana plug spacing of 3/4 inch is close to the 19mm spacing of the European 220V power outlet, so it's simple to insert the twin banana plug into the power socket!! It sounds funny until you electrocute yourself. To put it another way, imagine a new speaker connector is invented that looks just like a North American power cable plug and can fit into a wall socket.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Yeah, the big disadvantages include possible LOOSE connection and Cost.

So if you get Banana plugs, better get ones that fit well or get LOCKING banana plugs.

I think Blue Jeans Cable Locking Bananas are the best, but they cost $7.25 per pair of banana plug + shipping.

I use the GLS locking bananas ($3.60 per pair) from Amazon, but your wires better be 10 AWG or they will be too loose.

 

[snakeeyes]

Banana plugs are great for the receiver side if you change out your receiver. They are less convenient on the speaker side though.

 

[Phase 2]

I'm in the nude camp, no bananas for me.

 

[GrimSurfer]

imagine a new speaker connector is invented that looks just like a North American power cable plug and can fit into a wall socket.

If it was introduced in the high-end cable market, many of our problems would be solved.

 

[davidscott]

I use bananas on both pairs of my speakers. Love the convenience as long as they fit well and the cable doesn't work loose. 1 pair is a setscrew the other some sort of cold welded. No issues so far. I used to used bare cable but would lose strands every time I would move or adjust my speakers. Never had any spade connectors but I would assume they have the same issues as bananas with the cable working loose.

 

[Mark of Cenla]

I like them and use them whenever possible. Peace and goodwill.

 

[BMXTRIX]

The very first response to this thread remains the best (IMO) - The Sewell Silverback plugs offer two set screws and can handle speaker wire beyond 12 gauge just fine in my experience. These are similar to the plugs Rotel used to ship with their amps and I fell in love with them then. Now, with easy Internet access, you can pick them up in a number of places.

https://sewelldirect.com/sewell-silverback-banana-plugs-dual-screw-lock-6-pair

That's 6 pairs for $16. So, under $3 a pair.

Never have I had an issue with them not fitting securely or pulling out by mistake. Their springs are very firm, but not so firm as to damage the binding post. It's just an ideal solution. I have about forty of them in use in my system and have never had an issue.

Advantages: No wires sticking out to short anything out. Convenient to remove from amplifier/wall/speaker. Looks nicer (?), Backs are plastic, makes it easy to grab.

Disadvantages: Additional cost. Takes time and the proper tools to install them. (wire strippers, tiny screwdriver). Poorly built ones could pull out or have to much tension.

 

[GrimSurfer]

I really like the look of those! The double set screws appeal to my inner OCD/Love of over-engineering.

I'd probably put some heat shrink tubing over the metal covers to insulate them... not that I ever unplug energized gear. It's that OCD/Love of over-engineering thing coming out...

 

[BMXTRIX]

I'd probably put some heat shrink tubing over the metal covers to insulate them... not that I ever unplug energized gear. It's that OCD/Love of over-engineering thing coming out...

The 'metal' covers are actually just plastic. They are a 'metal looking' plastic cover on those connectors, so while you get a slick look from them, they are completely covered and safe from shorts! The old ones I had from Rotel were just red and black plastic covers. I love the look of the 'metal' plastic covers which are actually in use now.

How does that suit you?

 

[GrimSurfer]

The 'metal' covers are actually just plastic. They are a 'metal looking' plastic cover on those connectors, so while you get a slick look from them, they are completely covered and safe from shorts! The old ones I had from Rotel were just red and black plastic covers. I love the look of the 'metal' plastic covers which are actually in use now.

How does that suit you?

Perfect!

 

[Swerd]

Someone I know ordered a batch of heavy duty gold plated banana jacks from China for building audio amps. His package recently arrived. It had been opened and inspected by…
the US Customs and Border Protection – Agriculture Division. Fortunately, it passed.

 

[Hartley]

The only advantage is convenience. If they're going to be connected and disconnected over and over again, they're easier for that. But the physics works against them. Locking ones are better, as mentioned upthread, but spades make for a more secure connection.

 

[nbk13nw]

The only advantage is convenience. If they're going to be connected and disconnected over and over again, they're easier for that. But the physics works against them. Locking ones are better, as mentioned upthread, but spades make for a more secure connection.

I agree with using spades for long term durability. I was using banana connectors, the same mentioned a few posts back, out of 16 used, 12 broke. During that time I was repositioning the subs and mains placement in the room. Spades have proven to be much more robust and less apt to break.

 

[KenM10759]

I've had spade connectors come loose on the typical 5-way binding post. I've had Monoprice banana plugs get loose, either by the tip unscrewing or by just losing any tension in the hole.

The locking banana plugs from Blue Jeans Cable have never loosened, broken, nor come apart.