Banana plugs or spades for speaker connection

[josko]

If my power amp and speakers have equally reasonable-looking provisions for spade connectors or banana plugs, is one preferable over the other for any reason, assuming equal-quality gold-plated connectors for both?

 

[Adam]

Performance-wise, I don't believe that either one has an edge. It comes down to which you prefer - for looks, ease of connection, whatever. I prefer banana plugs. I like how I can plug the wires in without having to unscrew the binding posts. That's really handy when I'm working with connections on my receiver and/or amps that are behind my entertainment center.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Yep, either will work as well as or almost as well as bare wire. Bananas are the easiest if you connect and disconnect a lot. Spades can actaully come loose if you move the speaker and the weight of the wire turns the binding post.

 

[markw]

Sound wise, there's no difference.

Ultimately, banana plugs are much easier to connect and disconnect.

Spade lugs can possibly provide a more secure connection (if the items aren't moved) but some banana plugs are of the "locking" variety, so there goes that advantage.

But, since real estate on the back of a modern AVR is quite tight and simply inserting a spade lug correctly might be difficult, if not impossible.

FWIW, I use banana plugs all around.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

I also use Banana plugs. I went with the GLS "GENERATION II" locking ones but really dislike them. They are difficult to turn for locking or unlocking. I hear the ones from BJC are much better.

Here is a link to the GLS:
http://cgi.ebay.com/48-Locking-Banana-Speaker-Cable-Plugs-GLS-Audio-P-BL48_W0QQitemZ200306226080QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item200306226080&_trksid=p4634.c0.m14.l1262&_trkparms=|301:1|293:1|294:30

 

[MatthewB.]

Spades much like bare wire are limited to two contact points at the speaker connection, while banana plugs have a minimum of eight contact points, so I much prefer using bananas, but overall in sound quality, I don't think there is much of a difference.

 

[lsiberian]

Spades much like bare wire are limited to two contact points at the speaker connection, while banana plugs have a minimum of eight contact points, so I much prefer using bananas, but overall in sound quality, I don't think there is much of a difference.

yeah but when you change speakers like I do. It's sure makes the enjoyment time longer.

 

[bigcizzle90]

do you need to use connectors or is it ok to just hook bare wire up to the binding post?

 

[markw]

They work fine.

do you need to use connectors or is it ok to just hook bare wire up to the binding post?

Just make really, really sure that no loose strands touch another terminal. That can cause real problems.

 

[lsiberian]

do you need to use connectors or is it ok to just hook bare wire up to the binding post?

Bare wire is fine. I do suggest you tin it on the end if you want to use bare wire. This makes it's much easier to feed.

I use Monoprice screw type plugs. They are very nice IMO.