Bananas and Spades

[Npeart]

Ok, so I have received my Paradigm 20's from my AudiogoN seller and they look awesome. A few newbie questions:

Can I attach banana and/or spades to both ends of the speaker wire and input them into both the receiver AND the speaker inputs? Or does one end have to be bananas (speakers) and the other end spades (receiver?)

Can I purchase these already assembled, or do I need to attach them to speaker wire myself?

Why are there two sets of inputs on the back of the speakers? I assume for bi-amping?

Sorry for these rookie questions, but I want to get it right.

Thanks.

 

[lsiberian]

Ok, so I have received my Paradigm 20's from my AudiogoN seller and they look awesome. A few newbie questions:

Can I attach banana and/or spades to both ends of the speaker wire and input them into both the receiver AND the speaker inputs? Or does one end have to be bananas (speakers) and the other end spades (receiver?)

Can I purchase these already assembled, or do I need to attach them to speaker wire myself?

Why are there two sets of inputs on the back of the speakers? I assume for bi-amping?

Sorry for these rookie questions, but I want to get it right.

Thanks.

You would need to look at the connector to know if you can use Bananas. Usually a receiver will take them. Though Euro versions don't Since the plug outlet matches the connectors very well.

Speakers don't always have a spot for them. I wouldn't use Spades though. I only worry on the receiver end since I've got 14 cables coming out the back. I just use bare wire for the speaker end.

if you link a pic of the receiver back and the speaker back I can tell you straight away.

 

[Adam]

Hi. You never have to apologize for questions around here! Here are some answers to your questions:

Can I attach banana and/or spades to both ends of the speaker wire and input them into both the receiver AND the speaker inputs? Or does one end have to be bananas (speakers) and the other end spades (receiver?)

That depends on what type of speaker terminals your receiver has. You just want to make sure that the speaker terminals accept banana plugs. If you have five-way binding posts, then you can use either banana plugs or spades on either end (mix or match, it's up to you). Banana plugs and spades are for convenience, so use whichever makes your life easier. You can also just use bare wire.

Can I purchase these already assembled, or do I need to attach them to speaker wire myself?

Several places offer cables that come with banana plugs or spades. It's really easy to put those on, though. My banana plugs are from Radio Shack and just screw on to the bare wire ends.

Why are there two sets of inputs on the back of the speakers? I assume for bi-amping?

Yep, that's correct. If they have either metal bands or wires connecting the sets together, then you can just connect one set of speaker wires to either set of terminals to power the speaker.

 

[Npeart]

No receiver yet! Bought the mains first. The Paradigm 20's terminals unscrew ( I assume for the spades to slide under) and there is a hole in each terminal (I assume for bananas.) I do not see a way to get raw wire in there?

 

[Matt34]

 

[Adam]

I do not see a way to get raw wire in there?

I'll try to look up some photos on those, but try this. Unscrew one of the terminals a bit further and see if there is a hole in the metal post. That's how most of them are built (everyone that I've ever seen, actually). For bare wire, you just unscrew it a bit more, put the wire into that hole, then screw the outer ring down to tighten it on the wire.

 

[Adam]

Here's an example of what that hole that I mentioned would look like.

 

[Npeart]

That was great! I agree with him - convenience is the way to go! That is very simple and basic. When I get my receiver that is how I will terminate the speakers.

Any suggestions on speaker wire size/gauge? This is an apartment set up and the wires will not need to be longer than 4 feet to reach the mains.

 

[lsiberian]

That was great! I agree with him - convenience is the way to go! That is very simple and basic. When I get my receiver that is how I will terminate the speakers.

Any suggestions on speaker wire size/gauge? This is an apartment set up and the wires will not need to be longer than 4 feet to reach the mains.

I just use standard 16 gauge wire from home depot. Remember you will need to consider the rise and fall of the wire when cutting lengths. I always give myself some slack.

For 4 feet you could probably go even smaller, but 16 gauge is super cheap anyway. Your speakers may not take bananas so remember to look.

 

[Npeart]

Here's an example of what that hole that I mentioned would look like.

Yes, I see that when I unscrew it. I get it now. So if I were to raw wire it, I'd just slide the raw wire through the hole and tighten, right?

I think I just want to buy some double ended, ready-made banana plug cables, but at least I know there are 3 different way to do it - raw, spade and banana.

 

[Npeart]

I just use standard 16 gauge wire from home depot. Remember you will need to consider the rise and fall of the wire when cutting lengths. I always give myself some slack.

For 4 feet you could probably go even smaller, but 16 gauge is super cheap anyway. Your speakers may not take bananas so remember to look.

Paradigm 20's definitely DO take bananas. I know this because when I tested them at my local audio shop, the guy hooked them up with cables that had bananas on the ends.

Good looking out, though

 

[Adam]

If those are the Studio 20s, then they have five-way binding posts and will take any of the connections that we've discussed. If they are the Studio 20s, those are some nice looking speakers that you got!

 

[Adam]

So if I were to raw wire it, I'd just slide the raw wire through the hole and tighten, right?

Yep, that's right.

 

[Npeart]

If those are the Studio 20s, then they have five-way binding posts and will take any of the connections that we've discussed. If they are the Studio 20s, those are some nice looking speakers that you got!

Yes, Studio 20's, v.4. I got them from a seller off audiogoN for $635.00. They are in pristine condition - not a scratch on them.

My only lament is Paradigm suggests keeping the grilles on during listening. Sadly, they look ten times better without the grilles on

 

[Adam]

My only lament is Paradigm suggests keeping the grilles on during listening. Sadly, they look ten times better without the grilles on

One of the beautiful things about owning those is that you can take those grilles off if you want. For me, enjoyment is about the total package. If you enjoy them overall better with the grills off, then take them off. You can even listen to music (once you get a receiver) with the grilles on and with them off and then decide for yourself if you can tell any sonic difference.

 

[Npeart]

One of the beautiful things about owning those is that you can take those grilles off if you want. For me, enjoyment is about the total package. If you enjoy them overall better with the grills off, then take them off. You can even listen to music (once you get a receiver) with the grilles on and with them off and then decide for yourself if you can tell any sonic difference.

Yeah, that was my plan to listen with the grilles on AND off and see if I can notice a difference.

The same guy I bought the 20's from now has the J-29 stands for them for sale on audiogoN. Of course, I won't be able to afford them until next month and someone will probably buy them before me

 

[Adam]

The same guy I bought the 20's from now has the J-29 stands for them for sale on audiogoN. Of course, I won't be able to afford them until next month and someone will probably buy them before me

I'd say talk to the guy about it. You already bought the speakers from him. Maybe he'll be willing to hold those stands for you.

 

[Npeart]

I'd say talk to the guy about it. You already bought the speakers from him. Maybe he'll be willing to hold those stands for you.

I'm one step ahead of you, LOL! He's been contacted.

 

[lsiberian]

One of the beautiful things about owning those is that you can take those grilles off if you want. For me, enjoyment is about the total package. If you enjoy them overall better with the grills off, then take them off. You can even listen to music (once you get a receiver) with the grilles on and with them off and then decide for yourself if you can tell any sonic difference.

I noticed you have a new sig pic. That dog is just awesome. Great coat.

 

[engtaz]

The problem with Spade connectors are that you need to get the right spacing between spades. They can be to wide or too narrow. Get the wrong ones and your connections are bad.