Belden Speaker Wire Connection

[Space2013]

I recently changed the layout our living room a bit and it required me to get new speaker wire as what I had was not long enough. I decided to pick up some Belden 5000UE from Blue Jeans Cable. The only issue I'm having is the cable is much thicker than I'm used to (12 AWG vs 16 AWG) and the strand count is much lower (I think close to 19 strands), so I'm having a hard time getting the raw cable to stay in the back of my Denon X2300. The cable is is a bit stiffer than what I used in the past so it pulls out no matter how hard I tighten the terminals. I didn't have this much issue in the past, but my old wire was a low gauge, high strand speaker wire that was really flexible, so I'm guessing it was more easily held by the terminals. Any recommendations? I could go with banana plugs but there is not much room behind the receiver. I've also never used banana plugs. I worry in the cramped space the banana plugs would touch each other and cause a short and I'm having trouble finding good banana plugs that don't have a conductive exterior.

 

[lovinthehd]

Banana plugs are easier to use in the back of an avr IME (beats trying to tighten the speaker terminals with just your fingers with the little room between terminals, too, altho I have resorted to using a little socket that fit well over the knobs to tighten when using bare wire ends). I've been using Sewell Silverbacks for several years on several avrs and touching hasn't been an issue, altho if cable is stiff and will tend to pull out from tension maybe a locking banana plug would be in order....

 

[markw]

Banana plugs are the perfect solution here. They won't degrade the sound.

These are pretty short, will handle that thick wire, and are insulated but, in any case, unless you kerfutz with wires while the unit is powered up you shouldn't have to worry bout shorts.

https://www.amazon.com/Sewell-Direct-SW-29863-12-Deadbolt-12-Pair/dp/B006U3O566/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=3S43BQCOUUUXT&keywords=sewell+banana+plugs&qid=1559426430&s=electronics&sprefix=sewall,aps,192&sr=1-1-spons&psc=1

 

[Space2013]

Banana plugs are the perfect solution here. They won't degrade the sound.

These are pretty short, will handle that thick wire, and are insulated but, in any case, unless you kerfutz with wires while the unit is powered up you shouldn't have to worry bout shorts.

View attachment 29702

https://www.amazon.com/Sewell-Direct-SW-29863-12-Deadbolt-12-Pair/dp/B006U3O566/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=3S43BQCOUUUXT&keywords=sewell+banana+plugs&qid=1559426430&s=electronics&sprefix=sewall,aps,192&sr=1-1-spons&psc=1

Thanks! Sounds like banana plugs are the solution. I like the idea of those short ones that are insulated, shorting them out has been my main concern stopping me from getting banana plugs. Will those Swell ones above work will with the stiff, lower strand Belden wire?

 

[lovinthehd]

I absolutely hate the crimp style banana plugs like the Deadbolt. What I started with and quit using fairly quickly. Silverback uses two set screws which is easier to deal with and IME more secure.

 

[BMXTRIX]

The Sewell Silverback style banana plugs are my favorite. It is important to note that despite their 'metal' look, the cover is actually plastic, so it won't short things out.

https://www.amazon.com/Sewell-Silverback-Banana-Speaker-Connector/dp/B0072KOHQ4

 

[Space2013]

Thanks. I actually got the some of the Deadbolt and some of the Silverback. Does it matter if I mix and match banana plugs? Could I use deadbolt behind my receiver and Silverback on my speakers? Or can I use a different plug for my front vs surround speakers (surrounds may need just raw wire or a side entry banana plug)? Or is it best to stick with one plug across the whole system?

 

[lovinthehd]

They're just banana plugs, doubt the wire cares.

 

[BMXTRIX]

You can mix and match banana plugs as you would like. Try them both out and give your feedback/opinion of them for others to read about. Occasionally banana plug topics come up and it is always good to hear from those who have tried multiple varieties. I've probably used half a dozen (or more) different banana plug styles.

 

[Space2013]

So tried both banana plugs and they work great in the speakers but they flex pretty easily in the back of the Denon receiver. So much that if there is any tension from the speaker cable it can cause one banana plug to easily touch the one next to it. Is that normal? I have a Denon X2300 and the terminals are screwed down right before I put in the banana plugs, but they still flex from side to side enough to touch each other. Am I missing something?

Also, the outer jackets of both plugs appear to be metal.

 

[lovinthehd]

So tried both banana plugs and they work great in the speakers but they flex pretty easily in the back of the Denon receiver. So much that if there is any tension from the speaker cable it can cause one banana plug to easily touch the one next to it. Is that normal? I have a Denon X2300 and the terminals are screwed down right before I put in the banana plugs, but they still flex from side to side enough to touch each other. Am I missing something?

Also, the outer jackets of both plugs appear to be metal.

Pic? Is it the nature of the wire you bought? Look carefully at the Silverback....it's got a threaded metal insert only.

 

[Space2013]

Here are pics. I show them sitting normally and then I apply only SLIGHT pressure to the sides and they touch. Note I'm not squeezing hard at all, it looks like it but it is hardly any pressure. The wires themselves exert easily enough force to cause the plugs to touch.

 

[lovinthehd]

Did you screw down the Denon's terminals fully? You might carefully tweak the prong (? right word, the part that inserts...) for more tension...

 

[Space2013]

Yep, they are fully screwed down.

 

[ryanosaur]

Seems like it should be simple to test for with a multimeter or a battery and bulb type set up. I've heard, as @BMXTRIX posted earlier, that those casings are insulators, not conductors.

Also... do you have slack on your wires? Not so much that you have to coil up your excess, but it seems like maybe you could benefit from that extra foot or so!

 

[Space2013]

I do have lots of slack, the Belden 5000UE is just not as flexible as I’m used too.

 

[Space2013]

Here are pics. I show them sitting normally and then I apply only SLIGHT pressure to the sides and they touch. Note I'm not squeezing hard at all, it looks like it but it is hardly any pressure. The wires themselves exert easily enough force to cause the plugs to touch.

View attachment 29751

View attachment 29752

View attachment 29753

View attachment 29754

Is it normal to have that much flex or am I missing something?

 

[ryanosaur]

Is it normal to have that much flex or am I missing something?

I did notice that a little on my Marantz... didn't strike me as being a concern. In fact, as I think back, I kinda think my old Onkyo HTIB did the same (but I didn't use plugs on those, just tinned wire screwed down tight).

 

[KenM10759]

I recall that the speaker binding posts on my older Denon AVR-1912 are similar, in that they're not very rigid. Those on my NAD T758v3 are much more solid.

Never had any issues with either one shorting out. The current for speakers is very low voltage and the current isn't very high until you're blasting at deafness levels.

 

[sven1olaf]

I was just thinking about the same thing when swelling out my Marantz AVR yesterday.

The old sr5007 and the new sr7013 both have very wobbly posts for banana plugs! Fully screwed in, tightened, re-tightened.

The plugs just are not very well captured by the AVR. It's less than confidence inspiring to wonder if, "when I push this guy back, I hope those plugs don't squish together...".

Anyway, just wanted to share my experience. Unfortunately similar.