cables question

[mouettus]

I keep hearing about banana plugs and such terminated wires.

Am I the only one using bare wire on my speaker's binding posts? Am I missing something or what?

 

[Hi Ho]

Banana plugs are mainly a convenience. I used banana plugs on the receiver end of my speaker wire because it is much easier to plug in than bare wire. I didn't bother on the speaker end. I didn't pay much for them either. I got some NXG brand plugs from work. Five pairs for $10. They're gold plated and provide a very secure connection. Monoprice has similar ones.

 

[mouettus]

Banana plugs are mainly a convenience. I used banana plugs on the receiver end of my speaker wire because it is much easier to plug in than bare wire. I didn't bother on the speaker end. I didn't pay much for them either. I got some NXG brand plugs from work. Five pairs for $10. They're gold plated and provide a very secure connection. Monoprice has similar ones.

convenience and pro look only?! all right... I'll take 2 and a half more minutes and connect them straight thru. also, my cables are simple home depot cables and they have done their job wonderfully by the way. I'd like to have some from bluejeans or monoprice but it's the hassle of shipping to canada. Thanks for your answer.

 

[skizzerflake]

Wires and binding posts are fine as long as you're careful to make a good connection. Clean wire, clean binding posts, tight connections and no stray strands of wire to short out are the main things. Do that and it will work just fine.

 

[mtrycrafts]

... also, my cables are simple home depot cables and they have done their job wonderfully by the way. I'd like to have some from bluejeans or monoprice but it's the hassle of shipping to canada. Thanks for your answer.

No need to get those cables unless you need more. The ones you have are fine.

 

[mouettus]

No need to get those cables unless you need more. The ones you have are fine.

Yeah but in a couple of days/week, I'll be firing the whole Reference Conoisseur line from Energy with an HTR-6190 (RX-V1800 equivalent)... They say good components need good cables... :S

 

[jonnythan]

I keep hearing about banana plugs and such terminated wires.

Am I the only one using bare wire on my speaker's binding posts? Am I missing something or what?

I don't use em, just cause I'm cheap.

They would come in super handy, especially at the back of the receiver, but you're not alone.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Yeah but in a couple of days/week, I'll be firing the whole Reference Conoisseur line from Energy with an HTR-6190 (RX-V1800 equivalent)... They say good components need good cables... :S

Wire is pretty much wire unless you are going for a certain look and as long as it is big enough. I use Home depot wire for all the wires in my walls and ceiling. I use some cool looking 10awg with nice banana plugs for my mains because you can see it and I am all about the "cool" factor...

 

[mtrycrafts]

They say good components need good cables... :S

They who? The salesmen? Cable companies?
The type of cable you have are already good cables. More expensive cables will be just that, unless you have a display cabinet for them and a spotlight

 

[rnatalli]

The wires you have is probably fine assuming it's a decent gauge. I personally use banana plugs just to make things easier, no other reason.

 

[j_garcia]

I've had a few come loose, so I now use locking bananas and I am not looking back. Do they make a difference in sound? Other than not falling out, no.

 

[Seth=L]

I have gotten a few sets of banana plugs over the the last few years whenever I saw them for cheap or just got them as a deal. I bought my first 8 banana plugs for $2 and my next 8 came with the Teac CR-H220. So I have spent (in my own view) less than $5 on banana plugs in my entire life.

 

[mouettus]

Speakers have been sitting there for 2 years now. I just checked: no loose connections. I must be doing fine then! Thanks for your comments guys