Speaker jumper's

[agular]

Does anybody know where I can purchase speaker jumper plates? I just bought some used speakers without, and do not want to wire the rear speaker binding posts with wire.

 

[markw]

Might I inquire why?

... and do not want to wire the rear speaker binding posts with wire.

there's no acoustic penalty.

 

[terrmul]

Use cable jumper...

In fact using wire can be an improvement over jumper plates that may use zinc or other such metals that have a different propagation speed than your speaker cable producing a mismatch in sound, (albeit marginal). Use a good jumper cable instead, one that matches the characteristics of the speaker wire, and you could be on to a winner!

T

 

[jaxvon]

Whoa there. Different speed of propagation? Even at .66VOP, your signal is traveling so fast that you'd need a really, REALLY long cable to notice the difference. Besides, they aren't going to sound different. Unless you have some very poorly made plates that are highly resistive, you're not going to have a difference in the sound. But where to get them? I can't help you. BUT, I just wanted to clear up some cable BS going on here.

 

[Audioholics]

Yes, I'd say to replace the word "marginal" with nonexistent.

 

[terrmul]

I should have noted that this was NOT something I had picked up from personal tests but merely a reference from the following article at Audio Revolution:

http://www.audiorevolution.com/equip/cheapfixes/index.html

"Transparent Audio Biwire Adapters, $150 to $225 per set – Those cheap, stamped metal connectors that bridge the bi-wire terminals on the back of your speaker actually can cause some nasty sonic maladies. The reason is that many of the standard jumpers are made of nickel or zinc which have a different sonic characteristic because audio signals pass through that metal at a different speed with different characteristics than in your speaker cables. The result can be a needlessly bright or slurred sound. The fix is to toss the nasty little bi-wire jumpers you speakers come with for one of Transparent Audio’s badass jumpers. Their jumpers are beautifully made and match their sexy speaker cable in appearance and, more importantly, sound. If you removed even the slightest amount of annoying brightness from your speakers, it makes this accessory a worthy investment."

 

[terrmul]

....but this begs the question... if this is really not a big issue, if VOP effects etc. are so nonexistent then why not just use regular speaker cable????

 

[jaxvon]

Convenience, personal taste, etc. Perhaps the way the binding posts are situated, using cables would be a hassle and might be hazardous.

 

[markw]

"If"? Only an "If"?

"If you removed even the slightest amount of annoying brightness from your speakers, it makes this accessory a worthy investment."

That's a mighty big if there, podner. For what they are selling it for, it durn sure better be more than an "if". I'd expect "we guarantee"

That's weasel wording fer sure.

 

[sleepysurf]

Replacing jumpers with cable CAN make a difference

I have long embraced the Audioholic mindset that you needn't spend a fortune for boutique cables. In fact, I have been using Blue Jeans speaker cables and interconnects throughout my system. However a recent experience has convinced me that cables CAN make a difference, at least in some situations. I just replaced the stock metal jumper plates which came with my ML Summit speakers with cable jumpers (DH Labs Q-10), expecting little, if any improvement. I cranked up the music again and almost fell out of my chair! The improvement was utterly astonishing... tighter bass, more crystalline highs, and even improved imaging! It was like I had pulled wool blankets off the speakers. At least for this ML electrostatic design (with internal ice-powered woofers), the metal jumper plates were clearly inadequate. I still believe electrons are electrons, and most decent sized wire will do. However this experience has convinced me to be more open-minded about at least TRYING other wires (whether it be zip cord, Belden, or esoteric brands), and letting my ears guide me (donning flame suit!).

 

[j_garcia]

JUST USE WIRE. If your run to your speaker is wire, then using more of that wire or some of similar will be perfect. Most jumpers are gold plated brass, not nickel or zinc. I have swapped out the jumpers for regular wire on a variety of speakers and I have noticed a small difference with most, but that is simply because the included jumpers usually aren't very good. If you don't have jumpers, the logical and absolute simplest way to go is wire.