Speaker wire??

[Jwheel]

Well, I should have done some more searching here before going out and buying monster cable speaker wire. That stuff is expensive. I bought a 100 ft. spool of 16 AWG for $50.00. I do have a question though. I have a 40ft. and a 30 ft. cable of this wire going to my surrounds. Would I notice an audible difference if I were to use 14 or 12 AWG? The surround speakers are Definitive BP2X's with Banana plugs as end terminals. Any advice would be much appreciated!!

Jeff

 

[JohnA]

Well, I should have done some more searching here before going out and buying monster cable speaker wire. That stuff is expensive. I bought a 100 ft. spool of 16 AWG for $50.00. I do have a question though. I have a 40ft. and a 30 ft. cable of this wire going to my surrounds. Would I notice an audible difference if I were to use 14 or 12 AWG? The surround speakers are Definitive BP2X's with Banana plugs as end terminals. Any advice would be much appreciated!!

Jeff

You won't hear a difference. and for the banana plugs just use these if you don't have some already:

http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=091-1260

 

[BMXTRIX]

Monster is as expensive as the store you buy it from. I got my Monster speaker wire on eBay for about 1/5th what you paid for your stuff. Stores gouge you for sure when you buy off the floor.

Easily the best banana plugs I have ever used came with my Rotel amplifier as it includes a plastic shield and two recessed screws to hold the wire in place. The speaker wire is completely covered and can't be pulled out of the banana plug. Also, the plug doesn't leave exposed metal/wire that could lead to a short.

Here's a pic of them, but I have a really hard time finding them in the states... and I don't need any more than I already have.

 

[JohnA]

Something like this?

Monster is as expensive as the store you buy it from. I got my Monster speaker wire on eBay for about 1/5th what you paid for your stuff. Stores gouge you for sure when you buy off the floor.

Easily the best banana plugs I have ever used came with my Rotel amplifier as it includes a plastic shield and two recessed screws to hold the wire in place. The speaker wire is completely covered and can't be pulled out of the banana plug. Also, the plug doesn't leave exposed metal/wire that could lead to a short.

Here's a pic of them, but I have a really hard time finding them in the states... and I don't need any more than I already have.

Kinda like this, the only "problem" is that they are not gold plated

http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/pshowdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=090-460

http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=090-465

 

[BMXTRIX]

Not gold plated, the screws go through the plastic instead of being completely covered by a plastic shield, and only a single screw which reduces contact area and makes it easier for the wire to pull out.

I spent about two days researching banana plugs for custom install before picking the ones pictured. I know they are out there, but about $2.50 each or so.

Wait - Just found a link to some - $2.99 for a pack of four (1 pair of speakers)

http://www.cablestogo.com/product.asp?cat_id=412&sku=29785

 

[JohnA]

How about this

http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/pshowdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=093-530

 

[BMXTRIX]

http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/pshowdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=093-530

That's a pretty sick little banana plug!

When I was looking I wanted something that was high quality, of good price, and quick and easy to use.

Like the plug you listed is awesome, but leaves a lot of metal showing which could result in a short if a wire mishap occurs. I don't know how many times I have heard of amps needing to be pulled because a tech pulls a wire and it hits other speaker terminals by mistake.

 

[JohnA]

I don't know how many times I have heard of amps needing to be pulled because a tech pulls a wire and it hits other speaker terminals by mistake.

That is why they should use one of these:

http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/pshowdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=093-540

It is fully insulated!

 

[BMXTRIX]

...and such a bargain!