Talk me out of this...

[rodrigo]

I'm getting ready to wall mount a pair of Sony bookshelf speakers as the rears in my (soon to be completed) theatre room. I'm using Sound King 12 awg for my speaker cables and banana plugs for all the terminations.

I just noticed (again) that the terminals on the back of my speakers are the spring loaded pressfit type. These are speakers I've had for some time, and I've always used 14 awg zip cord as the runs were much shorter.

Since I spent money on the 12 awg wire and banana plugs, and since these speakers have the cheapo spring clip terminals, I've been ruminating on the notion of swapping them out in favor of a banana-pluggable variety. I haven't yet built a set of speakers, but am a fairly accomplished woodworker... so the cutting & installing isn't too daunting a task.

This is my first dedicated theatre room, so I want everything about it to be cool. Since banana plugs are inherently cool, I want to use 'em everywhere I can... I have to live with these speakers at least a few more years. Is there a compelling reason NOT to swap out the terminals?

Thanks!
Greg

 

[Francious70]

Not really. If you feel you're competant enough to do it and have no worries of hurting the speakers, then go for it.

Paul

 

[nibhaz]

Why?

1. Binding post may stick out, perhaps preventing you from mounting them on wall as you plan.

2. If you wall mount, who will see that you are using banana plugs?

3. You’ll be spending money with little or no improvement (most likely) in SQ

 

[Dumar]

If the 12 gauge fits in the spring clips, I say just use them. Otherwise go for the bananas.

Question: how did bananas get to be "inherently cool"?

 

[rodrigo]

There is no rational explanation

Appreciate the input, all.

I can claim no rational basis for wanting to do this. I've been a bare-wire guy for years, but I'm not sure the 12 awg wire will even fit in the existing terminal openings -- but I haven't tried it yet so I could very well be wrong. I know there will be no change in sound quality, and that nobody will know (or care) that bananas are back there besides me... but it's one of those irrational things about which one makes up one's mind, and from which one does not want to waver in the face of pesky details. I have scads of tools. I have the know-how. I have a Parts-Express catalog. I can make this happen, man!

As for the inherent coolness of banana plugs... again, it's just one of those things. It's cool just because it is. Like when I get around to buying and restoring that '65 Eldorado convertible, I'm gonna paint it metallic green. It's cool just because...

Peace,
Greg

 

[Leprkon]

If the wire doesn't fit, you can always just use a pin, instead of tearing up your speaker to pull out the terminals.

http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog_name=CTLG&product_id=278-310

it might not be as completely/innately/illogically cool as banana plugs, but at least you'll be making a solid connection.

 

[Dumar]

As for the inherent coolness of banana plugs... again, it's just one of those things. It's cool just because it is.

If you want to go way beyond inherently cool and make awesomely cool cables, solder your wire to the bananas and make them where some pants.

 

[mtrycrafts]

Appreciate the input, all.

I can claim no rational basis for wanting to do this. I've been a bare-wire guy for years, but I'm not sure the 12 awg wire will even fit in the existing terminal openings -- but I haven't tried it yet so I could very well be wrong. I know there will be no change in sound quality, and that nobody will know (or care) that bananas are back there besides me... but it's one of those irrational things about which one makes up one's mind, and from which one does not want to waver in the face of pesky details. I have scads of tools. I have the know-how. I have a Parts-Express catalog. I can make this happen, man!

As for the inherent coolness of banana plugs... again, it's just one of those things. It's cool just because it is. Like when I get around to buying and restoring that '65 Eldorado convertible, I'm gonna paint it metallic green. It's cool just because...

Peace,
Greg

The pins are great as mentioned. Or, you can just cut some of the strands off and solder the remaining threads and insert, or, go for the cool look

 

[rgriffin25]

Appreciate the input, all.

I can claim no rational basis for wanting to do this. I've been a bare-wire guy for years, but I'm not sure the 12 awg wire will even fit in the existing terminal openings -- but I haven't tried it yet so I could very well be wrong. I know there will be no change in sound quality, and that nobody will know (or care) that bananas are back there besides me... but it's one of those irrational things about which one makes up one's mind, and from which one does not want to waver in the face of pesky details. I have scads of tools. I have the know-how. I have a Parts-Express catalog. I can make this happen, man!

As for the inherent coolness of banana plugs... again, it's just one of those things. It's cool just because it is. Like when I get around to buying and restoring that '65 Eldorado convertible, I'm gonna paint it metallic green. It's cool just because...

Peace,
Greg

You can do it! I think banana plugs are cool for one reason, they save a lot of time if you install stuff on a regular basis. Threading wire into binding posts while in a uncomfortable position can become somewhat annoying.

 

[Leprkon]

You can do it! I think banana plugs are cool.

Griff, are you sure that Rod is actually cool enough to have plugs ? I think maybe he needs to get some pins, then go through the initiation and a rookie year before we actually let him go all the way to plugs... for all we know, he's still wearing a pocket-protector....

 

[rodrigo]

A rookie year????

Aw, man! A rookie year? Do I HAVE to? I mean, I've been into this stuff ever since ProLogic and Super-VHS were state of the art!

 

[rgriffin25]

Aw, man! A rookie year? Do I HAVE to? I mean, I've been into this stuff ever since ProLogic and Super-VHS were state of the art!

I would say if you were around long enough for that stuff its time for a start in the big leagues!

Enjoy your plugs!

 

[mustang_steve]

Flex-pins are an option if you want to avoid cutting up the boxes.

or....floorstanders as rears! (yes, i had to bring a bad idea to the table )