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Banana plug question

L

Lumper

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Feb 25, 2021
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Hi all, Sorry for the noob questions, cant help it, I'm a noob!!

So, I bought Klipsch speakers for my first ever home theater build.
BUT I also want to use Sewell Silverback Banana plugs.
They look larger than the binding post holes on my speakers to me.
I cant get confirmation from Klipsch or specs on these inside diameters.
The plugs specs are as follows:

  • Total Length: 1 3/4in (45mm)
  • Plug Length 0.75in (19.5mm)
  • Plug diameter: 0.13-0.18in (3.4-4.7mm)
  • Outside Diameter (sleeve): 0.4in (10.5mm)
  • Inside Diameter (sleve): 0.34in (8.5mm)
  • Sleeve lenght: 1in (25.5mm)
  • Outside Diameter (connector): 0.3in (7.7mm)
  • Inside Diameter (connector): 0.17in (4.4mm)
  • Connector depth 0.59in (15mm)
Now, I had just assumed that there was a standard for these, but apparently not.
I see on some spec pages they claim to have 4mm posts, then others say 4.4mm.

After researching I think they will fit, But I'm just not sure, I want to hear from someone who has actually plugged a 4.4 mm banana plug into a Klipsch R41-M bookshelf speaker to confirm for me if they will in fact fit.

Klipsch told me to check with Sewell, Sewell told me to check with Klipsch so that was fun but told me nothing.
I've heard people say yes they fit and others said they did not, uggg

then I watched several video's on them and I can see some are super snug they almost seemed like they weren't going to fit, but after enough pressure was used, they did in fact fit.

Can anyone tell me for sure, will these Sewell Silverback Banana plugs fit into the Klipsch R41-M bookshelf speakers binding posts when you remove the dust covers?
Id sure appreciate any information.
Thanks
 
Last edited:
5 way binding posts are industry standard, the insertion diameter is .155" or 4mm, and Klipsch didn't go off the reservation there.

Bottom line; those banana plugs should work just fine with your Klipsch.
 
HiFidFan said:
5 way binding posts are industry standard, the insertion diameter is .155" or 4mm, and Klipsch didn't go off the reservation there.

Bottom line; those banana plugs should work just fine with your Klipsch.
Click to expand...

Ok, Thanks,
I knew posting here I would get a direct answer.

when I saw the spec:
  • Plug diameter: 0.13-0.18in (3.4-4.7mm)
I was concerned about the 4.7mm and a 4mm socket on the speaker, that .7 will make it snug, even hard to insert but it will go?
Ive seen several videos where they had a heck of a time inserting the plug, this makes sense if these numbers are accurate.
My thinking is it will be just fine, but I was hearing conflicting things so I wanted to be sure.
Thanks very much
 
Lumper said:
Ok, Thanks,
I knew posting here I would get a direct answer.

when I saw the spec:
  • Plug diameter: 0.13-0.18in (3.4-4.7mm)
I was concerned about the 4.7mm and a 4mm socket on the speaker, that .7 will make it snug, even hard to insert but it will go?
Ive seen several videos where they had a heck of a time inserting the plug, this makes sense if these numbers are accurate.
My thinking is it will be just fine, but I was hearing conflicting things so I wanted to be sure.
Thanks very much
Click to expand...

Enjoy the new speakers :)
 
HiFidFan said:
Enjoy the new speakers :)
Click to expand...

Thanks again,
I know Klipsch arent great speakers in the grand scheme of things, But they allowed me to build an entry level system that we are going to enjoy immensely.
If not for Costco and Klispch I wouldn't have been able to do this at all.

We haven't had any home theater in 12 years and the last one we had was a Panasonic HTIB that I bought complete for 275.00 on eBay back in 2008 to go with a 60" Mitsubishi rear projection DLP HD tv that I still have, for us it was great just to have something more than the tv speakers, but we moved and had a house fire etc.. so we threw it away and never replaced it.
Only because of Covid, and Costco did we get this far now.
I cant wait to put it all together over the next few weeks as items come in and I save up for the misc stuff now, speaker wire, banana clips, coolers, etc..
 
If you like the sound of Klipsch Speakers, then they are in fact good and affordable choices for you. I like the Klipsch sound and I have owned many different types. I’m half deaf too, but I have always thought Klipsch offered a pretty good product for the money. This hobby/lifestyle whatever you want to call it. Is about pleasure of music and sound. If something makes you happy, who gives a horse shit what others may think.
 
The only advice I can give you regarding banana plugs is that they are not all created equal.
You will find a set that suits your needs. Cost isn't the determining factor for sound quality. Banana plugs and spade plugs are all there for ease of use. You will find a set that is both easy to use and sounds good while maintaining maximum contact area. Just because they are inexpensive, or expensive doesn't make them better. You will have to try several to hear the differences and you will hear them, especially with high sensitivity Klipsch speakers.

But most important is that you enjoy listening to what you have! Happy listening!
 
well, I mean, there's this kind

1619831070885.png


and this kind

1619831207232.png

EDIT and this kind

1619831351958.png


and this kind

1619831109324.png



IMO -- can't go wrong with Pomona bananas. :cool:
 
mhardy6647 said:
well, I mean, there's this kind

View attachment 127259

and this kind

View attachment 127261
EDIT and this kind

View attachment 127262

and this kind

View attachment 127260


IMO -- can't go wrong with Pomona bananas. :cool:
Click to expand...


I prefer the second one for thicker gauged wire and it's a better locking mechanism than the WBT and Furutech designs which spread the terminal. the last one is a very good style for maximum contact area though the quality varies so much by manufacturer, some of them have really jagged edges scratching the input terminals.

Either way, bananas are really good for you! make sure they're ripe though!
 
Chrispy said:
They don't always, tho.
Click to expand...

You are very correct! I recently came across a pair of older speakers which had a 5.8mm nearly 6mm binding post so you are correct, they are not all the same standard. Though it does seem that most of the more recent speakers do follow the approximately 4mm "rule"
 
While in my own purchases the bananas and terminals play together well enough, I've read many times of issues with variance in fit. Altho personally I do remember with one particular pair of terminals I expanded the prongs on the banana a bit for better contact/hold....
 
Chrispy said:
While in my own purchases the bananas and terminals play together well enough, I've read many times of issues with variance in fit. Altho personally I do remember with one particular pair of terminals I expanded the prongs on the banana a bit for better contact/hold....
Click to expand...

Yes, it's always a compromise for convenience when we decide to use any plug or socket to make removal, and reinstallation easier and less time consuming. It's just one of those things that we all give up a little bit for making our lives a little easier. I would love to have everything laser welded or another secure connection, but I will have to move equipment around at some point. So we need plugs. A necessary evil. We just have to find the part that works for our application. They are definitely not all created the same.
 
jokan said:
The only advice I can give you regarding banana plugs is that they are not all created equal.
You will find a set that suits your needs. Cost isn't the determining factor for sound quality. Banana plugs and spade plugs are all there for ease of use. You will find a set that is both easy to use and sounds good while maintaining maximum contact area. Just because they are inexpensive, or expensive doesn't make them better. You will have to try several to hear the differences and you will hear them, especially with high sensitivity Klipsch speakers.

But most important is that you enjoy listening to what you have! Happy listening!
Click to expand...
The only way banana plugs (well, any type of connection) can influence the sound is through the connection resistance. If the resistance is high enough to become audible it can be measured, there's no need for controlled listening tests.

I would go for plugs used in labs. If in doubt regarding usage as speaker connection dump bananas for good and use Neutrik Speakon connections. They are good for very high power PA amps speaker connection so more than adequate for home audio.
 
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