Speaker cable connector advice

[snowpix]

I searched the site, but I couldn't find an answer to my question.

Do I need to use wire connectors for the speaker-to-amplifier cables, or is a direct wire connection fine?

If it's better to use connectors, I was thinking that Y spade might be the better option. However, I've noticed that almost everyone who uses connectors seems to use banana plugs.

Could you please advise me on which option is recommended?
Thank you!

 

[egellings]

A dual 3/4" spacing banana jack made by WBT (they're pricey but worth it.) has all metal screw nuts that can be completely removed from the connector. They are not held captive to the connector body as those on other banana jacks are. That allowed me to use a crimp on (or solder on, whichever) spade lug that is basically a round washer (no opening) with a solder lug on it. This get attached to the speaker wire. I remove the connector nut, slip the lug over the post, and then reattach the nut, tightening it with just finger pressure. That provides a very good, secure connection.

 

[Redacted]

Wires through holes or banana plugs are both fine. It's only a matter of convenience, if say you need to move a speaker to clean behind it (or hide 8 tons of cabling like Ropeburn does). Plenty of fine banana plugs on Amazon et al for a couple of quid. As said, those with screws that tighten onto the wire are sensible.

 

[Ruediger]

Do I need to use wire connectors for the speaker-to-amplifier cables, or is a direct wire connection fine?

If it's better to use connectors, I was thinking that Y spade might be the better option. However, I've noticed that almost everyone who uses connectors seems to use banana plugs.

Could you please advise me on which option is recommended?

Wire directly to the binding post is fine - when done right.

Every added connector + isolation makes sure there will be no lose strings possibly messing things up. Bananas are there for ease of use and comfort.

I recommend chosing bananas and proper cable ends for the speaker cable. This mustn't be very expensive, <10 € per speaker.

 

[Timcognito]

Wire in the hole plastic over screw nut fine. spade is fine, bananas make it easy to put in /take out. All will give the same audio response if tight. Gold coating stops corrosion.

 

[Redacted]

With banana plugs, once a year you can tweak or rotate them slightly in case the so-called gold (1 atom deep!) in the plug and socket you thought wouldn't corrode, does corrode. Same with RCA plugs & sockets.

 

[kyuu]

Regardless of whether you're doing a bare wire termination or bananas (I wouldn't bother with spades, they actually have higher contact resistance than bananas I believe), I recommend the use of ferrules.

 

[Ruediger]

Ferrules are good. Also these go on cable ends and then into connectors.

Lyndahl Ferrules for Speaker Cable Connections/10 Stück: Amazon.de: Electronics & Photo

Lyndahl Ferrules for Speaker Cable Connections/10 Stück: Amazon.de: Electronics & Photo

www.amazon.de

Edit: I see they fall under ferrules too.

 

[Alan O]

1 atom deep!

I don't think it's quite that bad - a few tens to a few hundred atoms for the cheapest gold platings, up to a few thousand atoms for better ones, going by what I can find from searching. Atoms are so tiny, even a thousand of them is still extremely thin - even gold ones.

 

[Redacted]

I don't think it's quite that bad - a few tens to a few hundred atoms for the cheapest gold platings, up to a few thousand atoms for better ones, going by what I can find from searching. Atoms are so tiny, even a thousand of them is still extremely thin - even gold ones.

It's mostly about looking like gold for the punters though...
Not worth worrying about.