Thoughts on what speaker cable to buy? Bananas plugs or not...?

[MrOneEyedBoh]

Preface: Im just an average Joe...

I have a Technics Se-A70 / SU-A80 vintage system that I recently had gone through and upgraded to 5 way binding posts. Im looking at getting some new cables/wire too. I was looking around and came across the Micca brand from Amazon, which is 14ga 6.6ft or 13ft. I would only need 6.6ft but I guess having the extra length is good for just in case, which would be the 13ft.

I was also thinking about DIY'ing the cable and using 4S11G since that ends up being about $60 for both cables, which would end up being double or less than the Micca cable. I did up some interconnects using W2964 which came out good.

I know I wont be able to hear a sound difference but is the Canare cable going to be better in terms of longevity?

What about banana plugs? Easiest and quiet frequently recommended is the Deadbolt style, but to me soldered like the Micca would be superior?

Im not one to change my speakers, so Im not getting the convenience in terms of that aspect with banana plugs. It would be more-so for ease of use and keeping the stray strands from falling off. But with that said I could run bare wire and just tin the ends, right? I feel like un-tinned ends get a better bite/grip into the binding posts, but what do I know...

Whats your guys overall thoughts, if you dont mind?

 

[Chrispy]

Just keep it simple, don't overthink it. Buy an appropriate custom length of 12g or 14g lamp cord at the hardware/home improvement store (just watch that it isn't CCA, regular ETF copper is just fine vs OFC, too). Dress it in tech-flex stuff if you want prettier. I prefer bananas with set screws, the Sewell Silverbacks (several other brands use same plug, too) are what I generally use, but bare/tinned ends work just fine, too. If you're not changing setup constantly, I wouldn't even begin to worry about longevity.

 

[fpitas]

If you find a 12 or 14 gauge power cord on sale, a lot of people use that. Just cut off the ends...

 

[MrOneEyedBoh]

If you find a 12 or 14 gauge power cord on sale, a lot of people use that. Just cut off the ends...

Are those always typically pure copper and not CCA?

 

[JeffS7444]

The original SE-A70 speaker connectors appear to be designed for bare wire, not banana plugs. If the new speaker wires are too thick, I'd terminate them with a short piece of smaller gauge wire as needed.

 

[MrOneEyedBoh]

The original SE-A70 speaker connectors appear to be designed for bare wire, not banana plugs. If the new speaker wires are too thick, I'd terminate them with a short piece of smaller gauge wire as needed.

I should've said, I upgraded the binding posts to 5 way.

 

[Cote Dazur]

Im looking at getting some new cables/wire too

Why, what is wrong with your present wire? What are you hoping to achieve with new wire?

 

[MrOneEyedBoh]

Why, what is wrong with your present wire? What are you hoping to achieve with new wire?

Its old, CCA and well to be honest, also looking to just upgrade the system across the board.

 

[Redacted]

Any cable, not too thin, will be fine. Eg KabelDirekt on Amazon.
Cut it to length, fit with screw-on banana plugs from Amazon, and you're done.
Other suppliers are available.
If you spend more than £40 all-up, you're over-thinking it, and will need you to send me £1000 of "I saw you coming" tax.

 

[MrOneEyedBoh]

Any cable, not too thin, will be fine. Eg KabelDirekt on Amazon.
Cut it to length, fit with screw-on banana plugs from Amazon, and you're done.
Other suppliers are available.
If you spend more than £40 all-up, you're over-thinking it, and will need you to send me £1000 of "I saw you coming" tax.

lol!

 

[Chrispy]

Its old, CCA and well to be honest, also looking to just upgrade the system across the board.

Then again if its holding up well, just generally you use 3g lower with CCA vs copper for similar results. Wire is wire generally, tho and not something that is "upgraded", just needs to be sufficient. CCA is said to be more fragile, tho. Wire table just for reference as to gauge/length http://www.roger-russell.com/wire.htm

 

[fpitas]

Are those always typically pure copper and not CCA?

Depends. But typically, it will be labeled.

 

[Cote Dazur]

Its old, CCA and well to be honest, also looking to just upgrade the system across the board.

As long as you realize that it will make no change to what you hear, also, speaker wire have so little to do carrying so little current to speaker that they can easily outlast most of us.
The only part that need attention is where they connect and how, clean contact is a good idea. Banana plug are practical if you change speaker often, if not they are pretty much useless. That said I have them myself, they look the part for very little money.

 

[MrOneEyedBoh]

As long as you realize that it will make no change to what you hear, also, speaker wire have so little to do carrying so little current to speaker that they can easily outlast most of us.
The only part that need attention is where they connect and how, clean contact is a good idea. Banana plug are practical if you change speaker often, if not they are pretty much useless. That said I have them myself, they look the part for very little money.

Thats what I was thinking. I just didnt know that if I use something like the 4s11g, would that hold up better cable/copper wise versus something like the Micca speaker wire from Amazon. Granted that comes with soldered banana plugs on it, I dont really need it since I wont be changing speakers all that much. But I guess like you said, if they dont hinder the connection any - then why not? It'll only make it easier if and when I change speakers.

 

[BillH]

For what it’s worth, after soldering banana plugs onto my cables I decided the bare wire made better contact so I cut the banana plugs off.
Both actions were probably a giant waste of time.

 

[MrOneEyedBoh]

For what it’s worth, after soldering banana plugs onto my cables I decided the bare wire made better contact so I cut the banana plugs off.
Both actions were probably a giant waste of time.

This is why I came here lol. I can make instances for both ways in my head, but I dont know whats right/good. smh lol

 

[Proud Audiophile]

Preface: Im just an average Joe...

I have a Technics Se-A70 / SU-A80 vintage system that I recently had gone through and upgraded to 5 way binding posts. Im looking at getting some new cables/wire too. I was looking around and came across the Micca brand from Amazon, which is 14ga 6.6ft or 13ft. I would only need 6.6ft but I guess having the extra length is good for just in case, which would be the 13ft.

I was also thinking about DIY'ing the cable and using 4S11G since that ends up being about $60 for both cables, which would end up being double or less than the Micca cable. I did up some interconnects using W2964 which came out good.

I know I wont be able to hear a sound difference but is the Canare cable going to be better in terms of longevity?

What about banana plugs? Easiest and quiet frequently recommended is the Deadbolt style, but to me soldered like the Micca would be superior?

Im not one to change my speakers, so Im not getting the convenience in terms of that aspect with banana plugs. It would be more-so for ease of use and keeping the stray strands from falling off. But with that said I could run bare wire and just tin the ends, right? I feel like un-tinned ends get a better bite/grip into the binding posts, but what do I know...

Whats your guys overall thoughts, if you dont mind?

No, go ahead and overthink it. You want good speaker cables. You want to have some fun. At that length you can do whatever you want for well under $100.00. I made my cables from Mogami 3103. It's oxygen free copper, super fine stranded, 1/2 diameter, very robust and very flexible. I converted my speakers to SpeakON connectors and added SpeakON plugs to the cables. They feel really good when you plug them in and they lock. They are rated for like 30 amps and very confidence inspiring. I use bare wire on the amp end and dressed it out a little with left and right color code shrink wrap. I love them.

Speaker wire is so cheep that you can afford to go all out and have a little fun. I think I spent $70.00 of a 7 foot pair and they are really state of the art so to speak, at least in my opinion. I really like how they look and feel. They look like you could walk all over them without any issue for weeks and super flexible.

If you are on a budget I recommend a standard 14ga or 12 ga outdoor extension cord from Home Depot. You can get different colors. The problem is that you have to buy the whole extension cord and by the time you do that you could have almost bought the proper length of bulk Mogami. They really feel good and that is worth the extra money in helping you love your system.

The Mogami won't sound any better but it is more fun. Because speaker cables last so long and are so cheep go for the best. It's more fun than lamp cord. And make your own; it's more fun as well. There is no way you should have to spend over $100.00 for the best cables and connectors money can buy so don't be a sucker but you don't need to cheep out unless you have to cheep out. Is it overkill? Yes but fun overkill so enjoy yourself.

 

[MrOneEyedBoh]

No, go ahead and overthink it. You want good speaker cables. You want to have some fun. At that length you can do whatever you want for well under $100.00. I made my cables from Mogami 3103. It's oxygen free copper, super fine stranded, 1/2 diameter, very robust and very flexible. I converted my speakers to SpeakON connectors and added SpeakON plugs to the cables. They feel really good when you plug them in and they lock. They are rated for like 30 amps and very confidence inspiring. I use bare wire on the amp end and dressed it out a little with left and right color code shrink wrap. I love them.

Speaker wire is so cheep that you can afford to go all out and have a little fun. I think I spent $70.00 of a 7 foot pair and they are really state of the art so to speak, at least in my opinion. I really like how they look and feel. They look like you could walk all over them without any issue for weeks and super flexible.

If you are on a budget I recommend a standard 14ga or 12 ga outdoor extension cord from Home Depot. You can get different colors. The problem is that you have to buy the whole extension cord and by the time you do that you could have almost bought the proper length of bulk Mogami. They really feel good and that is worth the extra money in helping you love your system.

The Mogami won't sound any better but it is more fun. Because speaker cables last so long and are so cheep go for the best. It's more fun than lamp cord. And make your own; it's more fun as well. There is no way you should have to spend over $100.00 for the best cables and connectors money can buy so don't be a sucker but you don't need to cheep out unless you have to cheep out. Is it overkill? Yes but fun overkill so enjoy yourself.

Sounds like a lot of…fun?

Thanks for the post!

 

[Redacted]

For what it’s worth, after soldering banana plugs onto my cables I decided the bare wire made better contact so I cut the banana plugs off.
Both actions were probably a giant waste of time.

And what were the before and after measurements for the differences this made?

 

[stuartkohl]

No, go ahead and overthink it. You want good speaker cables. You want to have some fun. At that length you can do whatever you want for well under $100.00. I made my cables from Mogami 3103. It's oxygen free copper, super fine stranded, 1/2 diameter, very robust and very flexible. I converted my speakers to SpeakON connectors and added SpeakON plugs to the cables. They feel really good when you plug them in and they lock. They are rated for like 30 amps and very confidence inspiring. I use bare wire on the amp end and dressed it out a little with left and right color code shrink wrap. I love them.

Speaker wire is so cheep that you can afford to go all out and have a little fun. I think I spent $70.00 of a 7 foot pair and they are really state of the art so to speak, at least in my opinion. I really like how they look and feel. They look like you could walk all over them without any issue for weeks and super flexible.

If you are on a budget I recommend a standard 14ga or 12 ga outdoor extension cord from Home Depot. You can get different colors. The problem is that you have to buy the whole extension cord and by the time you do that you could have almost bought the proper length of bulk Mogami. They really feel good and that is worth the extra money in helping you love your system.

The Mogami won't sound any better but it is more fun. Because speaker cables last so long and are so cheep go for the best. It's more fun than lamp cord. And make your own; it's more fun as well. There is no way you should have to spend over $100.00 for the best cables and connectors money can buy so don't be a sucker but you don't need to cheep out unless you have to cheep out. Is it overkill? Yes but fun overkill so enjoy yourself.

How is that fun?

Personally, I'm going to leave my old speaker wire alone and listen to some music instead. I find that to be much more satisfying.