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Bi-Wire Cable Question - Can They Be Used As Standard Speaker Cables Without A Problem?

I believe I know the likely answer to this, but just want to be certain. There are a used pair of speaker cables that just appeared for sale which I have been trying to find for nearly a year. They were reported by a quality audio reviewer to have special synergy with my upstairs system. The only issue is that the pair for sale are bi-wired. I have no means to use them bi-wired since my speakers cannot accommodate that. Can I use them as a standard pair of speaker cables without a problem? And what would be the proper means of connecting the ends with two pairs of wires? I strongly suspect it shouldn't be an issue, but I've simply never come across this specific situation before.

My speakers are Magnepans, which won't accept spades, so that complicates things a bit. That would mean no possible way of connecting all four wires to the speaker binding posts. If it is possible to use just two of the leads I plan to use Audioquest banana adaptors as a solution.

Thanks for any assistance with this.


nightfall
9 responses Add your response
Post removed 
roberjerman
4,319 posts
 
Alternately you can connect the two "positive" leads together. Then the two "negative" leads together. This has the benefit of halving the resistance and leaving no loose leads. I would do this!
rodman99999
6,131 posts
 
Given you seem to be interested in sound quality; replacing those cheap, signal degrading, Stainless Steel speaker posts, with good 5-Way binding posts, couldn’t be much easier. Not very expensive and you’ll eliminate the adapter/extra connections. To answer your initial question; parallel the cable pairs(roberjerman’s method), stacking the respective spades(+ and +/- and - ). Or, contact the cable manufacturer and inquire about summing the pairs, w/new terminals. If they could do that with bananas, it would make everything easier for you.
twoleftears's avatar
twoleftears
5,318 posts
 
Effectively, this is no different to shotgunning speaker cable.
gdnrbob
4,444 posts
 
I would just stack the two spade ends to the banana adapter and plug them in.
If the wire is from a company like Audioquest, you can have the cables re-terminated for not much money.
Bob
ctsooner
2,480 posts
 
I'm with Bob.  I'd just go with the new AQ speaker cables and have them terminated the way you need them.  I just ordered a run of William Tell bi wire combo after auditioning a bunch of cables.  If you can afford any of the new Garth designed cables, you will be in for a treat with your system.  
tomcarr
1,504 posts
 
OP- you've gotten excellent answers to your question. Hopefully these will help you solve your dilemma. Let us know.

Tom
shoup1cobra's avatar
shoup1cobra
59 posts
 
I just did this and had the same questions. It works just fine. I have AQ Redwoods that were single bi-wired and I used them on an NHT M6 monitor that is not bi-wire compatible. I used AQ spades on one pair and AQ bananas on the other pair and connected them to the only pair of binding posts. Initially, I had spades on them all, but the routing was putting some extra stress on the wire. Switching the ends really helped that. I would probably have to change them back if I had to sell since that is a weird/odd combo.

I also did the bottom bass module with double bi-wired AQ Volcano. Same cable end swap and it worked perfect. It’s fairly easy to swap those AQ ends at home.
ctsooner
2,480 posts
 
I personally would spend the extra money and send them back to AQ for termination as they have a special process that does make a small difference.  It's very easy and cheap to install their top of the time spades etc... and it's worth it in the long run.  JMHO
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