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Problems with Martin Logan ESL speakers accepting a banana plug?

Purchased Martin Logan ESL speakers and tried to use a banana plug that fits all of my other equipment (Esoteric, Audio Research). When I contacted Martin Logan, I was advised that I may have to use force to get the banana plug into the connection. I had to use such force as nearly bent my speaker wire at the banana plug connection and was only able to engage the banana plug by ~ .125"!!! Purchase pin connectors and attached the spades to the pins and found the pin connectors were far too loose. Interested in what others have tried and/or found to work. Note that these are the lower end ESL’s and not the one’s costing $10K+. Thanks.
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Showing 1 response by tomcy6

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tomcy6
2,542 posts
 
I’ve never had a problem using bananas with MLs, but I do own their higher priced line. Don’t try to force connectors if they won’t go with a firm push.

If your speaker cables have spade connectors, I’d use those. Most audiophiles feel that you get a better connection with them although I doubt you’d be able to hear the difference.

Also, if you unscrew the cable connection on your speakers, you should see a hole in the threaded stem. You can slide your pin connectors or bare wires through that hole and tighten down on them, making sure there’s no way the + and - wires can touch one another.  That would cause a short and damage your equipment.
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