2. cables
  3. 193844-171531

Using non-terminated speaker wire?

From all that I have read here on A'gon, my speaker cables should be several feet shorter; but that's not my question.  If I was to shorten my speaker cables and then simply wrap the bare wire around the posts of my speakers, wouldn't that make a better connection than either bananas or spades?  I did read the "bent banana thread" going on here on this forum, and i did a search on the AQ banana terminals, and I could definitely go that way, but just wondering about the wisdom(?) of using bare wire versus terminals.

immatthewj
westcoastaudiophile
461 posts
 

@erik_squires +1 "The lightest movement of the speaker cable, whether you use bare wire or a spade and the nut comes loose” - Yep, bananas for speaker end are the best! I used Neutrik FL4FX series connectors for up to 80kW Pro-Sound setups, - w/o any issues! 

sns
3,571 posts
 

Thing is perhaps the voicing of cable and connector are spot on, may be changing voicing without them. Oxidation another concern so you tin them with solder, solder can change the voicing. When you think about all the dissimilar metal used in cabling and connectors really is a complex issue. Personally I rather like most of my cabling with rhodium connectors, voicing of system based on that, really no upkeep with rhodium. I do use bare wire connection with my Rel subs.

westcoastaudiophile
461 posts
 

rhodium layer delaminates easily.. I only rely on well recognized connector manufacturers like Neutrik/Furutech etc.. 

sns
3,571 posts
 

Quality plating of any kind doesn't delaminate easily.

erik_squires
16,560 posts
 

I don't know if Rhodium delaminates easily but it's a bad choice for low conductivity and hardness.  The low conductivity is self-explanatory.  The hardness means it's harder to grip.  Softer metals deform under pressure and provide better contact.

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