Why are these called 5 way binding posts? I count four!

These are the five ways:

1) bar wire (either around the post or through the hole in the post)

2) spade lug

3) pin jack (solid metal pin at the end of the wire to go into that hole in the post)

4) banana jack

5) double banana jack (the positive and negative posts can be spaced apart by a standard distance such that the two banana jacks are fixed in a holder that has them spaced accordingly).

The term "5-way binding post" is actually a bit of a misnomer, as there are typically only four ways to connect speaker wire to these types of posts. The five-way designation comes from the fact that these binding posts have five individual components, which are:

1. The post itself, which is typically a metal shaft that is screwed into the amplifier or speaker cabinet.
2. A threaded collar or nut that secures the post in place.
3. A plastic or metal insulator that prevents the post from coming into contact with the metal chassis or cabinet.
4. A hole or slot in the post that allows you to insert a bare wire or a spade connector.
5. A hole or threaded insert in the side of the post that allows you to insert a banana plug.

So, to summarize, the five components of a 5-way binding post are the post itself, the threaded collar or nut, the insulator, the wire/slot, and the banana plug hole/threaded insert. However, there are only four ways to connect speaker wire to these posts: bare wire, spade connectors, banana plugs, and pin connectors (although the latter are less common).

4 ways to the speakers, one way to the amplifier..?

5 way boggles my mind.

DeKay

It was explained to me many years ago by an amp manufacturer, whom I forget, because you were able to use a spade ( or loop/hole ) to the shaft, and a banana plug, simultaneously........Is this true ? I am only repeating what I heard. MrD.

I'd call it 3 way, bare wire, (in a hole or wrapped around) are the same damn thing really.

I'd call it 3 way, bare wire, (in a hole or wrapped around) are the same damn thing really.

Not the same if the hole is missing....

Anything more than a 3-way I'm too old for.

Pretty sure the post is just bragging about its abilities. 

Is Skyline Chili involved in this?

Bare wire, pin, spade, banana and diced onion?

The fifth one is wireless 

I'm not sure how legit this is, but it says that the fifth method is an alligator clip (#2).

@ketchup

BINGO!!

@dekay - I wish I had a mind left to boggle!  LOL

"Anything more than a 3-way I'm too old for."

My binding post would be happy with a two way...

The terminals on my vintage speakers are 2-way. Or, is it 3? I was feeling pretty good about them when I woke up this morning. Now I wonder.

There are some amusing answers here, but, my earlier posting was not speculation-this is what I was told by the distributor of binding posts.  He loved to test people on this because few actually know.  I got four right—bare wire, spade lug, banana jack and pin jack—but I did not guess double banana (or dual banana) jack.  I like the alligator clip idea.  Perhaps someone can claim their product is a six-way binding post, or even more.  At least this would have some basis in fact, unlike the cell phone companies claiming “10 k” coverage (10 is bigger than 5, right? Never mind that 5k denoted the generation of development).

When so many threads on this forum end up argumentative this one actually got humorous and I read every response. I especially liked...!

"Pretty sure the post is just bragging about its abilities." 

@nonoise 

  +1

  But what a way to go! 

@larryi is correct. We always used to use double banana plugs in the day as they saved time, but the posts have to be the correct distance apart.

Okay. It’s time to get real here.

The term "bind" is defined as to "tie or fasten (something) tightly." Anyone who’s tried to shove a Dyson in between a wall and their speakers, whacked a cable, and dislodged a banana connector "binded" to their speaker knows that it is not fastened "tightly."

A more correct engineering description of a banana connection is referred to as an "interference fit". See linked video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KwpEgwiX850

Tithes may bind. Banana connectors do not.

I vote for 4-way + 1.

The term "5-way binding post" is actually a bit of a misnomer, as there are typically only four ways to connect speaker wire to these types of posts. The five-way designation comes from the fact that these binding posts have five individual components, which are:

1. The post itself, which is typically a metal shaft that is screwed into the amplifier or speaker cabinet.
2. A threaded collar or nut that secures the post in place.
3. A plastic or metal insulator that prevents the post from coming into contact with the metal chassis or cabinet.
4. A hole or slot in the post that allows you to insert a bare wire or a spade connector.
5. A hole or threaded insert in the side of the post that allows you to insert a banana plug.

So, to summarize, the five components of a 5-way binding post are the post itself, the threaded collar or nut, the insulator, the wire/slot, and the banana plug hole/threaded insert. However, there are only four ways to connect speaker wire to these posts: bare wire, spade connectors, banana plugs, and pin connectors (although the latter are less common).

Just to document my source….it was ChatGPT. 

Great little conversation you got here. My 2 cents is the alligator clip is a red

herring. The double banana is the 5th way, or was until the EU got involved. 

I use banana plugs because they have appeal!

Yeah, sorry.

love it!... great post @yogiboy 

It should be a six way if you include soldering 😉

You could always unscrew the terminal, slip a ring connector on, and put it back.  Then you have 5 ways.