spades marginally better
depends on the connection posts on speaker and amp
bare wire also good, for the right kind of wire
depends on the connection posts on speaker and amp
bare wire also good, for the right kind of wire
Speaker Cable Termination Opinions - Bananas or Spades
I'm ordering a set of speaker cables and need to decide on the speaker end terminations.
There are only two choices so how difficult can it be.
My concern stems from the fact that I reverse the speaker cable polarity regularly to align with CD recordings. I've found some CDs are presented/recorded out of phase so I swap the phase at the speakers to align with the CD.
Depending on the CDs I'm listening to at the time I might change them every other day or every couple of weeks. But they get changed regularly.
Bananas are the easiest to work with in this circumstance but the style of the banana that is available is the zig zag split sleeve. My concern is that with repeated insertions I will wear away the coating on the hole in the binding post which in time might change the sonic influence. For that reason I'm leaning towards having the terminations prepared with spades which will not introduce the abrasion level that the banana could possibly create.
My preference is to not deteriorate the condition of the binding posts but it sure would be convenient having banana plugs.
Are my concerns about the banana plugs unfounded?
My other solutions, and believe me, I think about them, are to swap the phase at the amp end where I plan to configure the cables with spades or to purchase a BAT preamplifier which has a phase button.
There are only two choices so how difficult can it be.
My concern stems from the fact that I reverse the speaker cable polarity regularly to align with CD recordings. I've found some CDs are presented/recorded out of phase so I swap the phase at the speakers to align with the CD.
Depending on the CDs I'm listening to at the time I might change them every other day or every couple of weeks. But they get changed regularly.
Bananas are the easiest to work with in this circumstance but the style of the banana that is available is the zig zag split sleeve. My concern is that with repeated insertions I will wear away the coating on the hole in the binding post which in time might change the sonic influence. For that reason I'm leaning towards having the terminations prepared with spades which will not introduce the abrasion level that the banana could possibly create.
My preference is to not deteriorate the condition of the binding posts but it sure would be convenient having banana plugs.
Are my concerns about the banana plugs unfounded?
My other solutions, and believe me, I think about them, are to swap the phase at the amp end where I plan to configure the cables with spades or to purchase a BAT preamplifier which has a phase button.
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- 10 posts total
Banana! Spades need a fastening every period because they get lose. This type are the best: https://www.ebay.com/itm/10PCS-Nakamichi-Gold-Plated-Copper-BFA-4mm-Banana-Plug-Male-Speaker-Connect... This type of spring is making the best, long lasting contact, with maximum surface contact with the binding post. |
If you choose to use banana plugs don't use the Nakamichi. Although they advertise "gold plated copper", they are actually brass. The stems are thin metal and tend to bend. I recommend the Supra or the more expensive Cardas. https://www.ebay.com/itm/SUPRA-COMBICON-BANANA-Connector-pair-24k-gold-plated-copper-NO-SOLDERING/15... |
OP, You can use WBT-0610 banana’s, no doubt expensive but they will last a lifetime without any sign of wear. Their unique “locking" termination using an expandable pin allows friction free motion in and out of binding posts. I’ve been using a quad for over 10 years and they still look brand new. VH Audio got them on sale for 20% off. They would also need crimp sleeves to hold the wire inside the banana shell. |
- 10 posts total