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Banana plugs (1 Viewer)

Rikk B

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Feb 15, 2003
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What are the best connectors to use for hooking up speakers with banana plug fasteners? Is it better to use pins, plugs or the y connectors? Does the brand make a difference, i.e. Monster Cable vs. Acoustic Research?

Thanks
 

Wayne A. Pflughaupt

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Rikk,

The connectors you are referring to (commonly found on the backs of receivers and speakers) are called five-way binding posts. They can be used with bare wire, banana plugs, or spade lugs (i.e., the “plugs with the y-connectors”).

Banana plugs are the most convenient, especially if you re-arrange your equipment a lot. They allow you to easily plug-in and unplug the speaker wire.

However, if you intend to set-it-and-forget it, the simplest and cheapest connection is bare wire directly to the binding posts. If you unscrew the red and black ends of the binding posts, you will find the post beneath them has a hole in the center of it, to accept the bare wire.

Pins are not for use with binding posts. They are for speakers and receivers that have cheaper spring-loaded speaker terminals.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt
 

Leonard B

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Aug 11, 2002
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I have the IXOS 206 banana plugs. They accept 12g wire very securely using 2 screws. I got mine for $14 Cdn at A&B Sound.
Hope this helps.
 

Pablo Abularach

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May 27, 2002
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526
I bought AR banana plugs, and work great (for the speakers and the receiver). Not the pretiest banana plug, but seems to work very well and wasnt so expensive.

I also use AR cables for all my conections (Svideo, dig coax, toshlink, composite). And havent had a problem yet. I think AR is a good company comparing it to monster other more expensive brands.
 

Brett DiMichele

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A 5 Way Binding Post is named as such because it accepts 5
different hookup styles. EG:

Banana Plug

Bare Wire

Spade Lug

Pin Terminal

Ring Terminal

As for what Banana's to use? Depends on what you want to
spend?

Do you want the best Banana plugs price be damned? WBT is
clearly the answer in that case. WBT's Locking Banana's sell
for $14.00 each and they are the best money can buy.

Do you have to use WBT's ? Nope.. Radio Shack sells good
Banana's and AR makes a fine Banana as does Dayton Audio
(www.partsexpress.com) and even NXG (Found on Ebay).
 

Craig

Second Unit
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Oct 20, 1999
Messages
468
I tried AR, Radio Shack Gold, and RCA banana plugs and I thought the Radio Shack plugs were the best. They fit the most securely in my receiver and speakers, the AR and RCA plugs were looser. I also thought the RS plugs had the best quality construction.
 

Pablo Abularach

Supporting Actor
Joined
May 27, 2002
Messages
526
I cant speak about RS or RCA banana plugs, but im using AR, and for me it fits my 12 gauge very secure, and does seem very nice. It isnt the best looking banana plugs but arent the worst I have seen.
 

John_King

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Apr 22, 2003
Messages
11
I have used the Radio Shack banana plugs and I agree that they were very tight and secure on 12 gage wire.
 

LCSeminole

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I agree with Craig and John, Radio Shack bananas are the best of the 3 brands I've used(AR, Monster, RS). Good snug fit and they accept the 12g Home Depot speaker wire I use extremely well, not to mention cheaper as well.
 

Brian Fitterman

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Mar 26, 2002
Messages
243
I use AudioQuest BFA Banana plugs exclusivly. I have used many over the years and they all tend to loose their "bite" or tightness in the binding post except the BFA's. They are designed to create the maximum coverage or surface area touching the binding post as well.

They are more expensive ($4 each) and can only be used once but you will never have trouble with them. So if you plan on changing wire any time soon, they are not for you.
 

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