5-Way Binding Posts (1 Viewer)

[SeanA]

I believe I have these on my receiver and speakers, but still do not know all the different means of hooking up to the 5-way binding posts. On my speakers, I am using Monster clampless speaker wire pins which are inserted into the cross-ways hole in the 5-way post and clamped down by tightening the nut. I really don't like this connection because it seems the nut of the 5-way binding post tends to loosen up fairly quickly, and my speakers have actually become disconnected a few times. I am just wondering if there is any resource that shows the different means of connecting to the 5-way binding posts, and some of the pluses/minuses of each type of connection ???

Based on another posting in this same forum, it seems the banana plugs may be a more secure method. Also, I have "bi-wired" my speakers and so would be concerned about getting the extra speaker wire to fit in the connector of choice. This is not a problem at my speakers since they come with dual posts (treble and bass, specifically for bi-wiring), but my receiver does not. What is the best connector for cramming in two speaker wires ???

 

[Lee Bailey]

While banana plugs do not necessarily provide the 'best' connection, they are more convienient. To Bi-Wire, you would want to get some dual banana plugs like these: Dual Red Banana Plug . If your binding posts are true 5-way, then the duals should work fine. You just plug the second set of biwires into the rear of the dual jacks.

 

[Bob McElfresh]

I usually found the wires would pull out of the pins/bananas rather than the binding posts. The Monster "Twist Crimp" plugs were very bad because of this.

Go to Radio Shack and buy 1 set of their dual banana plugs (2xx-308) and bring them home to test for spacing. (no, not all receivers/speakers use identical spacing). I really like these bananas for behind the speakers. But they stick out too far so I now use the single-bananas (2xx-306).

On the binding post issue:

- Bare wire is considerd the 'best'. But if you use thick 12 ga, it's really hard to thread the side-holes in 10 of these and do a neat job. (Neatness is VERY IMPORTANT for speaker wires. A loose thread of copper can cause a short later)

- Pins were developed for the "Spring Clip" connectors, but they can be used for the binding posts.

- Bananas are friction-fit, very handy and make it easy to connect/disconnect in the crowded cluster of posts.

- Spades are the THX standard, but you need to find a good spade and have a good crimp-tool to make sure the wires dont simply pull out after a few months.

- Lugs/rings have the same issues as Spades.

Try the 2 Radio Shack suggestions. They were a godsend for my system. They dont require any special tools (other than the wire strippers), and I have not had a loose connection in years.

 

[SeanA]

Lee & Bob,

Thanks for the great information.

I am still a little confused though as to whether or not I have true 5-way Binding Posts. Would anyone have a photo or link to post that shows what they look like and maybe even how to connect to them ?

I am also confused about the dual banana plugs. If the spacing is right, I can see how it would work with my speakers since they come with an extra set of binding posts specifically for bi-wiring. But I don't see how this helps me on my receiver where I have to run a pair of speaker wires to each post. I was thinking the dual banana plug would have two inlet connectors for the speaker wire, but only a single plug end. Is it possible to connect two speaker wires (I think I have 12 ga.) to a "single" banana plug ?

 

[Bob McElfresh]

The dual plugs have 2 banana plugs separated by a solid plastic bar. One for each wire in a speaker wire.

The Radio Shack units take the wire in the sides, and leave openings in the back for another banana. You can biwire this way. But I think most people who bi-wire get the plugs that can handle 10 ga wire and shove 2 sets of wires into the side. (This might be an argument for using 16 ga wire for your main speakers - so they can both fit in the hole).

Binding Posts: They look like pairs of Red & Black knobs. Try un-screwing one and the cap should screw up to reveal a hole in the side of the center post.

 

[SeanA]

Thanks again Bob,

Looks like I might have a tough time using the banana plugs behind my receiver, but my direct wire connection there seems to hold up well compared to the pins I am using in the speaker posts.

Based on your description of the binding posts, I do think that is what I have on both my speakers and receiver. It is the side hole on the center post that I use to make my pin connections to the speakers... and this is the connection that loosens up easily.

Thanks a Bunch !!!

 

[Nathan Smith]

ok for a good visual here is what binding post look like

u should have this on your speakers

u should have these on your reciever

should look somthing like the above, here is a good description of its usage and follow the links for info in the connectors used [spades, bannana plugs etc]

if u dont need to disconnect ur speakers often i would juz use bar wire on your speakers in the same way you have used the pins [through the hole]and then for neatness [important as stated earlier] use bannana plugs on your reciever

hope this helps good luck
nathan

 

[SeanA]

Hey Nathan,

Thanks... I think that confirms that my binding posts are 5-way. The photos are very close to what my binding posts look like on my speakers and receiver, except that my speakers have a second pair of binding posts spaced a short distance apart vertically (for easy bi-wiring as I mentioned... one pair for base and one pair for treble).

Would you mind checking your third link on connecting to the 5-way binding posts ? I can not get it to open. I would love to see this since I have still not decided what I want to do with my speaker connections.

 

[Nathan Smith]

odd that it did not work for u i just checked it and it worked fine but just in case here is the site

www.audiovideo101.com just do a quick search and it should bring up the info on binding post and there connections

this is the directlink again

http://www.audiovideo101.com/diction...nding-post.asp