im thinking of buying banana plugs for my 7.1 home theater, and i would probally get them at monoprice, should i just use speaker wire by itself?, am i just wasting my money and killing my audio quality by wanting to use banana plugs ? thanks for any advice.

Well you certainly are not improving the audio. It boils down to convenience. I think that theoretically you are degrading the sound, but on a practical note, it is probably negligible. So do it if you think that the convenience is something that you need.

Ed

I really don't think you would notice a difference.

As long as you get a reasonable contact surface (same as your wire gauge, or thicker), then the banana plugs will not make your sound worse.

It will make your sound more tropical, with a hint of banana overtones.

Well you certainly are not improving the audio. It boils down to convenience. I think that theoretically you are degrading the sound, but on a practical note, it is probably negligible. So do it if you think that the convenience is something that you need.

Ed

Since you dont really have a clue you shouldnt be spreading nonsense. Please instead of thinking and putting forth your own opinion, understand the facts. They will have ZERO effect on the sound.

It will make your sound more tropical, with a hint of banana overtones.


Haha. Then what will spade plugs do?

Haha. Then what will spade plugs do?

They will cause a slight "hum" in your speakers but if you listen very very ....very closely its not a hum, it's actually know when to hold them by kenny rogers :D

im thinking of buying banana plugs for my 7.1 home theater, and i would probally get them at monoprice, should i just use speaker wire by itself?, am i just wasting my money and killing my audio quality by wanting to use banana plugs ? thanks for any advice.

Provided the connection to the plugs is mechanically sound then there won't be any degredation in audio quality. That said, the connection from wire to plug is one more thing you can mess up, so if you are doing it, make sure you do it well or have someone knowledgable terminate your wire for you.

Personally I use banana plugs for my mains/centre on my setup (mains are bi-amped as well), and use the stock Belden cable and Canare plugs from blue-jeans. That setup works extremely well for me and the plugs are pretty straight-forward to install on the wire.

Since you dont really have a clue you shouldnt be spreading nonsense.Now is this really necessary? :rolleyes:
Please instead of thinking and putting forth your own opinion, understand the facts. They will have ZERO effect on the sound.This is not true. You are introducing an extra contact with additional contact resistance. So theoretically the effect is not ZERO. But from a practical point of view - it is largely negligible - as I stated originally.

But in fact over time, such contacts do degrade - maybe it's oxidation or maybe it's something else. It seems difficult to keep a stereo sounding good all the time. Breaking and remaking the banana connections helps.

Ed

Now is this really necessary? :rolleyes:


Ed

Yes it was. You stated zero facts only what you think which was completely wrong.

ekb is entirely correct. Would you cut your speaker wire in 10 pieces and then splice the pieces back together? Obviously not because every new contact point is prone to corrosion, a bad contact as well as slight changes in the electrical signal. But can you HEAR these issues with banana plugs - the answer is no. Proof is not required for common sense - unless you want me to provide links to websites that talk about metal corrosion, determinine electrical conduit degradation, electrical signal paths and basic electrical laws.

But can you HEAR these issues with banana plugs - the answer is no. Proof is not required for common sense - unless you want me to provide links to websites that talk about metal corrosion, determinine electrical conduit degradation, electrical signal paths and basic electrical laws.

Really again with this BS? Not one of you could pick out a speaker cable with any sort of connector on it VS bare wire, and I would say even spliced 20 times., in a DBT.


And yes corrosion is real, but you think it only would happen if you used a plug?? And I know all about basin electronic laws but a properly spliced and plugged cable will have no result of degraded sound whatsoever.

Really again with this BS? Not one of you could pick out a speaker cable with any sort of connector on it VS bare wire, and I would say even spliced 20 times., in a DBT.
And who said we could? I think you're arguing with yourself.
And yes corrosion is real, but you think it only would happen if you used a plug??
With bare wire you are more apt to notice corrosion over time and cut an inch off the wire and re-attach it to the speaker. With a banana plug, its out of site, and only the diligent will remember that inside the banan plug corrosion has occurred and remedy the situation.
And I know all about basin electronic laws but a properly spliced and plugged cable will have no result of degraded sound whatsoever.
And who said it would? Again you are asking us to prove something that we agree on. But can the change in an electrical signal be measured by extremely sensitive equipment between a spliced wire and one that has not been spliced - the answer is yes - but the change is so miniscule to be completely and utterly meaningless.

The banana plugs is a convinient way of making speaker connections and there is no way that it improves or degrades the sound as long as it is making a good mechanical connection.

Since you dont really have a clue you shouldnt be spreading nonsense. Please instead of thinking and putting forth your own opinion, understand the facts. They will have ZERO effect on the sound.

Maybe it's just me but these types of comments bother me!! :eek: Why are you so offended that you're jumping all over this guy? If you disagree, that's perfectly fine, but do people have to be so rude about it? Whether you are right or wrong, whether he is completely out to lunch or not, there really is no need. The more I see this antagonistic, rude, flying-off-the-handle stuff on this forum the more I get really angry. If you were that rude to someone face to face, whether you were right in the matter or not, you would end up getting a broken nose over it and rightfully so.

Anyway, jump all over me if you want... I just wish people were allowed to express their thoughts and opinions, right or wrong without getting jumped all over by those too rude to know any other way. Like I said, even if he were wrong, your approach could have been very different... there, that's my rant for the day :)

Maybe it's just me but these types of comments bother me!! :eek: Why are you so offended that you're jumping all over this guy? If you disagree, that's perfectly fine, but do people have to be so rude about it? Whether you are right or wrong, whether he is completely out to lunch or not, there really is no need. The more I see this antagonistic, rude, flying-off-the-handle stuff on this forum the more I get really angry. If you were that rude to someone face to face, whether you were right in the matter or not, you would end up getting a broken nose over it and rightfully so.

Anyway, jump all over me if you want... I just wish people were allowed to express their thoughts and opinions, right or wrong without getting jumped all over by those too rude to know any other way. Like I said, even if he were wrong, your approach could have been very different... there, that's my rant for the day :)

WOW thanks now I feel all warm and fuzzy. I have said that to many people because in my biz of pro audio we run into idiots all the time.And I have yet to have a broken anything on my body. I dont feel bad at all. The statements made were wrong and there is already too much BS in this industry.

To be honest, it would have surprised me if you did feel badly. If the warm and fuzzy feeling doesn't go away in a day or so, you should see the doctor or something. I'm sure a little penicillin or prozac or something would fix it in no time.

To be honest, it would have surprised me if you did feel badly. If the warm and fuzzy feeling doesn't go away in a day or so, you should see the doctor or something. I'm sure a little penicillin or prozac or something would fix it in no time.


Is that really necessary?
You've brought nothing to the thread, except personal attacks...childish ones at that.

Hypocrite.

Huh?? What personal attack? All I said is it doesn't surprise me and the "warm, fuzzy" comment was a joke!! Now, having said that... re-reading my second post, maybe the comment wasn't warranted and out of line but it just steams me when people get trounced on around here so much.

Huh?? What personal attack?

Huh??? Read your post!

All I said is it doesn't surprise me and the "warm, fuzzy" comment was a joke!!

Really, that's all you said? Seems to be more in your post then that...you're not deliberately being obtuse , are you?

maybe the comment wasn't warranted and out of line but it just steams me when people get trounced on around here so much.

...so you thought you'd join in on the trouncing anyway.

Hold on... my first post, in my opinion, was valid. His original post WAS rude and there was nothing hypocritical or wrong about me pointing that out. There was no personal attack in my first post.

I already agreed that my second post was uncalled for. I posted it before I really thought about it and it was inappropriate... like I already said. Anyway, THIS is now getting silly so I will bow out.

They will cause a slight "hum" in your speakers but if you listen very very ....very closely its not a hum, it's actually know when to hold them by kenny rogers :D

on a lighter note, thats damn funny. :D now the dang song is stuck in my head.. thanks for that...

A newly connected banana plug will not effect the sound (assuming nothing is defective).

But all connections degrade with time. Using any kind of plug introduces a new connection, which may or may not cause problems in the future. Banana plugs are handy though, and if properly attatched to the wire should cause no problem. I don't use them because I don't switch speakers or cables around very often so the convenience is negligable for me. I figure why pay for something that does me no real good.

Pros like to sell stuff, and generate repeat business. They are not always right, or always looking out for the best interest of their customers (though I like to think that most of them are).

I have been using banana plugs for over 10 years in my setup and I never had any problems with using them ,as for the other members here bickering about stupid banana
plugs is really uncalled for .
What the OP wanted to know was if the banana plugs changes the sound and the answer is a simple "No" .

The connection between the speaker wire and the banana plug has no more chance of corrosion than the speaker wire directly connected to the speaker terminal. Most speaker terminals are gold plated, as are banana plugs, whereas most speaker wire is copper and when exposed to the air, will corrode over time.

The connection between the speaker wire and the banana plug has no more chance of corrosion than the speaker wire directly connected to the speaker terminal. Most speaker terminals are gold plated, as are banana plugs, whereas most speaker wire is copper and when exposed to the air, will corrode over time.

Bananas do add one more connection point to the whole chain and my thought is to keep the number of connection points to the absolute minimum necessary.

Bananas do add one more connection point to the whole chain and my thought is to keep the number of connection points to the absolute minimum necessary.


That is true to a point, but with the current levels used in AV equipment, the small number of connections will not make much difference. If you are a tweak-aholic, obviously, going from reciever/amplifier to speaker binding post with bare wire is the simplest.

Is that really necessary?
You've brought nothing to the thread, except personal attacks...childish ones at that.

Hypocrite.
The infamous Targus strikes again. You did the same thing you accuse him of SFBs.
Yes I know, you have suckered me into it too.

The infamous Targus strikes again.

Funny you say that. I have noticed lately in other threads how often "certain people" are involved in these sorts of exchanges with others. Anyway, I don't want to get into it again but thought your comment was interesting.

Nuthead spews forth his "knowledge" once again...and keeps stinking the place up with his idiocy.

If you've nothing to add, and you never do...don't post.

I have noticed lately in other threads how often "certain people" are involved in these sorts of exchanges with others.

I've also noticed how you wander into various threads...and personally attack others...and now you're whining about it....moron.

Targus has been suspended.

Please carry on.

I will be cracking down on all further personal remarks from here on in.

Kyser

While a bare wire connection can certainly be used, it is a sloppy way of doing so and should only be done if you're incredibly hard pressed for money. While rare, it is not unknown for single wires to break loose and cause shorts which can wreak havoc on some receivers or amps. Now, you could simply tin the ends of the wires and that basically takes care of potential corrosion problems. OTOH, bananas, or bananas and spades, make for connections that are robust and lend themselves to easy removal. You'll find many different types of banana connectors. Some use set screws to hold the wire in place, others require solder, some do both, some are locking, etc. There's something out there for everyone. To agonize over things like which one has the greater contact area is largely non-productive. It is like worrying about a little nick on your car instead of a crushed quarter panel.

Actually, the gold plating on the plugs are more damaging than the extra connection...that being said, you won't be able to hear the difference (even for bats, dogs, and children) in either case.

While a bare wire connection can certainly be used, it is a sloppy way of doing so and should only be done if you're incredibly hard pressed for money. While rare, it is not unknown for single wires to break loose and cause shorts which can wreak havoc on some receivers or amps. Now, you could simply tin the ends of the wires and that basically takes care of potential corrosion problems. OTOH, bananas, or bananas and spades, make for connections that are robust and lend themselves to easy removal. You'll find many different types of banana connectors. Some use set screws to hold the wire in place, others require solder, some do both, some are locking, etc. There's something out there for everyone. To agonize over things like which one has the greater contact area is largely non-productive. It is like worrying about a little nick on your car instead of a crushed quarter panel.

Well said and agreed that the utility outweighs the inconvenience (providing the connection is solid)

Actually, the gold plating on the plugs are more damaging than the extra connection...that being said, you won't be able to hear the difference (even for bats, dogs, and children) in either case.

Agreed. Occam's Razor only cuts so far if the difference is negligible.

At least noone mentioned power cords ,because this thread would turn into a real waste. :rolleyes:

I agree, Banana Plugs on a power cord might really cause some sound problems.

(Like loud screams from the user)

..Doyle

I agree, Banana Plugs on a power cord might really cause some sound problems.

(Like loud screams from the user)

..Doyle


Hahahaha :rolleyes: :D

Hey, I had to skip over the bickering...

1) I use banana plugs
2) I love them, makes hooking up MUCH easier
3) The could be theoretically worse or something, but I would place money you're not going to notice
4) I have had no issues with corrosion; I think I buy the gold plated kind
5) Some of you should re-read the forum rules

I don't use banana plugs, but I've noticed that when trying different speakers, etc, I find myself often having to re-twist the strands. Would it be helpful to apply solder to the ends of the exposed wire, preventing the problem of loose strands causing shorts and eliminating corrosion problems?

don

If you're not going to use connectors, it makes sense to tin the ends.

I don't use banana plugs, but I've noticed that when trying different speakers, etc, I find myself often having to re-twist the strands. Would it be helpful to apply solder to the ends of the exposed wire, preventing the problem of loose strands causing shorts and eliminating corrosion problems?

donI find that this is not a good thing. The soldered ends are stiff and so they don't wrap around the binding post, and they are not too malleable so that they can't be squashed by screwing down the binding post.

Ed

I wouldn't be too worried about using banana plugs for infrequent insertion/extraction duties. I think you'd only run into problems if you were frequently pulling them in and out and wore off the plating resulting in oxidation issues. Your normal run-of-the-mill plugs might not have a very thick plating layer ;-)

they can't be squashed by screwing down the binding post.

Most posts have a hole through them where you stick the cable, and then you screw the retaining nut on it, clamping down on both edges of that hole. That should work pretty well with tinned edges, too, assuming you screw hard enough.

Haha. Then what will spade plugs do?

Make your sound very wet like New Orleans

No bickering here.
Almost All solid state electronics use interior soldered connections. The others that do not, use a less expense manufacturing technique of compression connections. (although some exceptions might exist, I would ask that you would include an example relevant to the discussion)
Logically, then, unless your soldering skill is very poor, the connection of the wire to the interconnect will be as solid as the wiring of the interconnect that is manufactured to receive it.

If the OP does indeed purchase the reasonably-priced monoprice banana plugs... Please take this one caution. After attaching the wire to the banana plug and plugging it into whatever, wrap the remaining exposed metal in some electrical tape.

Can't beat the monoprice cheapies for ease of use & cost, but they run the *albiet small* risk of an electrical short should something conductive fall across a few of the plugs. A quick strip of electrial tape solves that!

to those more knowlegeable.. chime in if what i'm saying is unsound

I think that Spec guy is one angry individual!

"we come across a lot of idiots in the industry"? This forum is not a "Speaker Installer Guy Convention"... people should be allowed to come here and voice an opinion, and other people should be allowed to disagree.

But the flaming Spec is really childish. Maybe you need a hug?

I think that Spec guy is one angry individual!

"we come across a lot of idiots in the industry"? This forum is not a "Speaker Installer Guy Convention"... people should be allowed to come here and voice an opinion, and other people should be allowed to disagree.

But the flaming Spec is really childish. Maybe you need a hug?

OPinion is one thing but the bullshit that gets spouted here that snake oil salesmen try to pass off as a science needs to be stopped. When the opinion is wrong and not factual then they need to be called on it. Go to the Audio Asylum if you don't want to know real facts.

Spec's in Las Vegas. If he needs a hug, there's plenty of gentlemen's clubs with dancers from UNLV who'll give him one.

But the flaming Spec is really childish.

Is that like a flambe?
When attempting tp insult a forum member , with your 4 posts...you might want to arrange the words, so that they make some sense to the reader...otherwise, you just look stupid.

Go to the Audio Asylum if you don't want to know real facts.


Ah, you've been exposed to them, know what they are about. :D

I've used banana plugs in my systems for about 30 years - the only problem I've had with them is the plugs occasionally pulling out of the socket when moving the equiment to get behind it. I wish more equipment was designed for standard double banana spacing - that is a very convenient type of connector and because of the double contact are less likely to come loose.

My favorite type of connector is the ring terminal because it is easy to install and very secure. Unfortunately most equipment isn't set up to use these. My ultimate speaker cable would be Canare Star Quad with gold plated ring terminals.

Spades are ok, but I am not a huge fan of them, They are not as secure as rings and on some gear they have the potential to cause a short if they come loose.

Worst of all is bare wire. Yes, I tin mine but it still is harder to handle, is not secure, etc.

I started using them since the lugs on the back of my Klipsch started comming loose after a while, since cranking on them with a wrench is probably a bad idea, I opted for bananas and noticed no differance in sound whatsoever. I am using Blue Jeans speaker cables with the locking bananas. They seem to make a very good mechanical connection.

Well to take this theory a step further... What do you folks think about using wall plates at each end of the speaker wire run like these for instance ?

link (http://www.inwallstore.com/iw10bpgw.html)

Why not?

Why not?

Thats what I just asked.

I am asking for some opinions on this. I work in the wide area networking world and in my business adding a coupler to any connection can definately affect performance.

This ain't no networking world though. If you go into a studio or mobile unit or whatever, there are many connections that are made. There really isn't all that much taxing of the signal with respect to audio and for that matter video too.

I know I'm alittle late to the game with all the posts in this thread already, that said I haven't read every single post so this may have been stated already, if so "sorry"

I use these http://www.monstercable.com/productdisplay.asp?pin=1273 and it's more for convenience personally I can't tell the difference with or without them and like others have stated I doubt you'll notice, for me it's nice to have because my receiver is in a hard to reach area and with stranded wire when I'd connect them you'd always get that few that would snag and crap that's why I use them.

also from my understanding copper is subject to corrosion and the gold tips help with reducing that.

I'm not speaking this as truth this is just my understanding of it and please correct me if I'm wrong.

I use XLR cables and powered speakers. I know, I'm a freak :-)

I use XLR cables and powered speakers. I know, I'm a freak :-)If you really were a freak then you would have opened up those powered speakers and replaced the internal speaker wire with "better" wire. ;)

Ed