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Banana plugs not properly fitting binding posts

post #1 of 8
1/7/13 at 5:08pm
Thread Starter 
Hi, got my home theater setup just the other day and just working on the finishing touches. I have a 7.2 (with 5.1 speakers) with 16ga wiring ran in-wall. I purchased banana plugs and this wall plate/binding post that I intend on plugging the entire setup into the wall with. Well, My binding post and plate came today and when test fitting the banana plugs in the back and front of the binding post I noticed that both ends do not fit in all the way with both inserted. I am trying to find out if this is a problem or if I can just ignore this, I know I could connect the cables bare-wire to the back of the binding post but figured if I could use the plugs in the back I would since I have them available. I have attached some pictures and hoping someone with prior experience could tell me if this is an acceptable fit for in-wall.

Also, the speaker wire itself is CL2 rated however there is insulation inside the wall that the box will end up mounted in, should I heat shrink the plugs if I can use them or wrap with electrical tape?

Thanks!

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post #2 of 8
1/7/13 at 7:08pm
I see no reason in the world to use bananas on the back of the plate.

There's really no need for banana plugs ANYWHERE except for places that are regularly disconnected.
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post #3 of 8
1/8/13 at 3:46am
I'd also use bare wire inside the wall, even if I had lots of spare banana plugs sitting around. I can't really think of a good argument for doing otherwise. It's not like bananas improve connection or sound quality, they just make it easier to disconnect/reconnect.
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post #4 of 8
1/8/13 at 6:25am
Thread Starter 
Cool, Ill just skip on the plugs in the back and just bare-wire them. Thanks for the feedback!
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post #5 of 8
1/8/13 at 7:52am
Quote:
Originally Posted by baniels View Post

I see no reason in the world to use bananas on the back of the plate.

There's really no need for banana plugs ANYWHERE except for places that are regularly disconnected.

If you are serious about connecting and disconnecting speakers, completely skip bananas and use Speakons:

http://www.fullcompass.com/brand/NEU/Speakon-Speaker-Connectors.html



Note that the connector is completely insulated even when disconnected and can't be hooked up wrong by a person cleaning behind the speaker or moving it.



Notice the extremely effective strain relief



Note the completely clean, flush appearance of an unused wall jack.
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post #6 of 8
1/8/13 at 8:15am
I'd have to agree with you, Arny. I will never use binding posts on a speaker again, but I hadn't thought of using Speakons in place of a wall plate. Seems obvious now. These could be used in place of standard plates if your drywall is already cut out.
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post #7 of 8
1/8/13 at 8:40am
Quote:
Originally Posted by baniels View Post

I'd have to agree with you, Arny. I will never use binding posts on a speaker again, but I hadn't thought of using Speakons in place of a wall plate. Seems obvious now. These could be used in place of standard plates if your drywall is already cut out.

I have from time to time found wall plates with Speakons pre-installed.

I've also made my own using a blank plate, my little lithium powered hand drill a stepped drill, etc.







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post #8 of 8
1/8/13 at 2:41pm
I believe that if you look closely, you will see that the "banana jack" on the rear of the plate is not a jack, but rather a knurled nut. Loosen counter clockwise and the speaker wire (preferably with spade lugs attached) wil slip under the nuts and be secured when you tighten them down. Your clue should have been the depth of the hole on the front side versus the rear side.
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