[xMx Reaper xMx]

hey guys i know its a very novice question, but im new to setting up home theater, and would like some help on the setup.


im buying the Onkyo HT-S6100, and from reading through forums have gathered that i need to upgrade the speaker wire, and use banana plugs for all of my connections.


but i have some questions.


when using this HTIB, how will i connect the speaker wire to the speaker?

will i use banana plugs on one end of the wire, and connect that into the back of each speaker? or, do they connect a different way?


also, when connecting the speaker wire to the banana plug, whats the easiest type to use, and how do you install that type?


i looked on monoprice.com for the different types and they have both open and closed screw types.


whats the difference?


then, what gauge of wire should i use?

and how much would you recommend for my room size? it's roughly 11x9.


how many pairs of the banana plugs do you think i will need?


im sorry for such a long post and all of the questions, its just that i want this to be set up properly, and i would love any help i can get.

thanks.

 

[bighick]

16 awg wire will work good. As for the length depends on how you are going to run it (wrap around the room, fish the walls).

I prefer the closed screw types. And i got them at monoprice.


I dont have a 6100 but I am going to guess that they are just the spring type and wont use banana plugs.

 

[xMx Reaper xMx]

when i read the info on the 6100 thread, it did say that they were spring type.


so then all i would need is the banana plugs for the ends of the speaker wire and into the receiver?


i've heard people say to go with 14 gauge because they believe it allows ease of mind.

and, im planning on running the speaker wire to wrap around the room, im thinking ill need roughly 30 feet for the longest speaker ill need to run.


so im thinking 100 feet should be good?


and whats the difference between closed and open screw?



so that should cover everything then?

getting those plugs, and that gauge and size of wire?

 

[jdubau55]

I believe 16 gauge is good for up to runs of 80' so 16ga should be just fine.


The banana plugs are suggested for the ends of the wire that will go into the receiver. Reason being is it is a lot easier to connect\\disconnect on the back of the receiver. With the banana plugs the wires will just plug in like headphones. The ends that will go into the speaker are fine with just the bare wire. I will probably get banana plugs for my receiver side and then just tin the speaker side with a soldering iron to keep it from getting all nasty.


Closed and open screw should be obvious from the picture. The closed screw plugs have a jacket that covers the screw that holds the wire. The open screw ones are just that. Open. Wire can stick out. I'll see if I can't find a picture....

Open type you can see the screw and the wire will be exposed.

Closed type no exposed screw


Look at this PDF. Near the bottom is a good picture showing open and closed side by side.


Depending on your room size I would say 10' x 2 for the front speakers. 6-8' for the center speaker and around 30' x 2 for the surrounds on a 5.1 system. You should be fine with 100' but you may be pushing it for a large room. Maybe a 100' roll and a 50' roll just to be safe if you have a larger room. Once you start running the rear surrounds and hiding the wire you use a lot more.

 

[xMx Reaper xMx]



Quote:
Originally Posted by jdubau55 /forum/post/15409471


I believe 16 gauge is good for up to runs of 80' so 16ga should be just fine.


The banana plugs are suggested for the ends of the wire that will go into the receiver. Reason being is it is a lot easier to connect\\disconnect on the back of the receiver. With the banana plugs the wires will just plug in like headphones. The ends that will go into the speaker are fine with just the bare wire. I will probably get banana plugs for my receiver side and then just tin the speaker side with a soldering iron to keep it from getting all nasty.


Closed and open screw should be obvious from the picture. The closed screw plugs have a jacket that covers the screw that holds the wire. The open screw ones are just that. Open. Wire can stick out. I'll see if I can't find a picture....

Open type you can see the screw and the wire will be exposed.

Closed type no exposed screw


Look at this PDF. Near the bottom is a good picture showing open and closed side by side.


Depending on your room size I would say 10' x 2 for the front speakers. 6-8' for the center speaker and around 30' x 2 for the surrounds on a 5.1 system. You should be fine with 100' but you may be pushing it for a large room. Maybe a 100' roll and a 50' roll just to be safe if you have a larger room. Once you start running the rear surrounds and hiding the wire you use a lot more.

thanks very much for that information.

it sounds fairly easy to use banana plugs, and i feel very confident that ill do it just fine.


thanks for all of the responses again everyone they help a bunch.

i think ill get a 100' and a 50' roll just to be safe, and the take it from there.


also, out of curiosity does anyone know of any really good finds on the S6100 or even the S7100?


or even a recommendation for a system thats better, although in that price range i don't fell i can find a better system.


im looking to spend around 550 on the 6100 or less if possible.