Banana plug or spades?

[DAT27]

How do i use Banana plug onto Klipsch Qunitet III..I only see screw type for +ve or -ve terminals...Can i use Spades instead of Banana Plug?

[richteer]

You should be able to use spades just fine, and spades will give you a better contact (so might offer marginally better performance).

[naturephoto1]

Spades make better contact and may sound slightly better. Banana plugs are easier to use and more convenient.

Rich

[Johnny Vinyl]

If you have space restrictions at the back of your receiver I'd say use spades. I don't think it really matters either way, unless you have a really high-end set-up, which the previous 2 posters certainly do.

[DAT27]

Thanks to all..i just ordered some banana plugs and spades.

[My_Two_Cents]

Originally Posted by naturephoto1

Spades make better contact and may sound slightly better. Banana plugs are easier to use and more convenient.

Rich

Can you explain how this is so? Not being a smart@$$, I'm just curious as to how a small pin through large hole (and then screwed-down) makes better contact than a "springy tube" pushed into another "tube" where you have contact all around the circumference.

I must be missing something obvious, here, huh?

[nycomet]

Can someone please post photos showing the differences? I just press a red or black thing on the back of my speaks then shove the exposed wire into the hole. I have no screws or anything. The wire stays put when I pull my finder off the red or black things because it "clamps" the wire in position, nice and tight in the opening for the wire. I have three Sony speakers (center and L-R rear surrounds) and two Bose (L-R front). I also have a 200-watt self-powered Sony woofer. It all sound good, but if there is a better way to stick the wire on please let me know.

[naturephoto1]

Originally Posted by Ricshoe

Can you explain how this is so? Not being a smart@$$, I'm just curious as to how a small pin through large hole (and then screwed-down) makes better contact than a "springy tube" pushed into another "tube" where you have contact all around the circumference.

I must be missing something obvious, here, huh?

I think in part is has to do with the surface area of contact from the spade versus the pin loaded into the hole. Additionally the spades may be tightened better for better contact with the binding post (but be careful of them loosening (and making contact with each other or the amp/receiver chassis this can cause a short [I blew my amp more than once this way]) than the pin of the banana plug inserted into the hole of the binding post.

Rich

[naturephoto1]

Originally Posted by nycomet

Can someone please post photos showing the differences? I just press a red or black thing on the back of my speaks then shove the exposed wire into the hole. I have no screws or anything. The wire stays put when I pull my finder off the red or black things because it "clamps" the wire in position, nice and tight in the opening for the wire. I have three Sony speakers (center and L-R rear surrounds) and two Bose (L-R front). I also have a 200-watt self-powered Sony woofer. It all sound good, but if there is a better way to stick the wire on please let me know.

Your speakers sound like they will not easily accept either spades or banana plugs. The spring and hole method on your on the rear of your speakers may possibly accept smaller spades (one side) or smaller banana plugs (or pins). Usually bare wire is used for your type of connectors. More expensive speakers (receivers and amps as well) have a 5 way binding post that will accept bare wire, spades, or banana plugs of various sizes.

5 way binding post link:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Binding_post

Banana Plugs can be seen in the following link:

http://www.parts-express.com/webpage...k=banana_plugs

Photos of some spades are shown in the attachments.

Rich

[sssick]

I'm no expert, but I highly doubt there is any sound quality difference with spades, banana plugs, or even bare wire.

[aramis109]

Comet, if you wanted something to terminate your bare wire, you'd have to use something like these:

http://www.parts-express.com/webpage...ctGroup_ID=416

They're the only things that'll fit in that connector type. As for improved sound quality... nah, you won't hear any. Maybe on really high-end equipment but really those are just for convenience.

[nycomet]

Originally Posted by naturephoto1

Your speakers sound like they will not easily accept either spades or banana plugs. The spring and hole method on your on the rear of your speakers may possibly accept smaller spades (one side) or smaller banana plugs (or pins). Usually bare wire is used for your type of connectors. More expensive speakers (receivers and amps as well) have a 5 way binding post that will accept bare wire, spades, or banana plugs of various sizes.

5 way binding post link:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Binding_post

Banana Plugs can be seen in the following link:

http://www.parts-express.com/webpage...k=banana_plugs

Photos of some spades are shown in the attachments.

Rich

Originally Posted by aramis109

Comet, if you wanted something to terminate your bare wire, you'd have to use something like these:

http://www.parts-express.com/webpage...ctGroup_ID=416

They're the only things that'll fit in that connector type. As for improved sound quality... nah, you won't hear any. Maybe on really high-end equipment but really those are just for convenience.

Thanks for the pics and info guys. I guess I have old-school bare-wire connectors. It sounds good to me so I will just leave it as is.