Banana Plugs

[kevinokev]

Hey All,

I was hooking my standard speaker wire into my first receiver with banana plug connections/large speaker terminals. What a pain to hook in to the receiver.

Having tried that, I think I'm getting banana connections for all the wires.
Through MONOPRICE of course...
What's the difference between open screw & closed screw types?

Any info would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.

[Siri]

open screw has the wire coming out through the side, while closed screw looks cleaner to me, they have a diagram somewhere...on monoprice I think..

[kevinokev]

Saw additional threads on these plugs.
Thanks for the info.

Looks like I'll be getting a bunch of the closed type plugs.

Thanks.

[CdnBlu]

EDIT: Beat me to my response! :P

They both look really similar but by the looks of it Open goes through the hole in the cylinder, while Closed will just loop around the screw and get 'closed' on.

[DavidAg02]

Only real reason to use open screw banana plugs is if you don't have a lot of room in back of your receiver. Otherwise, closed is the way to go.

[aramis109]

I actually use both types (mostly because I needed to order some more). Closed screw are great for behind the receiver, and the open type help cut down on speaker wire sticking out behind the speakers. You can actually use the open type the same as the closed I believe, or you can use them in the traditional "T" shape.

[liquidice]

I actually feel pretty good about direct wire going to the terminal, speaker and receiver. Less area's for the signal to flow though.

[DIY_HD]

I put them on my mains and my AVR for easy removal when I have to move the speakers. It's a bit unclear, but there is a set screw on the inside of the shell.

[Durentis]

Might want to avoid the Monoprice banana plugs.. one of the few things I won't get from them.

It was suggested to me a while back that having all that exposed metal on the back of your receiver is a pretty serious short circuit risk. You could always cover them in liquid rubber, I suppose, but you're probably better off looking elsewhere until Monoprice comes up with some safer plugs.

Or just use bare-wire connections as I do.. you're unlikely to be swapping wires out all that often, right?

[liquidice]

I don't know about the plugs being a "short circuit" risk, your receiver should clip off if that were to happen. I just don't like the idea of a speaker wire touching to many things before getting the signal in the first place. Yes, I know I'm paranoid, but I'm not using the worlds greatest speakers either, so I just want to make sure I'm getting the absolute best out of what I have. I comtemplate bananna plugs about every two days, or every monoprice order I place. I'm sure I'll be sticking my foot in my mouth in a couple weeks.

[kevinokev]

I got the order today from Monoprice. They are nice quality plugs. Got 13 for like $30. I needed 7 for my system (plus 1 spare) and 5 more for a friend.

Should work just fine.

[Kryptron]

Originally Posted by Durentis

Might want to avoid the Monoprice banana plugs.. one of the few things I won't get from them.

It was suggested to me a while back that having all that exposed metal on the back of your receiver is a pretty serious short circuit risk. You could always cover them in liquid rubber, I suppose, but you're probably better off looking elsewhere until Monoprice comes up with some safer plugs.

Or just use bare-wire connections as I do.. you're unlikely to be swapping wires out all that often, right?

I don't see how they could "short" if they are less likely to touch each other then bare wire. Bare wire could short if a few strands touch the chassis now that's unsafe. I use monoprice banana plugs both on the receiver end and speakers. They work excellent.

[Johnny Vinyl]

If you pay attention to how you connect wire to either your receiver/pre-pro/speakers, it'll make no difference as to whether you use bare wire, banana plugs or spades. Doing it RIGHT will eliminate any concerns that have been previously stated.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with connecting any componant using bare wire.

I use Banana plugs on the receiver end, because I'm still playing around with my setup and it's easier to work with. I use Spades on my speakers, because I (personal opinion) beleive it makes for a more solid connection.

Do what you want...just do it right!

John

[Kryptron]

Originally Posted by John72953

If you pay attention to how you connect wire to either your receiver/pre-pro/speakers, it'll make no difference as to whether you use bare wire, banana plugs or spades. Doing it RIGHT will eliminate any concerns that have been previously stated.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with connecting any componant using bare wire.

I use Banana plugs on the receiver end, because I'm still playing around with my setup and it's easier to work with. I use Spades on my speakers, because I (personal opinion) beleive it makes for a more solid connection.

Do what you want...just do it right!

John

Well said.

[MJailme]

They are today's deal on monopice. $.97 a piece. Got them a couple months ago at the same price. can't beat it.

http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...seq=1&format=2

[EigeSan]

Yay to close type! I agree with everyone here. Open screw banana plugs are used generally for space restrictions.

Originally Posted by Durentis

It was suggested to me a while back that having all that exposed metal on the back of your receiver is a pretty serious short circuit risk. You could always cover them in liquid rubber, I suppose, but you're probably better off looking elsewhere until Monoprice comes up with some safer plugs.

I have read this concern as well. Personally for me I haven't had any problems. Some have suggested to those who find it bothersome to cover the metal parts of the banana plugs with rubber shrink tubes.

[95pgtproject]

Originally Posted by MJailme

They are today's deal on monopice. $.97 a piece. Got them a couple months ago at the same price. can't beat it.

http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...seq=1&format=2

its to bad those are the open screw type, the closed screw type looks much cleaner if you have the room...

[tlmaclennan]

Here are the cosed screw ones. Though, a bit more.

http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...seq=1&format=2

[MJailme]

Originally Posted by 95pgtproject

its to bad those are the open screw type, the closed screw type looks much cleaner if you have the room...

Did not notice that. The ones I got few months back were the closed screw.

[Jorge Cordeiro]

you guys are really lucky
here in Portugal i CAN NOT buy them under 6 dollars each!
sucks because i really wanted to.