Banana plugs

2»

Comments

  • Glowrdr
    Glowrdr Posts: 1,103
    edited March 2011
    Not to hijack - but I'm thinking about going with the GLS, just unsure of locking or not. I understand the concept of the locking and that seems to be the way to go. Is there any harm in plugging in a banana jack, and "expanding" the plug inside of it? Id be a little leary of breaking something inside of the receiver or speaker. Is this a non-issue as long as I tell Hulk to stay the hell away from my stuff?

    Looking at buying a new TV/Audio stand (Salamander?) and will be re-wiring at that time.
    65" Sony X900 (XBR-65X900E)
    Pioneer Elite SC-37
    Polk Monitor 70's (2)
    Polk Monitor 40's (4)
    Polk Monitor CS2
    Polk DSW Pro 660wi
    Oppo BDP-93
    Squeezebox Duet
    Belkin PureAV PF60
    Dish Network "The Hoppa"
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • ben62670
    ben62670 Posts: 15,969
    edited March 2011
    The locking mechanism is not really adjustable while it is plugged in. What I do is expand the plug till it fit tight and then push it in. The way it works is more like it is adjustable rather than locking. Still they are the best plugs I have used.
    Please. Please contact me a ben62670 @ yahoo.com. Make sure to include who you are, and you are from Polk so I don't delete your email. Also I am now physically unable to work on any projects. If you need help let these guys know. There are many people who will help if you let them know where you are.
    Thanks
    Ben
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,596
    edited March 2011
    Glowrdr wrote: »
    Not to hijack - but I'm thinking about going with the GLS, just unsure of locking or not. I understand the concept of the locking and that seems to be the way to go. Is there any harm in plugging in a banana jack, and "expanding" the plug inside of it? Id be a little leary of breaking something inside of the receiver or speaker. Is this a non-issue as long as I tell Hulk to stay the hell away from my stuff?

    Should be. I choose the locking for the extra diameter they have. The cables I am going to buy are 4 strand and if I end up with 2 connectors together + speaker pants it was going to be a very thick cable.

    The Black Chrome ones should work ok as well as a cheaper option....
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,596
    edited March 2011
    Regarding break-in I plan to get the cables tonight after work and have them installed by 8 or 9. Then when I am at work going to put it on the radio. So by the time I do any testing (Saturday) they will have had more than ~50+ hours on them.....

    nm...just say the 80... thought it said 40 at first...
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Glowrdr
    Glowrdr Posts: 1,103
    edited March 2011
    ben62670 wrote: »
    The locking mechanism is not really adjustable while it is plugged in. What I do is expand the plug till it fit tight and then push it in. The way it works is more like it is adjustable rather than locking. Still they are the best plugs I have used.

    Makes sense. Reading the product description, it almost seemed to me like it was telling me to expand it inside of my receiver for maximum connection. I couldn't fathom that being good for a whole lot once you split apart the innerds of your AVR. Thanks for the quick responses.
    65" Sony X900 (XBR-65X900E)
    Pioneer Elite SC-37
    Polk Monitor 70's (2)
    Polk Monitor 40's (4)
    Polk Monitor CS2
    Polk DSW Pro 660wi
    Oppo BDP-93
    Squeezebox Duet
    Belkin PureAV PF60
    Dish Network "The Hoppa"
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Glowrdr
    Glowrdr Posts: 1,103
    edited March 2011
    EndersShadow wrote: »
    The Black Chrome ones should work ok as well as a cheaper option....

    I had thought about this, but since I'll be needing 28 (14 pairs) - it really makes the $16 a non-issue. I'd rather spend an extra buck and not risk any of these suckers pulling out of the back of my receiver someday. Plus, this is one of those "once-in-a-lifetime" purchases so I don't mind the extra costs. I'd rather do this then buy some 8 foot lengths of MIT, and realize a year down the road I REALLY want to move my speakers 9 feet away. :biggrin:
    65" Sony X900 (XBR-65X900E)
    Pioneer Elite SC-37
    Polk Monitor 70's (2)
    Polk Monitor 40's (4)
    Polk Monitor CS2
    Polk DSW Pro 660wi
    Oppo BDP-93
    Squeezebox Duet
    Belkin PureAV PF60
    Dish Network "The Hoppa"
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,596
    edited March 2011
    Glowrdr wrote: »
    I had thought about this, but since I'll be needing 28 (14 pairs) - it really makes the $16 a non-issue. I'd rather spend an extra buck and not risk any of these suckers pulling out of the back of my receiver someday. Plus, this is one of those "once-in-a-lifetime" purchases so I don't mind the extra costs. I'd rather do this then buy some 8 foot lengths of MIT, and realize a year down the road I REALLY want to move my speakers 9 feet away. :biggrin:

    Understand. If I had a reciever I would go with the Black Chrome on the reciever side and then the locking on the speaker lol....

    I have Monster ones but they are not the screw kind, they are like the GLS Safe Connects. Once I figure out how I am going to wire them I plan on tinning the ends of the wire, adding speaker pants and flexthread to make some pretty cables.

    So I am going to use them for other gear I have around, I just would think adjusting them at the back of the reciever would be a PITA.

    Since I have a dedicated amp its much easier for me lol...

    Either way enjoy!
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • ben62670
    ben62670 Posts: 15,969
    edited March 2011
    You adjust them, and then put them in. You don't adjust them while they are plugged in.
    Please. Please contact me a ben62670 @ yahoo.com. Make sure to include who you are, and you are from Polk so I don't delete your email. Also I am now physically unable to work on any projects. If you need help let these guys know. There are many people who will help if you let them know where you are.
    Thanks
    Ben
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,596
    edited March 2011
    ben62670 wrote: »
    You adjust them, and then put them in. You don't adjust them while they are plugged in.

    Yeah I know, but the Black Chrome dont require any adjustment lol... For me at the reciever end its going to keep being Monster Quick Connects because they plug in super fast (plus I only run my surrounds from my reciever anyway) and I have just about no room to manuever behind my entertaiment center
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • ben62670
    ben62670 Posts: 15,969
    edited March 2011
    The problem is the black ones "petals" are more prone to damaged. They are not very thick. If you are careful they are fine.
    Please. Please contact me a ben62670 @ yahoo.com. Make sure to include who you are, and you are from Polk so I don't delete your email. Also I am now physically unable to work on any projects. If you need help let these guys know. There are many people who will help if you let them know where you are.
    Thanks
    Ben
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,596
    edited March 2011
    They just arrived and man do they look sexy. Was so excited that I stripped my speaker wire last night and am going to connect them all up on my lunch at work so I can really play with them when I get home :biggrin::eek::cool:

    Thinking I am probably going to bi-wire to start with and forget my ghetto bi-amping for now....
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • stewbaca
    stewbaca Posts: 10
    edited March 2011
    Definately bi wire instead of the ghetto route.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,596
    edited March 2011
    So here is what they look like so far
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • silvertuner
    silvertuner Posts: 496
    edited March 2011
    why does one set have 2 cables each and the other is set up for bi-amp?

    some cheap free sony speakers
    psw125
    denon 1610
    3.1 channel because i hate cables ran across the living room like that
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,596
    edited March 2011
    silvertuner wrote: »
    why does one set have 2 cables each and the other is set up for bi-amp?

    The one with 2 cables each is for the center, the others (made two) are setup for my fronts...

    plan to connect them up today.
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • silvertuner
    silvertuner Posts: 496
    edited March 2011
    ahh gotcha

    some cheap free sony speakers
    psw125
    denon 1610
    3.1 channel because i hate cables ran across the living room like that
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,596
    edited March 2011
    silvertuner wrote: »
    ahh gotcha

    thought I would just get one type of cable so later on if I get a better center I can bi-wire I dont need to purchase any new wire, just re-terminate the ends....
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • DON73
    DON73 Posts: 516
    edited March 2011
    EndersShadow wrote: »
    How long do you think break in will take hour wise?[/QUOTE




    Depends on how smart the electrons are in your system. The first time they go through the wire they have to find their way down an unfamiliar path. It gets easier and quicker overtime after that for them to make the journey. Fast music breaks them in much faster than slow stuff. Most classical music doesn't work unless your wire is made in Europe. Play it as loud as you can and that'll get them little lectrons up off their butts and movin.
    TO ERR IS HUMAN. TO FORGIVE IS CANINE.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • txcoastal1
    txcoastal1 Posts: 13,338
    edited March 2011
    DON73 wrote: »
    EndersShadow wrote: »
    How long do you think break in will take hour wise?[/QUOTE




    Depends on how smart the electrons are in your system. The first time they go through the wire they have to find their way down an unfamiliar path. It gets easier and quicker overtime after that for them to make the journey. Fast music breaks them in much faster than slow stuff. Most classical music doesn't work unless your wire is made in Europe. Play it as loud as you can and that'll get them little lectrons up off their butts and movin.

    I made extension cables out of mine first ran then turned them into speaker cables to cook those lil' electron ****:biggrin:....by the way would that work...hmmmm
    2-channel: Modwright KWI-200 Integrated, Dynaudio C1-II Signatures
    Desktop rig: LSi7, Polk 110sub, Dayens Ampino amp, W4S DAC/pre, Sonos, JRiver
    Gear on standby: Melody 101 tube pre, Unison Research Simply Italy Integrated
    Gone to new homes: (Matt Polk's)Threshold Stasis SA12e monoblocks, Pass XA30.5 amp, Usher MD2 speakers, Dynaudio C4 platinum speakers, Modwright LS100 (voltz), Simaudio 780D DAC

    erat interfectorem cesar et **** dictatorem dicere a
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • drselect
    drselect Posts: 664
    edited March 2011
    DON73 wrote: »
    Depends on how smart the electrons are in your system. .

    JUUSST CAAAANT REEESISTTTT.

    What is the unit of measure used to determine the smartness of an electron?:eek::biggrin::eek::biggrin::eek:

    To the OP thanks for starting the thread. I have been thinking about getting some banana plugs and the link/info in this thread help push me over the edge. I order some of the gls locking should be here next week.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • kappclark
    kappclark Posts: 136
    edited May 2011
    virtualdean wrote: »
    you wont go wrong with the GLS lockables..
    Just to add another option on some good looking lockable bananas..:

    "Locking" Banana Plugs:
    Fastens to wire using set screws;
    "locking" collar tightens plug to binding post.
    Item Price
    Locking Banana plugs, Gold-plated, red/black pair 5.25

    Blue Jeans Cable.

    Thank you for recommending -- I just installed a pair of the locking bananas, and I do notice an improvement to the sound .. I was not expecting any change, but it was right there..

    I am using 14G speaker wire (Parts express no BJC)...I do like the double set screw design, and they are well - made ..
    *************************
    ** Bill Clark Windham, VT **
    *************************
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • audiocr381ve
    audiocr381ve Posts: 2,588
    edited May 2011
    jinjuku wrote: »
    That's a decent price on the Nak's. They are the same as the GLS. Also check out Knukonceptz

    eKs-BP1.JPG

    I tried those Banana's. Felt and looked very cheap. I remember having problems with the screws to lock the wire in place as well. I'd steer clear of these ones.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • bsoko2
    bsoko2 Posts: 1,449
    edited May 2011
    Blue Jeans has locking bananas for 5.25 per pair. These a german made and are the slim design and are the best that I have found so far. Nicely made and screw down with no problems. http://www.bluejeanscable.com/store/speaker/index.htm
    My 2012 HT Room - http://www.avsforum.com/t/1416077/bsoko2-new-ht-june-2012
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter