Stupid Question: Why are they called "5-way" binding posts?
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KayMan2
Posts: 16
Hi there,
I new to high-end audio and big speakers so this question may seem silly to the experts: Right now I have taken 12-gauge ofc copper wire, stripped the end and wrapped it around the binding posts of my Polk RTi12 speakers. Same goes on the receiver side.
Today when I was cruising around a high-end audio store, I noticed for the first time that they had crimped the wire in a u-shaped flat (Spade?) plug. That made me wonder: Why are the binding posts called "5-way"? Are there 5-ways of using them? Which one is the recommended method for large speakers?
Thank you!
I new to high-end audio and big speakers so this question may seem silly to the experts: Right now I have taken 12-gauge ofc copper wire, stripped the end and wrapped it around the binding posts of my Polk RTi12 speakers. Same goes on the receiver side.
Today when I was cruising around a high-end audio store, I noticed for the first time that they had crimped the wire in a u-shaped flat (Spade?) plug. That made me wonder: Why are the binding posts called "5-way"? Are there 5-ways of using them? Which one is the recommended method for large speakers?
Thank you!
Retired
Post edited by KayMan2 on
Comments
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bare wire (wrap around or through the holes), pin connectors (through the holes) spade lugs, banana plugs... and some other way :-P
The fifth way may be the two options for bare wire.
There's no 'best' way as far as I am concerned - that said I like banana plugs. Heck, I'll admit it - when the (US) standard 3/4" spacing is used, I like dual banana plugs.
Spade lugs are good. Pin connectors are good. Stripped/tinned twisted wire is good. -
Aha, got it! I think my bare-wire twist is resulting in some frizzled ends so I will take a look at Banana plugs or other connectors.Retired
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I always wondered what the 5 ways were too. LOL
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I always go for 3 way bindings.
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You missed dual bananaDan
My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time. -
Banana, spade, eyelet, bare wire, pin.Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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I like to tin just the very tip of stripped, twisted wire. That keep the wires from spraying out all over the place. But tinning the whole exposed area doesn't seem that great to me -- the oxidized solder surface is a lousy conductor as opposed to bare copper.
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Wire that is going to be crimped down on....screw terminals, crank down speaker clamps, or whatever form, cannot get a good connection on stranded wire that has solder flowed completely into it! Military regulation for instance, specifically disallow that type of connection.
Try to get a good, long lasting connection on a speaker cable fully flowed with solder...it just can't clamp down properly! You'll find yourself back in the future trying again and again to retighten it! Tinning the very end and then sticking that end beyond the clamp is a much more appropriate way to deal with fly away ends. Not to mention not stripping back beyond what's necessary.
CJA so called science type proudly says... "I do realize that I would fool myself all the time, about listening conclusions and many other observations, if I did listen before buying. That’s why I don’t, I bought all of my current gear based on technical parameters alone, such as specs and measurements." -
Rock, paper, scissors.
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TRy Lowe's. low $. Remember to buy a small flat blade screwdriver while you're there. You'll need one to connect them to your wire up to 8ga!Aha, got it! I think my bare-wire twist is resulting in some frizzled ends so I will take a look at Banana plugs or other connectors.
tonySamsung 60" UN60ES6100 LED Outlaw Audio 976 Pre/Pro Samsung BDP, Amazon Firestick, Phillips CD Changer Canare 14 ga - LCR tweeters inside*; Ctr Ch outside BJC 10 ga - LCR mids, inside* & out 8 ga Powerline: LR woofers, inside* & out *soldered LR: Tri-amped RTi A7 w/Rotels. Woofers - 980BX; Tweets & “Plugged*” Mids - 981, connected w/MP Premiere ICs Ctr Ch: Rotel RB981 -> Bi-amped CSi A6 Surrounds: Premiere ICs ->Rotel 981 -> AR 12 ga -> RTi A3. 5 Subs: Sunfire True SW Signature -> LFE & Ctr Ch; 4 Audio Pro Evidence @ the “Corners”. Power Conditioning & Distribution: 4 dedicated 20A feeds; APC H15; 5 Furman Miniport 20s *Xschop's handy work -
The correct answer is banana, spade, pin, bare wire and alligator clips.Political Correctness'.........defined
"A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."
President of Club Polk -
The correct answer is banana, spade, pin, bare wire and alligator clips.
WRONG,
dual banana is the correct answer
bare wire , Spade , Pins , banana and DUAL BANANA , this is what makes a 5 way binding post a 5 way binding post. You don't use Alligator clips for speakers. Could you? Sure but it's not technically the reason a 5 way binding post is called a 5 way binding post. Who told you that?Dan
My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time. -
I think Jess is refering to an original definition, but in reality....who the heck uses alligator clips for anything audio ? If they did, you'd see a market for upgraded MIT alligator clips.
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Pretty common fare in electronic bench testing and development. At least they used to be.
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WRONG,
dual banana is the correct answer
bare wire , Spade , Pins , banana and DUAL BANANA , this is what makes a 5 way binding post a 5 way binding post. You don't use Alligator clips for speakers. Could you? Sure but it's not technically the reason a 5 way binding post is called a 5 way binding post. Who told you that?
No Dan, I am not wrong.
5 way binding posts were invented by the General Radio Company and in their brochure they list alligator clips as one of the 5 connection options.
Dual banana plugs are not an option on many speakers or other pieces of gear.Political Correctness'.........defined
"A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."
President of Club Polk -
Speakers
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5-way ===> Spaghetti, chili, shredded cheddar cheese, diced onion and red beans...
Oh.. binding posts... nevermind...
LOL... but if alligator clips count, we must now call the posts 6-way......who the heck uses alligator clips for anything audio ? If they did, you'd see a market for upgraded MIT alligator clips.
And my dual nanners fit every amp and speaker I have that was made in roughly the late-70's and later... plus a few earlier models. 60's stuff mostly had screw terminals for spades or bare wire... or alligator clips, I guess...
Oh, and the Cincinnati Chili??? No way is the only way... Nasty stuff it is...More later,
Tour...
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I do, sometimes. :cheesygrin:but in reality....who the heck uses alligator clips for anything audio ?
"He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche -
Thats not how I learned it from many different speaker company's. They all quoted Dual banana's as the 5th connection for a try 5 way binding posts. I asked these very questions Decades ago and thats the same answer I got.No Dan, I am not wrong.
5 way binding posts were invented by the General Radio Company and in their brochure they list alligator clips as one of the 5 connection options.
Dual banana plugs are not an option on many speakers or other pieces of gear.
never have I seen Alligator clips being used on 5 way binding posts on speakers. It's amazing how so many say one thing and others claim another.Dan
My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time. -
This is from Steve's link to Wiki (they could be wrong):cheesygrin:
Commonly designed in a style called five-way or universal, such binding posts allow the connection of several different types of connections:
1. Banana plugs, inserted into the open end of the binding post
2. Pin connectors, inserted into a hole drilled through the metal post and clamped by the screw- down portion of the binding post.
3. Bare wire inserted through the same hole and clamped, or
4. Wrapped around the metal post and clamped.
5. A lug terminal inserted around the metal post and clamped.
The binding post was a commercial invention of the General Radio Corporation.
I think the OP get's the point. Let's move on!Carl -
The 5 different wire connection methods for a 5-way binding post are:
1-raw wire (attached around posts, or thru post holes)
2-banana plugs (popular... quick & easy)
3-pin connectors
4-spade/fork lugs
5-ring terminals (connectors with holes that fit over posts- see pic)
Post edited by 1unc on -
Wrong....it means they will accommodate coat hanger wire....because cables don't matter.
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That’s not what the guy at Crutchfield says….I plan for the future. - F1Nut
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Heard he got fired because someone ordered a pair of Legends. Said it was just a fluke, and he wanted to go work at Best Buy anyway.I disabled signatures.
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11 years of five way binding posts.
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Some amps come w/3 way BPs that look like 5 way BPsSamsung 60" UN60ES6100 LED Outlaw Audio 976 Pre/Pro Samsung BDP, Amazon Firestick, Phillips CD Changer Canare 14 ga - LCR tweeters inside*; Ctr Ch outside BJC 10 ga - LCR mids, inside* & out 8 ga Powerline: LR woofers, inside* & out *soldered LR: Tri-amped RTi A7 w/Rotels. Woofers - 980BX; Tweets & “Plugged*” Mids - 981, connected w/MP Premiere ICs Ctr Ch: Rotel RB981 -> Bi-amped CSi A6 Surrounds: Premiere ICs ->Rotel 981 -> AR 12 ga -> RTi A3. 5 Subs: Sunfire True SW Signature -> LFE & Ctr Ch; 4 Audio Pro Evidence @ the “Corners”. Power Conditioning & Distribution: 4 dedicated 20A feeds; APC H15; 5 Furman Miniport 20s *Xschop's handy work
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They are 5 way in order to be inclusive, end of story
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My amp has 1 way binding posts.
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2-channel: Modwright KWI-200 Integrated, Dynaudio C1-II Signatures
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