Banana Advice

RVJII
RVJII Posts: 167
edited April 2004 in Basic Hookup/Wiring Questions
Going to try my hand at some DIY speaker cables. Picked up some Canare Quad 4S11 that I am going to use for Shotgun bi-wire cables. I've been trying to figure out what kind of connectors to use as the price spread is pretty wide.

Been looking at these:

Compression Style

WBT Midline

Monster

Locking

Any advice? Does it really make a huge difference?
A lack of planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part...
Post edited by RVJII on
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  • Willow
    Willow Posts: 11,040
    edited April 2004
    I use the compression ones just bought them last Thursday, seem to work fine the fit and finnish is nice and they have a good weight to them don't feel cheap
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  • gmorris
    gmorris Posts: 1,179
    edited April 2004
    I also use the compression style form Parts Express. They work just fine.

    I also use the Black & Red 3:1 heat shrink tubing. Just makes it look even cooler, more professional.

    Here are the links to the correct sizes of heat shrink.

    http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/pshowdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=080-640

    http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/pshowdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=080-641
    Bob Mayo, on the keyboards. Bob Mayo.
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  • RVJII
    RVJII Posts: 167
    edited April 2004
    Great info...thanks.

    What size tech flex would you use to cover the cables? Since I am doing them shotgun style there will be 8x14AWG per cable. (ie. 4 pairs of 11AWG.)
    A lack of planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part...
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  • Willow
    Willow Posts: 11,040
    edited April 2004

    Gmorris said -
    I also use the compression style form Parts Express. They work just fine.

    I also use the Black & Red 3:1 heat shrink tubing. Just makes it look even cooler, more professional.

    Here are the links to the correct sizes of heat shrink.


    Do you have pics of your banana plugs ??
    I'd like to see'em if you do
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  • gmorris
    gmorris Posts: 1,179
    edited April 2004
    willow,

    I had posted pics in the other thread we were talking about plugs in. But, since then I've added the heat shrink tubing. I'll try to get some pics tonight, and post them.

    As far as the tech flex, I'm not sure, as I'm not familiar with that product. Is it available from Parts Express? If so, just measure the diameter of your finished cable, then figure out which size you will need.
    Bob Mayo, on the keyboards. Bob Mayo.
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  • stereo55
    stereo55 Posts: 418
    edited April 2004
    I purchased 50+ banana plugs from speakerrepair.com on ebay HERE , and am VERY happy with the quality product(s) I purchased and the xint service Ive recieved .
    Here are few types of connectors Ive purchased that work xint and look nice too ...

    LINKY
    LINKY #2
    LINKY #3

    (*NOTE* the pictures really do not do them justice , they're much nicer looking/quality in person)



    My .02 ;):D
    SDA-2B's ~ Pair SDA-CRS's ~ ,*** Main listening: Maggies MG1 ~ Polk SDA 2B's ~ Monitor 10's , 3-pairs (2 pairs moded into SDA's w/SDA-2B/CRS cross-overs) , * DCM TF600's * Mission M71/M72 *** Main brdrm FRT: RTiA-5's /Presence RTi-4 / LSI-704 Cntr / Rear FXI3's ~~~ Assorted Main listening rm : , 2- Heathkit W-5M /tube mono blocks (Parasound P/HP-850)* * 2- Altec Lansing 1590b's/mono blocks (Yamaha C-45) * CM Labs 35D * Dynaco ST-70 ~ Occasionally ~* Yamaha CR-820/A-760 ,* Sansui AU-317/AU-217 * Carver 900 rec *2-Dynaco ST 120* 1 Hafler DH-220* Marantz 1040 ... more
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  • RVJII
    RVJII Posts: 167
    edited April 2004
    Thanks for the info!

    Look like great plugs and they can handle really "beefy" wire. Just ordered 20 locking and 20 regular.
    A lack of planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part...
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  • gmorris
    gmorris Posts: 1,179
    edited April 2004
    willow,

    I posted my pics in another thread. see here: http://clubpolk.polkaudio.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&postid=172900#post172900
    Bob Mayo, on the keyboards. Bob Mayo.
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  • Willow
    Willow Posts: 11,040
    edited April 2004
    thanks those are nice !!
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  • PolkWannabie
    PolkWannabie Posts: 2,763
    edited April 2004
    Originally posted by stereo55
    I purchased 50+ banana plugs from speakerrepair.com on ebay
    Regarding his locking bananas, his ad says that they accomodate up to 2 AWG. Is that for real ? What size wire are you running into them ? Below what size AWG does the wire need to be folded ? Do you know if he has comparable spades ? He doesn't list any.
    Rick
    HT+ Sunfire TG IV, Dual CG Sig II's, CinePro 1K2, Oppo 981, Audio Technica PL120, Polk SRT's & F/X1000's, Samsung 71" DLP
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  • RVJII
    RVJII Posts: 167
    edited April 2004
    I am going to be running 2x11AWG into each at the amp end and 1x11AWG at the speaker end. (Shotgun bi-wire setup) I talked to the guy and he said that they should be just fine. I wasn't sure and thought that they might be too big for the speaker end so I spent the extra $24 to get 20 of the plugs that are good down to 10AWG.

    I should have them in a few days and I'll let you know for sure then.

    If nothing else, this will be a fun and relatively inexpensive project.
    A lack of planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part...
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  • RVJII
    RVJII Posts: 167
    edited April 2004
    The diameter on the locking plugs is just under 5/8".
    A lack of planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part...
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