Problems with better cables

gregure

So I need some advice. I rushed out and bought some better cables brand speaker cable for my mains and center, bi-wire terminated at one end, both ends with banana. After careful examination of my receiver, however (I know, should have done so first--live and learn) I see that I cannot connect banana plugs to my speaker input terminals. The Onkyo 701 only allows for bare wire connections. Pretty chincy on an $800 receiver. So, I think I'm going to have to return the better cables (still on their way) before even using them. Should I return them, or can I strip one end and use bare wire into the reciever? I suppose I can always reattach bananas if I ever upgrade receivers, but will these cables allow for bare wire usage? Any advice or tales of experience would be appreciated.

I thought the Onkyo would be compatable with bananas, because the backs of the plastic speaker terminal knobs have a small metal indentation that look like connectors, but they aren't, bananas don't go in more than just a tiny bit. Ugh!
Thanks.

nemos2

Having a few better cables, I would call better cables tomorrow and let them know ASAP. They may be able to change the order before it is shipped. If not Better cables should be more than happy to send you out new cables. I have delt with better cables before, and they have great customer support. It should not be a problem. They are pretty good guys overthere...

Ian

HBombToo

what he said... exchange pin for bannana but keep the cable.
h

gregure

Thanks guys, your input sets my mind at ease a bit. I've already emailed better cables, waiting for a reply. The order has shipped, unfortunately, but hopefully they'll be able to give me some good feedback. I knew I'd get a quicker response here, though, so thanks. Question, though: what does "exchange pin for banana" mean? Does that just mean strip the wire? Thanks again.

Greg

dorokusai

I will suggest you ignore HBomb, since he signed off with just an "h"......you never know what state he's in at that point.

They are on there way, let them know they are incorrect, and work out a swap. If they are worth a shite, they will accomodate you....if not, return them for 100% refund....and find another brand.

Get bananas...skip the pins.

PolkWannabie

Since I have elsewhere in the house an Onkyo TXNR801 which does take bananas, I was surprised to read your post stating that the 701 doesn't.

But then when looking at the picture from the Onkyo site ...

Doesn't your receiver's binding posts look like the ones on the 701 on their page ? They sure look like they take bananas.

PolkWannabie

Also the features list on several sites including Onkyo's lists bananas as an option ...

Maybe you just need to PUSH HARDER ...

http://www.onkyousa.com/model.cfm?m=TX-SR701&p=f&class=Receiver

Other Features
Dot-Matrix Display
Display Dimmer 3 Levels
Pure Audio Mode
Dual Banana Plug Compatible Speaker Terminals All Terminals
Sleep Timer (90 minutes; 10-min steps)
Phono Input
Headphone Jack
Zone 2 (Multisource) Line Out Line/Pre Out
Powered Zone 2
12 Volt Trigger 1 (Zone 2)
A/B Speaker Drive

http://ww1.onecall.com/PID_19264.htm

gregure

Well, I knew some of you might have similar Onkyo's, so if you say it works, I'll try again. I actually was trying at a Circuit City on a floor model 801 (the same terminals as 701), the salesman was nice enough to open a pack of bananas so we could try. We both tried, and the damn things just didn't want to go in. These were the basic banana plugs that fit onto speaker wire, so it would seem they don't fit. But I'll try again when the cables get here. I was hesitant to push too hard at CC, as it was not my unit I was experimenting on. Thanks again guys. It's always reassuring to come on the sight and be helped through ignorance in these matters, rather than insulted.

PolkWannabie

I can't speak for the particular bananas you had in hand ... However most of the decent ones do provide a tight fit ... This is a GOOD thing. You have to push them hard enough to compress the bulge in the middle of the plug so if they are fairly sturdy this will take a little oomph,

scottnbnj

uh,.. i'm not familiar with your gear, but did you try to unscrew(remove) the nut and look to see if there is a cap inside it that pops out? i know some gear(lsi's for example) is set up like that.

good luck.

)

PhantomOG

my lowly (compared to yours) TX-SR600 takes banana plugs just fine.

I can't imagine Onkyo making a higher end model like the 701 incompatible with something as common and widespread as banana plugs.

gmorris

I also have the Onkyo TX-SR601. It WILL take banana plugs, and I'm sure your 701 will too. I have 2 different brands of banana plugs on my 601, both fit just fine.

The plastic nut on the back of the Onk will not screw off completely. The binding posts are NOT compatible with spade lugs. (just FYI)

When your cables arrive, try them out. I'm sure they will fit. Like everyone said before, they have to be pushed in with a slight amout of force, they don't just slip in.

PolkThug

The Monster Bananas fit in mine.

Regards,
PT

gregure

Thanks all for the feedback. I did not realize so much force was required to get them in, and neither did the Circuit City salesman. One would think that they should know that stuff, or why the hell are they working there? Anyway, I'll try it out when the cables come (tomorrow if UPS is on time) and post a message describing the outcome. Thanks.
Greg

PolkWannabie

Originally posted by gregure
One would think that they should know that stuff, or why the hell are they working there?

Ya think ? Places like CC, BB et al are fine if you know what you want before you walk through the front door, if you're lookin for semi-educated help you're in the wrong place.

reeltrouble1

The Banana ends should work just fine, if they do not call ONK customer service cuz something is amiss.

You may want to go back after you get them plugged up and advise your nice salesperson before he misleads others.:D

gregure

My Better Cables speaker cables arrived today: Wow, what a difference. First of all, and I know many of you think it doesn't make a difference, I got the bi-wired ends for the speaker input end, which saved me the trouble of having to connect the two posts with banana-ended speaker wire. The sound is definitely better, with mids coming out a little clearer and bass is definitely a bit richer. This is probably because of the upgrade in cables (from Monster XP), but it may also be due to bi-wiring, who knows? I was really hoping the sibilance would be tamed, and it is a bit better, but there is still some harshness in movie dialogue reproduction. Thanks again to everyone for helping me through my panic mode when I first thought my Onkyo wouldn't take the bananas. That really pissed me off to think I couldn't connect these new cables after I bought them. But all is well. They even make it easy, in that the pin going into the bananas can be screwed in or out, which makes it very easy to slip the plugs right in and then tighten in place. Only thing: these cables are very stiff and so a bit difficult to manage, especially if you're limited on space in the back of the receiver, or are not utilizing the full length for one or more of the speakers. I'm still very pleased with the purchase, and ever thankful of all of the advice. Incidentally, Better Cables service people told me if the bananas didn't work, just put the pin through the bare wire connection hole. That, however would have been impossible, given that the pin is like 2 inches long, and the wire would be too stiff to place correctly, given that the Onkyo speaker terminals are stacked on top of one another.

nemos2

Glad to hear that things worked out well. Even if the cables would not have worked, Brad at bettercables is great. So.... But I am glad that things worked out. Better cables have a great product, and I love mine.

PolkWannabie

Originally posted by gregure
given that the Onkyo speaker terminals are stacked on top of one another.

Really ... Grrrrr ... PITA

jefft1314

Not everybody at circuit city don't know what they're talking about. Perhaps as a generalization that can be true, but it isn't completey true. I feel like I know a good amount of information, I definteily provide enough to allow the customer to make wise informed decision. There is a reason as to why I have one of the lower return rates in my store. Now if only I could sell more warranties and more expensive cables, only then would my management think I'm worth anything. So I'd probably suggest that if you do shop at circuit city and do you encounter a good employee, seek out his manager and tell his manager how happy you are to have encountered a sales man who actually knew what he was talking about, and then tell him that you plan on sending all of your friends into see the sales man.