Not happy with new banana connectors

Mike682

Yesterday I decided to pick up 2 pair banana plugs. I bought the crimpless 24k AR bananas. I cut the existing bare wire and re-stripped to start fresh. Set them up, tightened all and hooked them up into the receiver. Ok not bad......

Then I turn on my receiver and noticed immediately a hollow sound with voices and an overall very tinny, non dynamic sound...so I pulled out the receiver and checked connections...everything was tight and polarity was correct..

Before I yank these things out, is there anything that I did wrong?
AR says you can use these w/ 16 to 10 guage speaker wire; I am currently using 16 guage (with the intent on buying 12 guage next week). Plugs are tight and hooked up correctly...

What is causing this "hollow" sound....

Thanks in advance

Mike

My current modest lineup
H/K AVR 225
Fronts: Polk R30
Rears: Polk R20
Center: on the way
Sub: on the way

steveinaz

Sure sound like a phasing issue...but if you're sure its not:

The banana is not causing this problem. 16awg, while "acceptable" is not really ideal. Try either a heavier gauge of stranded (at least 14awg), or try a solid-core copper wire. Radio Shacks 18awg hookup wire works well and is dirt cheap. Take 2 strands (leave the insulation on) of the RS wire and wrap them together. Strip the last 1" inch. You can also triple up or even quadruple the wires and twist together. Of course solid core and twist banana's don't always work well together.

Mike682

I actually had good sound (surprisingly) with the 16 guage and when I hooked up the bananas I noticed a big (turn for the worse) difference.

When I get home from work, I will retrace the wire and double check polarity. Of all else being equal, this must be the problem

The store I bought the connectors from also have 12guage AR pro series wire 30 foot roll for $29.99. What do you think about this wire?

I will also stop at RS to check out the 18g wire you recommend. I never thought about stranding 18g together.:D

Thanks for the tip

Mike

gmorris

I would also take the Banana plugs back out, and check the sound with just the bare wire connected. Then, re-install the 'nana plugs. You want to be sure that the plugs are causing the problem.

Having said that, I have to agree with Steve & say that the problem is probably not the plugs.

steveinaz

Mike-
It could be the connectores then. Thats strange, I wouldn't think a banana connector (even a cheesey one) would cause that much difference....

Mike682

Well after I got home from work I checked everything. All seemed well.....So I yanked the bananas out re-connected the bare wire the way I had it and turned the unit back on and ...perfect.

The only thing that I can think of is that the 16g wire, although AR says you can use 16-10g wire, is too small and is not yielding a good connection. I repacked the bananas and will try again when I get better wire.