Banana Plugs? Which Ones?

janmike
janmike Posts: 6,146
edited January 2005 in Basic Hookup/Wiring Questions
There are more banana plugs out there than you could shake a stick at. I am going to be using 12 gu wire. What should I look for and be aware of when deciding what plugs to purchase? Should I only go with 24K?
Thanks
Michael ;)
In the beginning, all knowledge was new!
NORTH of 60°
Post edited by janmike on
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  • bknauss
    bknauss Posts: 1,441
    edited December 2004
    Someone might disagree, but I'd suggest getting something with the best contact between the wire and the little screws. Most of the screws are flat and nicely "mash" the strands, but Monster banana plugs, at least the one line I've used before, is a spike. How does a spike make a tight contact to lots of strands of wire? Beats me! Stupid wires always slipped out with a slight tug.

    Also, depending upon equipment, some of the banana inputs are not the "standard" distance between positive and negative, so you can't use those nice dual plugs. You'd then have to choose the crimp style single ones, or something of that sort.

    Parts Express generally has some decent ones for cheap.
    Brian Knauss
    ex-Electrical Engineer for Polk
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  • amulford
    amulford Posts: 5,020
    edited December 2004
    I bought some of these. Gold plated, inexspensive, and easy to use. Two screw each are rounded and mash nicely, holds the wire quite well. The plastic covers are okay and cover well.

    Cables to Go speaker banana plugs
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  • Codey
    Codey Posts: 188
    edited December 2004
    I bought some of these. Gold plated, inexspensive, and easy to use. Two screw each are rounded and mash nicely, holds the wire quite well. The plastic covers are okay and cover well.

    I got some of those and hate them. The tip spins independently from the body resulting in poor contact. One of my surrounds kept cutting out, and sure enough it was that stupid plug. But that's just my experience with them.

    I haven't seen them in person, but they're cheap, they lock, and they look like they're decent quality. I've placed an order but I won't be able to tell how they for awhile as they're coming from Hong Kong.

    http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=32838&item=5735520823&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

    Outlaw 950
    GFA-555
    GFA-545
    GFA-2535
    RTi8s
    CSi5
    FXi3s
    214L Vented Tempest
    250w BASH amp
    Toshiba HDA1
    Toshiba 44" DLP
    NAD 533 Turntable
    Tripplite HT3100
    Xbox 360
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  • janmike
    janmike Posts: 6,146
    edited December 2004
    I went to Radio Shack and they wanted $13.00 for 2. I'm looking for 28 and I want fairly good ones. I seen some (qty-28) on ebay for $45 US, but didn't know if they were any good.

    Just trying to get connected with some of the new gear and additional RTi'38's coming on Monday.

    ebay Banana Plugs
    Michael ;)
    In the beginning, all knowledge was new!
    NORTH of 60°
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  • Codey
    Codey Posts: 188
    edited December 2004
    Do you really need 28? I'm just going to use my plugs on the receiver and amp side, then just tin the bare wire and use that for the speaker side. Every extra connection is a possible failure point.

    Outlaw 950
    GFA-555
    GFA-545
    GFA-2535
    RTi8s
    CSi5
    FXi3s
    214L Vented Tempest
    250w BASH amp
    Toshiba HDA1
    Toshiba 44" DLP
    NAD 533 Turntable
    Tripplite HT3100
    Xbox 360
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  • janmike
    janmike Posts: 6,146
    edited December 2004
    No I don't need 28. I thought it might be easier to connect all 7 speakers down the road. I wish I had some now as I'm going through that hookup/testing/moving things around stage. If I had them all connected, relocation would be that much easier. But, potential failure points is key. I would rather spend a little more $ to get a secure connection if possible. The ones for $1.29 at Radio Shack didn't impress me at all/ Maybe I'm just being lazy.
    Michael ;)
    In the beginning, all knowledge was new!
    NORTH of 60°
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  • Codey
    Codey Posts: 188
    edited December 2004
    You can do all your hook up and testing with the bare wire, then just install the plugs when they show up in the mail.

    Outlaw 950
    GFA-555
    GFA-545
    GFA-2535
    RTi8s
    CSi5
    FXi3s
    214L Vented Tempest
    250w BASH amp
    Toshiba HDA1
    Toshiba 44" DLP
    NAD 533 Turntable
    Tripplite HT3100
    Xbox 360
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  • janmike
    janmike Posts: 6,146
    edited December 2004
    That's what I have been doing. I'm just having a problem with the Line Level connection on the RTi100's, so I have had the wire on & off several times. The banana plug thing was something when everything arrives.
    Michael ;)
    In the beginning, all knowledge was new!
    NORTH of 60°
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  • Willow
    Willow Posts: 11,041
    edited December 2004
    I use thecompression style and find they work well with lots of contact...I just have to add some shrink tube to make them perrty...
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  • Whadyasay
    Whadyasay Posts: 300
    edited December 2004
    Look up this guy's auctions on ebay. I got the set of 28. They are screw-together, compression type and they are a perfect fit for 12 GA wire.

    http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=5728885883&ssPageName=STRK:MEWN:IT
    Polk LSi9 Mains, Polk LSIC Center, Polk RT25i Surrounds, Polk M3II Rear Surround, SVS PB10-ISD Sub, Denon AVR 2809 (as digital pre/pro only), Sony BDP-S350, Oppo DV-981HD, Cambridge Audio Azur 540C (CD), Marantz MM9000 5-ch amp, Outlaw ICBM, Panasonic th-42PX85u HDTV, Behringer BFD Pro, Monster Power HTS 2600 Conditioner
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  • OnTheSpot
    OnTheSpot Posts: 2
    edited January 2005
    Does anyone know anything about these Banana Plugs?

    2 red 2 black , 4 for $5.35

    parts express
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  • Whadyasay
    Whadyasay Posts: 300
    edited January 2005
    Those should work fine for anything.
    Polk LSi9 Mains, Polk LSIC Center, Polk RT25i Surrounds, Polk M3II Rear Surround, SVS PB10-ISD Sub, Denon AVR 2809 (as digital pre/pro only), Sony BDP-S350, Oppo DV-981HD, Cambridge Audio Azur 540C (CD), Marantz MM9000 5-ch amp, Outlaw ICBM, Panasonic th-42PX85u HDTV, Behringer BFD Pro, Monster Power HTS 2600 Conditioner
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  • Tropic-Al
    Tropic-Al Posts: 44
    edited January 2005
    I purchased a real nice looking set of bananas @ Orange County Speaker-all metal and a good fit. Did I mention they were REALLY good looking?http://www.speakerrepair.com

    Parts Express is also fantastic!! Customer service is second to none!http://www.partsexpress.com :p
    Sony STRDA-5000ES
    Sony TA-N110 X 2
    SONY CDP-CX205
    SONY CDP-CX400
    JVC XV-FA902SL
    JVC AV-65WP74
    JBL PB12 ( Sub )
    POLK RTi-12 (Mains)
    POLK CSi-5 (Center)
    Infinity US1 x 4 (Rear surrounds)
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  • Mjr7531
    Mjr7531 Posts: 856
    edited January 2005
    Originally posted by Tropic-Al

    Parts Express is also fantastic!! Customer service is second to none!http://www.partsexpress.com :p
    Maybe second to Polk! :D
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  • Iamgod
    Iamgod Posts: 8
    edited January 2005
    Originally posted by OnTheSpot
    Does anyone know anything about these Banana Plugs?

    2 red 2 black , 4 for $5.35

    parts express

    i have some like that works very good.
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