Will these plugs work with 16G wire??

propman07

Hello-

I was doing some research on banana plugs on the message board, and I ended up buying a pair of these GLS plugs.



I also purchased some Acoustic Research 16 gauge speaker wire.

Both items arrived today, and when I went to check the plugs, it looks like they are way too big for the speaker wire. It looks like I could get at least three or four speaker wires into the base of each plug. (The bottom of the photo)

Are these going to work to connect the speakers?

Thanks for the help.

michael_w

They should be just fine but you might consider doing what they recommend and fold the bare wire over before you put it in and screw it down just so that it is fatter, has more contact area and makes a more solid connection.

mantis

They look like very nice ends.

Dan

McLoki

Those are the same plugs that I am using with 10ga. wire. They will work with 16ga. but as already mentioned, you should fold the stripped end of the wire before you put it in the plug.

Michael

propman07

michael_w, mantis, and McLoki-

Thanks for the replies. I'll keep the folding over of the wire in mind when I install them.

McLoki- If I may ask, why are you running 10G wire? I'm looking at around 30-35 feet for my surrounds, but that is the furthest distance I will be running. I'm using Polk FXi3s.

TIA

McLoki

propman07 wrote:

McLoki- If I may ask, why are you running 10G wire? I'm looking at around 30-35 feet for my surrounds, but that is the furthest distance I will be running. I'm using Polk FXi3s.

My distances are not that great (only about 24 feet) but they run through the plenum of a gas fireplace. The 10ga. wire I used was not that expensive (about .57 / foot) and it was the only cable that Blue Jeans Cable sells that is plenum rated.

I am running from a large amp to 4 ohm speakers and I did hear a pretty big difference. Oddly enough mostly in the 7' run to my SVS sub. (runs off my amp) I went from 16-18ga cable (dont remember which) to the 10ga. Bass seems much more controlled now.

I was happy with the upgrade for the cost.

For the surrounds, I am going to run 12ga wire. (I have not ordered it yet) since it is in-wall rated (but not plenum) and a little cheaper at .39 / foot...

Michael