Bannana Plugs...

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EuroStyle
EuroStyle Posts: 19
edited January 2004 in Basic Hookup/Wiring Questions
I finally picked up a set of Rti70's on closeout and am working on getting them hooked up. I am using a Carver TFM15-CB to power them. I hate to say it, but I have always been an "insert the bare wire into the binding post" kind of guy....but my brother is yelling at me to use bannana plugs. What is the best method to attach them to the wire, and the best type to use for a begginer? I need to get them, and also know how to attach them to the wire...any help is appreciated...


Sean
Post edited by EuroStyle on
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  • gatemplin
    gatemplin Posts: 1,595
    edited January 2004
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    Bare wire is fine, Banana plugs just simplify things. You can use crimp, twist on or solder types. The twist on is the easiest but the solder probably makes the best connection. You can get them from Radio Shack, www.partsexpress.com or any audio store.
    Graham
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  • JDOGG
    JDOGG Posts: 433
    edited January 2004
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    I picked up a couple of these at BB with my gift cards. Easy to put on, took me about 10 minutes. Really solid connection.
    http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?id=1051384782167&type=product&productCategoryId=cat08055
    Panasonic VIERA 46" 1080p plasma
    Onkyo TX-SR805
    Klipsch RF-7(bi-amped)
    Klipsch RF-25
    Xbox 360 with HD DVD
    Playstation 3
    Cobalt Cable
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  • EuroStyle
    EuroStyle Posts: 19
    edited January 2004
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    OK, cool...I thought I had read in an old thread that the twist on ones were not that good. I will make a trip today to see what I can find locally...


    Sena
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  • pjdami
    pjdami Posts: 1,894
    edited January 2004
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    Don't rule out a good pair of crimp on spade connectors as well. Bananas are convenient if you move around a lot of gear all the time but a lot of folks prefer the spades just as much if not more because of the solid and ample surface area when you tighten down the binding post.
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  • John K.
    John K. Posts: 822
    edited January 2004
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    Sean, in my view you're the one who's right. Forget the connectors and continue to use the bare wire.
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  • EuroStyle
    EuroStyle Posts: 19
    edited January 2004
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    I have always felt the connection to bare wire was the tighest, but I could see a spade or banana giving it more contact area, so I fiugred I was just being lazy...:)


    Sean
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  • gidrah
    gidrah Posts: 3,049
    edited January 2004
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    I also use bare wire whenever possible. A connector MIGHT be able to give you more surface area, but you are adding an extra connection.
    Make it Funky! :)
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  • by23856
    by23856 Posts: 5
    edited January 2004
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    I just talked the the resident audiophile here at work and he gave me a good hint on how to make the bare wire connection stronger, with no fraying.

    Strip off twice as much insulation as you want for exposed wire (i.e. strip off 1" of insulator if you ultimately want 1/2" of exposed wire) twist that inch of exposed wire tightly, then double it over on itself and twist the doubled up wire with a pair of pliers. That gives you a double thick connector that has a solid point as opposed to the loose ends.
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  • EuroStyle
    EuroStyle Posts: 19
    edited January 2004
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    That's an old trick when you are running car audio wires and one side of the connection requires a small wire to go into a connector, and the other a large one...but for my Polks at least, that would make the wire too big for the post, or neccesitate the use of a smaller wire that when doubled would fit...


    Sean
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  • dholmes
    dholmes Posts: 1,136
    edited January 2004
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    Do a search on ebay, I found 30 pairs of banana plugs for less than a 1.50 a pair!
    My HT set-up Panasonic front proj, 120 in ws screen, ATI amp,Integra 9.8 pre-pro, 2 Polk rti150, cp 1000, 4 fx 1000, Pioneer blu-ray 2 SVS sub pb 12-ultra 2, & Paragon popcorn popper. ps 3 Coaster leather HT recliners.
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  • PolkThug
    PolkThug Posts: 7,532
    edited January 2004
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    The trick to using bare wire is to not touch the bare wire directly with your fingers. Otherwise, the wire will become slightly corroded in just a short time. Just look at some bare wires you setup a couple months or so ago, the shiny copper will look dirty now.

    Regards,
    PolkThug
    Never Forget
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