speaker wire connections?
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 17
frequent flier
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OP
frequent flier
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 17 |
Hello Fellow Axiomites,
So, I am curious about people's opinions on speaker terminal connections/connectors. I use 4 twelve gauge (originally for bi wired) speaker wire to connect my Emotiva LPA-1 amp to my new Axiom epic 80 system speakers. I bought gold plated spades from Blue jeans cable, but they don't go around or fit the pegs on the back of the Axiom speakers. Should I bother with ordering plugs or should I just leave the naked wires squeezed into the posts? Any thoughts?
Thanks
EmotivaLMC1/LPA1,YamahaS2500,Oppo BDP-83,MSHTS-5000Axiom Epic 80/350+Paradigm PS1200 sub
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Re: speaker wire connections?
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 3,488 Likes: 9
connoisseur
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connoisseur
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 3,488 Likes: 9 |
a lot depends on how often you move things around. I tend to use plugs because I used to move for alternating school/workterms every 4 months, and then changing appartment every other year, so I sort of gotten the habit of always thinking of connections as "temporary" and thus better with plugs.
If you don't plan on constantly plugging and unplugging (happens a lot if you do A/B comparisons, for example), then don't bother with plugs.
See Mojo's signature
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Re: speaker wire connections?
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 7,463 Likes: 1
axiomite
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axiomite
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 7,463 Likes: 1 |
It's personal preference more than anything. Your supposed to get the best connection using bare wire, but I think banana, spades, or bare are all good.
I unhook my speaker wire frequently--I switch between my HT set-up and a tube amp for two channel listening. I use banana and spade because they are easy to work with. I don't think I'd want to use bare wire if I was constantly switching the wire.
*********** "Nothin' up my sleeve. . ." --Bullwinkle J. Moose
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Re: speaker wire connections?
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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,056
connoisseur
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connoisseur
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,056 |
I don't switch, pretty much ever. But I still liked the convenience of the banana plugs on the back of my amp and on the speakers. It was a bit of an anal retentive thing for me, but I liked the look of the banana plugs at all of the termination points. I know this is ridiculous since they are all hidden by the speakers and the receiver, but wtf?
Decent banana plugs can be had for real cheap on eBay, btw.
I don't notice a lick of difference using banana plugs, as opposed to bare wire, either. Don't think that any of these methods will improve or degrade your sound (assuming the electrical contact connection is good, of course).
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Re: speaker wire connections?
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 13,840 Likes: 13
shareholder in the making
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shareholder in the making
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 13,840 Likes: 13 |
straight wire connections for this guy, less links in the chain. sounds much better as well.
M80s VP180 4xM22ow 4xM3ic EP600 2xEP350 AnthemAVM60 Outlaw7700 EmoA500 Epson5040UB FluanceRT85
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Re: speaker wire connections?
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 4,877
connoisseur
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connoisseur
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 4,877 |
banana plugs on the receiver, barw wire on the speakers.
-David
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Re: speaker wire connections?
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 5,210
axiomite
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axiomite
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 5,210 |
I'm thinking Alan either had an article or stated here on the boards at some point stating that as long as the connections are good'n tight you'll have no degradation in SQ using any type of connection plug for any speaker wire connection. Common sense tells me I certainly agree.
I believe I have banana plugs on the power side of things and bare wire on the speaker end.
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Re: speaker wire connections?
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 18,044
shareholder in the making
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shareholder in the making
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 18,044 |
I have bananas on all ends, because I move the speakers every time we get an Xmas tree. But it doesn't really matter. I'm surprised your spades didn't fit; the Axioms' binding posts are set up for both 1/4 and 3/8.
I am the Doctor, and THIS... is my SPOON!
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Re: speaker wire connections?
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 4,877
connoisseur
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connoisseur
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 4,877 |
Wow, banana plus on all ends just for the christmas tree?
I bet it will take 10 years for you to realize the time savings there once you consider how long it took to connect the banana plugs in the first place.
But hey, at least it looks cool!
-David
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Re: speaker wire connections?
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 18,044
shareholder in the making
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shareholder in the making
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Making 4 connections per speaker with bananas vs. bare wire? It's worth it. Besides, the banana plugs cost me about a buck from monoprice.
I am the Doctor, and THIS... is my SPOON!
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Re: speaker wire connections?
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 4,877
connoisseur
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connoisseur
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 4,877 |
bought my bananas from bluejeans.. not quite that cheap but not too bad.
monoprice is ridiculously cheap... I love it!
-David
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Re: speaker wire connections?
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 6,955
axiomite
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axiomite
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 6,955 |
Inserting your banana should wait until your sure you are ready for a lasting and loving relationship with your speaker.
With great power comes Awesome irresponsibility.
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Re: speaker wire connections?
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,005
connoisseur
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connoisseur
Joined: Feb 2008
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What happens if your speakers " just wants to be friends "
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Re: speaker wire connections?
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 6,471
axiomite
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axiomite
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 6,471 |
Then, if you're the spiteful kind, you start spreading rumors about your speakers in order to trash your speakers' reputation!
Bears, beets, Battlestar Galactica.
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Re: speaker wire connections?
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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 10,654
shareholder in the making
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shareholder in the making
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 10,654 |
King, I always use just the plain wire, which is fine unless you're going to be frequently connecting/disconnecting. You mentioned that the wires were "squeezed" in. Care has to taken that some strands aren't left loose to cause a possible short. To make the connection easier you can trim some strands off the stripped end to reduce the size of the wire ends, e.g., from 12ga to 18 ga. This isn't analogous to a multi-lane highway suddenly turning into an 8-foot wide dirt road; the overall resistance of the entire length of wire is the relevant factor and isn't changed appreciably by having the stripped end smaller.
-----------------------------------
Enjoy the music, not the equipment.
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