I have only used banana plugs in past. Have new cables with spades. When I loosen or remove the clear plastic "nut" through which banana plugs are inserted, there is a round "washer" (with black or red plastic at its circumference). Underneath that is a round, gold-plated base. Do I put the spade in between the nut and the washer or in between the washer and the base?

OK, I actually read the Axiom instructions and answered my own question. I was very intrigued to see that with bare wire, you go between the nut and washer. BUT… with spades, you go under the washer! Anyone want to venture a guess as to why the difference?

The bare wire goes "through" the center of the binding post (there is a hole) and just needs to get "crimped" down by the plastic "nut."

The spade doesn't get the privilege of getting such a solid connection like that so you want as much metal touching metal as possible.

OK. I made up both of those. I am only speculating as to why...

I think you're right, Nick. Your answer also hints that bare wire can actually give you the best, most solid connection.

Unless you plan on removing and reattaching your speaker wire often, bare wire is the way to go.

You are 100% correct Sir. Bare wire IS the best connection unless you disconnect/reconnect a lot.

Wait, did I just call you "Sir?"

What a great Ed McMahon impression. Well done!

If you are using 1/4" spade connectors then you want to put them underneath the washer where the post is indented on both sides to stop the spade from turning when you tighten it down. If you are using a 3/8" spade then above the washer will be better so the spade will not move side to side in the indents.

That makes even more sense. The washer prevents the spade from spinning when tightening the "nut." (lightbulb just went on above my head...)

The undiscussed variable here is the wire termination itself. If it's soldered, it likely has up to 10x the resistance of bare wire. The only terminations I've found that didn't add resistance are the welded ones of BlueJeans Cable.

Sorry but I don't understand how your chart can try to compare resistance on brand names when they are using different lengths of wire.. That is a big undiscussed variable in your undiscussed variable.

Yeah, there's really too many variables involved. Not only different lengths, but different gauges.

Also when testing how much of an increase in resistance (or impedance) there is from bare wire to terminated wire, the connection point to the test equipment needs to be controlled.