Currently I am using Arcam AVR300 with 12 gauge speaker wire. I connected the cable to the speaker connectors of AVR300 by using bare wire ended leads. However, I did not like this method. I would like to switch to using either spade terminal or banana method. Since I am afraid of having shortcut, I can not decide which connector is better fit. What type or which connector do you recommend to me?

I personally used bare wires on the speaker end and banana plugs on the receiver end whenever my system was up and running, but after researching and speaking with reliable folks I do believe that by using spade terminals or banana plugs on the speakers will not result in any loss of audio quality so therefore whenever I get my system back together I'll probably use either banana plugs or spade terminals on the speakers ... I haven't decided which type as of yet but I'm leaning towards the spade terminals.

Banana plugs or spade terminal? It's nothing more than a personal matter because both of these connection will give you the same quality audio of bare wire as long as they don't get dirty or corroded ... IMO.

Bare wire is supposed to be the best for signal transfer, but banana plugs make disconnecting and reconnecting easy. Personally, I haven't unplugged my speaker wires since I installed everything a year ago, and I knew this going into it, so I just stuck with bare wire.

I was told that audioquest bfa plugs are good for AVR300.

Here is the link. http://www.ramelectronics.net/html/audioquest.html#pkbfa

Link

Those look like excellent banana plugs, but they are VERY expensive. Here are a few less expensive ones that will, in all probablility, perform just as well.

GLS banana plugs (either locking or regular) No soldering necessary.

Dayton banana plugs

However, if you like the Audioquest, and can afford them, by all means get them.

I prefer the convenience of banana plugs; they are easier to remove than spades. In addition, hooking spades to the back of the receiver is true pain, especially with 12 gauge wire. (I have an Arcam AVR300 also).

If you choose to get spades, just be sure that they will fit your speaker's binding posts. I initially bought speaker cables with spades, and they did not fit my speaker binding posts. I had to return them, and I ended up getting banana plugs. It turned out to be a better choice for me.

Thanks folks.

You are right Jin. Even, bare connection is very painful with 12 gauge cable.

I think I will go with a banana one either audioquest or GLS. I will let you know about result.

I use banana plugs now for all my speaker connections, mainly for the convenience factor. I used to have bare wire connections, and that was a real pain to work with in the really small spaces behind the receiver! There are many companies making good gold plated banana plugs. I use the 'deluxe' ones made by RCA and sold in Home Depot stores for about $6-$7 a pair.

Or at least many distributors for the 3 or so different types of banana plug, made by one company... (yes, I made this up, but...)

I bought and installed Audioquest BFP Banana plugs which were recommended by my dealer. They did fit perfectly. I am satisfied with the result. Life is easier right now.

Following the link for the GLS banana plugs, I found that they were actually quite reasonable, considering the quantity in each pack! They work out to about $4 to $6 a pair, which isn't bad at all.

I’ve got both banana and spade connectors. The bananas are great for the AVR. Life is so much easier with them. At the speakers, I use spades. I went with the spades to get the wires to lie down to the floor and not stick up in the air, but for my wall mounted stuff, I’m gong to use bananas.

One thing to remember with Axiom speakers is that they use ¼” spades, but the binding post is actually 5/16”. Most amps/subs/speakers use 3/8” spades. Axiom has milled flat spots on their binding post that the spade slides onto and the flats keep the spade from twisting as you tighten the nut down. Only reason I mention this is so folks won’t assume that everything is 1/4” because Axiom is. I did this and ended up spending a couple hours with a jewelers file, filing away on binding posts.

I’d also mention Radio Shack’s bananas. They are very nice and not all that expensive. The set screws are 180 deg apart, which will grab the wire a little better. They also have a bell shape to the posts that makes excellent contact with the binding post.