I'm entering the final stages of my floorstanding 3-way tower build and I'm starting to thinking about making a nicer set of speaker wires to hook them up with. By "nicer" I simply mean terminating the bare wire ends to that I'm not clamping down on bare stranded wires which will eventually break off.
My cabinets will have these Dayton Audio binding posts which accept banana plugs or large fork terminals.
I'm hoping to find some solder-on banana plugs or appropriately sized fork terminals to make a nice tidy termination, however everything that I'm finding on Parts Express are set-screw style.
Does anyone have any leads on where I might look to source some nice solder-on terminals? I'm a bit particular with having my wiring look neat, similar to these:SVS SoundPath Ultra Speaker Cable
My cabinets will have these Dayton Audio binding posts which accept banana plugs or large fork terminals.
I'm hoping to find some solder-on banana plugs or appropriately sized fork terminals to make a nice tidy termination, however everything that I'm finding on Parts Express are set-screw style.
Does anyone have any leads on where I might look to source some nice solder-on terminals? I'm a bit particular with having my wiring look neat, similar to these:SVS SoundPath Ultra Speaker Cable
Ring terminals are best if the cap comes off the binding post, but few make them.
ConneX Connector 12awg O Ring Spade 12-10awg
Spade Connectors, Sonic Craft
Spades
ConneX Connector 12awg O Ring Spade 12-10awg
Spade Connectors, Sonic Craft
Spades
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I've also been on a quest for nice solder-on banana plugs. In the past I've resorted to soldering the set screw type. It's not difficult.
At present these are what I have my eye on.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07K2C78K8
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005E1CGZC
Or these and make my own insulating barrel.
Parts Express Gold 16-12 AWG Solder Type Banana Plug
At present these are what I have my eye on.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07K2C78K8
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005E1CGZC
Or these and make my own insulating barrel.
Parts Express Gold 16-12 AWG Solder Type Banana Plug
Lots of options there, thanks rayma!
Pano - I've done the same, but I've always assumed that there had to be a better way if I could find the right suppliers. Guess I'm not the only one wishing....
Pano - I've done the same, but I've always assumed that there had to be a better way if I could find the right suppliers. Guess I'm not the only one wishing....
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I prefer spades or rings to banana plugs. Take a banana plug apart and see the dubious connections that it has.
A spade is much more solid and direct. Just don't get solder on the surface that contacts with the
binding post (it tends to wick down there).
A spade is much more solid and direct. Just don't get solder on the surface that contacts with the
binding post (it tends to wick down there).
I agree with the spade connectors being better, and even prefer ring connectors if possible. However for my setup spades are not possible, so I go bananas! 😀
I chose the plugs listed because they got good reviews for solid connections. Many are rather dubious.
I chose the plugs listed because they got good reviews for solid connections. Many are rather dubious.
Spades/Rings are my preference as well for the speaker-side connector. I need to see what size spades might fit on my receiver's binding posts to see what my options are on that end.
Hook terminals can be a nice choice between spade and ring, if you can find good ones.
Yes, the space around tightly packed receiver posts can be a problem. My Yamaha is bare wire or banana, no normal spade would fit.
Yes, the space around tightly packed receiver posts can be a problem. My Yamaha is bare wire or banana, no normal spade would fit.
My Spendor LS3/5As only had banana sockets, so I replaced them with copper binding posts
that have removable caps. Now they can accept ring connectors.
These banana plug are more favorite type, they are relative cheap too. Even Mundorf now makes a version of them now. They have nice contact when connected to the sockets.
If you regularly disconnect your cables they could be a very good solution (ring connectors have a disadvantage here)
If you regularly disconnect your cables they could be a very good solution (ring connectors have a disadvantage here)
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Oh I forgot about those! I used to have those and liked them. 
Only banana sockets on my Magnepan speakers. I'll be happy with a good banana plug and some pretty speaker wire.
Oh I forgot about those! I used to have those and liked them.
Back then, I had access to all the variations and brands of LS3/5As, and the Spendor version was the best.
I have sn. 7/8, which were in the first production group that the BBC screened. They are the best LS3/5As
that I have ever tried, and this pair was the best of all the many Spendor versions that I tried. Needless
to say, I have always guarded them carefully.
The Sewells look nice but if the "pull" handle is connected to the tip, it looks like a magnet for shorts especially if they
get unplugged from the speaker.
G²
They're called BFA bananas, which I use to the exclusion of almost everything else.
I buy mine from a Chord dealer in UK, but you'll also find plenty on eBay and Aliexpress.
Speaker Cable Connectors Banana Plugs / BFA / Audiophile / Silver | eBay
Nerve Audio Gold Ultra Low Mass BFA Banana Z-plug Connector DIY Set of 4 Plugs 633090647666 | eBay
I honestly didn't even know those existed until now, they look nice!🙂 Unfortunately I've already designed and built my enclosures around the Dayton binding posts I linked 🙁 Maybe next time!
I currently also use fork connectors on my Spendor S100, but they tend to get loose now and then. I have these two types, the black one works great on the back of the amplifiers output terminals but the red one fits extremely snug in the speaker's terminals. I think I will try them.
Ps I have tested both with a magnet, none is magnetic.
Ps I have tested both with a magnet, none is magnetic.
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The battery connectors used on drones are dirt cheap and available in panel and pcb mount options. Like the XT60 style, good for 60 amps. XT60 Panel Mounting Kit
Of course I take no responsibility for someone plugging a LiPo battery into their amp 🙂
Of course I take no responsibility for someone plugging a LiPo battery into their amp 🙂