Hi, I read somewhere that spades are the preferred method of connecting speaker cables to the amp because banana plugs causes too much of a voltage drop (or something like that). Can someone please explain why one or the other is preferred?
banana plugs or spades to connect to amp
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Originally posted by tboooeHi, I read somewhere that spades are the preferred method of connecting speaker cables to the amp because banana plugs causes too much of a voltage drop (or something like that). Can someone please explain why one or the other is preferred?- Bottom
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Hmmm, sounds kind of specious to me. Assuming material types and build-quality are similar a well made, snug-fitting banana plug will give about the same surface contact area that a spade will or maybe a bit more, if my quickie calcs are correct. I don't see what evidence there is for a voltage drop. :scratchhead:
Any experts wanna voice an opinion?.
David - Trigger-happy HTGuide Admin- Bottom
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What about no connectors at all... even my dealer is honest enough to say so. Ok you can put a bit of silver solder on the wire if you wish but why add another piece of metal in your signal path?
It's easy to understand that wire -> speaker connector is more direct than wire -> connector -> speaker connector. Same for the amp.- Bottom
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I'm no expert, but I had a hard time connecting the spades to my RB 1080 much less finding a way to use the bi-wire capabilities on the amp,so I called the company that made my cables and they told me that bannanas are better for the long haul because they will expand in the post overtime.- Bottom
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Originally posted by jim777What about no connectors at all... even my dealer is honest enough to say so. Ok you can put a bit of silver solder on the wire if you wish but why add another piece of metal in your signal path?
It's easy to understand that wire -> speaker connector is more direct than wire -> connector -> speaker connector. Same for the amp.- Bottom
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The WBT expanding RCA banana (see below) is something worth considering. I have it and it works great - stick it in, then turn it and it expands into a snug fit like a spade- - the best of both worlds for sure.
P.S. There are other companies that use a similar concept and are much cheaper.Adz- Bottom
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Originally posted by maddogBut what about the exposed ends of copper oxidizing? That's the argument that I have seen most against using bare-wire connections.
Note that you can have the same problem if your connectors are not soldered on to the cable (if they are only crimped or screwed).
And besides that, I have some 4-year-old cheap copper wire here on my older system that is not oxidated at all.
That being said, I bought a few banana connectors because my wire is a bit too big to fit OK in my amp connectors (the MA6500 has smaller connectors than all the other macs because they are vertical like with most amps). I will install them the day I need to pull the amp from the cabinet. They have screws on them that expands the banana so that you can't even pull them off after they are installed. If I solder them to my wire, I should get a good connection
So connectors can help solve some problems, but I don't like to hear that you *must* have connectors to get a good connection when the speakers or amp already make great connections to a wire.
Just my opinion- Bottom
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I agree with E. and Jim777, It helps in installation for sure! Much easier for tight spaces where the amp does not have a lot of room to move around. Or the AWG and the connections do not match up right. If you can get to your stuff easy then save the loot for a soda or something. But if you need them use'm.
You do run a less chance of problems if you don't use the plugs. Less chance of something not being tight, falling out ETC.
Had banana plugs on my speakers and amp. Now I just have them on my amp so I do not have to take the back of the DLP stand off to hook them up. And my 2 year old can not pull the speaker wire out of the speaker now that it is screwed in! :T (She did that LOTS)The Bitterness of poor quality last longer than the joy of low prices.- Bottom
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Originally posted by SnapYou do run a less chance of problems if you don't use the plugs. Less chance of something not being tight, falling out ETC.- Bottom
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Well made bananas don't slip out (does that sound just a bit naughty, or is it just me? : ) - at least in my experience. There are even some that expand a tiny bit to grip that much better. Spades can provide a somewhat tighter joint and are better IMO as far as not having the cables pointing directly away from the back of the component like a standard banana does.
Another part of Tommy's original post was a question about potential larger loss of current with bananas. Any takers?.
David - Trigger-happy HTGuide Admin- Bottom
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A few months back I bought a pair of speaker cables from Raymond Cable on Ebay that had locking bananas. This week I bought another pair. In my mind they offer the best of all worlds, the ease of bananas and the secure connection of spades. The bananas have little thumb screws at the back of the clip that expands the banana in the female plug. Somewhat like dogs in heat that get stuck together in your backyard. I also just purchased some locking interconnects from Raymond that work wonderfully. I hate loose connections.Herb- Bottom
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Originally posted by HerbonbayA few months back I bought a pair of speaker cables from Raymond Cable on Ebay that had locking bananas. This week I bought another pair. In my mind they offer the best of all worlds, the ease of bananas and the secure connection of spades. The bananas have little thumb screws at the back of the clip that expands the banana in the female plug. Somewhat like dogs in heat that get stuck together in your backyard. I also just purchased some locking interconnects from Raymond that work wonderfully. I hate loose connections.
The WBT expanding RCA banana (see below) is something worth considering. I have it and it works great - stick it in, then turn it and it expands into a snug fit like a spade- - the best of both worlds for sure.
Adz- Bottom
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