Banana Plugs vs. Spade Terminals for Audio Connections? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Halcyon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 03, 2015, 11:31:50 pm
content: I'm running some speaker cabling in the wall before the plasterboard goes up at my place. I'm looking at different options for the wall plates. Most have banana plugs and screw-type binding posts on the front and rear of the wall plate.What are the advantages/disadvantages about using banana plugs vs. screwing the cable into the binding posts (either with or without spade connectors) on the rear side (i.e.: the side inside the wall cavity).

author: NiHaoMike
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 04, 2015, 04:57:33 am
content: I don't think either would be better or worse from an audio quality or reliability point of view, but do put a little Deoxit or other dielectric fluid on each connection, especially the ones that are hard to get to.

author: Fsck
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 04, 2015, 05:01:32 am
content: it's really just a convenience thing. though you'll probably find that spade + screw connectors are more reliable due to the wearing down of the banana plug spring after a *ridiculous* number of mating cycles (probably counted in millions if not billions)

author: Richard Crowley
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 04, 2015, 05:13:31 am
content: "Raw" stranded wire around a binding post is subject to loosening over time because of the individual strands.My preference would be to terminate the wires with spade lugs that are soldered (or crimped and soldered).Almost as good would be to use banana plugs that are secured with a set-screw (BrEnglish: grub-screw).Professional speaker connections use Speakon connectors which are made for large, stranded cable wires.

author: Richard Head
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 04, 2015, 05:51:03 am
content: Whatever you choose just make sure that it doesn't stick out too much. You may want to place some furniture in front of it.

author: Halcyon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 04, 2015, 06:21:04 am
content: Yeh I might go the spade connectors on the back. Is galvanic corrosion an issue in most residential installations? The cable I have is tinned copper but the wall jacks are gold plated. I'm only cabling the room up for rear speakers and subwoofer. The front speaker cables will be hidden behind the entertainment unit anyway and can run directly into the amp.Quote from: Richard Head on August 04, 2015, 05:51:03 amThe wall plates are fairly low profile and the binding posts don't protrude past the skirting board.

author: NiHaoMike
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 04, 2015, 06:26:21 am
content: Maybe if you live in a humid environment. Some Deoxit is a good idea regardless.

author: Halcyon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 04, 2015, 06:27:40 am
content: Quote from: NiHaoMike on August 04, 2015, 06:26:21 amNot particularly. East coast of Australia. Plus I have ducted air conditioning.

author: SteveyG
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 04, 2015, 06:49:14 am
content: Quote from: Richard Crowley on August 04, 2015, 05:13:31 am

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 04, 2015, 07:23:51 am
content: Quote from: NiHaoMike on August 04, 2015, 06:26:21 amNo it is not. It will eat away the contact plating material. Just buy quality connectors to begin with. NEVER EVER USE CONTACT SPRAYS! They all contain acid which will slowly corrode any metal part you use it on.I second the suggestion for the Speakon connectors. These are designed to last.

author: Mechanical Menace
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 04, 2015, 08:02:39 am
content: Quote from: nctnico on August 04, 2015, 07:23:51 amWhen I've felt the need I've used WD40 and a bit of elbow grease followed with some IPA to clean up any residue. I don't know if that's actually a good idea though, think it's just something I picked up from my motor mechanic friends, sans the IPA lol.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 04, 2015, 12:33:56 pm
content: If you want to clean contacts use IPA and a soft cotton bud. The last thing you want is to use something which removes the contact plating material.

author: NiHaoMike
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 05, 2015, 01:21:30 am
content: Quote from: nctnico on August 04, 2015, 07:23:51 amDeoxit is commonly used at several labs I worked at. It has always worked at preventing corrosion and I have never seen it cause a circuit to not work. Though I suppose it could disrupt particularly sensitive analog stuff.There's also automotive dielectric grease for those who can't easily get the Deoxit that comes in a little glass bottle. (The stuff in a can is for cleaning and only contains 5% Deoxit.)

author: Delta
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 05, 2015, 11:35:47 am
content: 1/4" jack socket. Then use right angle jack plugs for the speaker leads.

author: george graves
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 05, 2015, 11:42:47 am
content: Quote from: Delta on August 05, 2015, 11:35:47 am1/4" RA male jacks are amazingly slim.