Recommendations on Banana Plugs

[syed_rizvi]

Dear FMs,

I've recently set up a high fi system and I'm using Bandridge wires. Since both the end of the wires are open, and the screw slot of my amp (Norge 2060) is really narrow, I'm looking to put banana plugs around them.

I did some quick research on the net and found out that there are 2 types banana plug, the open screw ones and the closed one. Apparently, the open screw ones do not need any kind of soldering, but the closed ones do. Since I find the open screw one convenient (I actually don't have a solder with me), I was thinking of going for one.

So can you please validate if my above understanding is correct ? If yes, then can you please suggest me some good options on the open screw banana connectors ?

All help and suggestions will be very highly appreciated.

Many Thanks,
Syed

 

[dheerajin]

No banana plugs can be compared with bare wire stripped at end, so go with that....even if banana plugs are for there worth $$$$dollars..

 

[syed_rizvi]

Dear Dheeraj,

Thanks for a quick feedback. I'm actually wanting to put the plugs because the slit at my amplifier ends are just too narrow for the wires to get in.

Unless you say that the putting of banana plug will deteriorate the quality of sound drastically as compared to bare wires.

 

[dheerajin]

Yes..banana plug is waste of money..and moreover you are adding one more resistive material to signal path..so bare wire is best...now its your decision to go with either...and no amplifier is supplied with narrow binding posts..and every amplifier maker believe in bare wire connections..pls check with yours..

 

[syed_rizvi]

Thanks Dheeraj,

I'll take your quality feedback and restrain from Banana Plug for the now.

Will check with my vendor why the binding post of my amp are so narrow and get back..

Many Thanks,

 

[gobble]

I am very happy with the banana plugs and spades I got from ARN systems. The spread of soundstage across the floor actually improved subtly in a balanced way. Even I used to think banana plugs would deteriorate SQ until then. Get the soldering types for a couple of hundred bucks and be happy.

G0bble

 

[spirovious]

I found Monoprice Banana plugs to be good for the price.
1 PAIR OF High-Quality Gold Plated Speaker Banana Plugs, Closed Screw Type - Monoprice.com

 

[GeorgeO]

I use bananas and prefer them over bare wire. I've bought them form Monoprice and Accessories4less.

 

[magma]

get these
the WBT replicas

WBT 0600 design copper with gold plating and ruthenium plated sleeve and dual lock grip fastners


pretty darn good for 400 bucks a pair

 

[syed_rizvi]

Hi Magma,

Where can you get these ?

 

[Hassan Khani]

Check with murthy from tools and trade in commercial street. He has it, lockable banana plugs. Check with them to have your cables terminated, I had done mine.

 

[hydra]

I am very happy with the banana plugs and spades I got from ARN systems. The spread of soundstage across the floor actually improved subtly in a balanced way. Even I used to think banana plugs would deteriorate SQ until then. Get the soldering types for a couple of hundred bucks and be happy.

G0bble

I've generally been a bare wire connection guy, but I've always wondered if more contact area, via (well soldered) banana plugs, would improve things.

Perhaps the increased surface contact area that a banana plug provides, over the miniscule contact area that bare wire provides, negates any loss (if at all) caused by the additional solder/connection.

 

[darshanjoshi]

Unfortunately my speakers just don't like Bananas.

Couple of them I tried and I find Bare wires sounds better. Background is darker with Treble more rounded.

 

[Shivam]

I have tried plugs from Supra, MX, Sewell and a couple of other companies. I like the feel of Supra plugs but not the cost. With 'proper contact' between the wires and plugs, I didn't find any difference in sound in my limited experience among the various plugs. No difference in- with and without plugs comparison too.

I use inexpensive banana plugs now for the ease of use, cleaning purposes and for avoiding any accidental loose wire strand touching any other terminal. Logic says that using speaker wire directly should give best results but I didn't hear any difference so I use the plugs.

I however do tighten the plugs every six months. They tend to get loose somehow on their own. Before tightening, I also clean the exposed speaker wire ends and plugs with iso-propyl alcohol. (I like the feel when I know that the contacts are perfectly clean and tight).

 

[naveenroy]

Hello guys! Looking for some cheap banana plugs. Something I can get around Koramangala, Bangalore or online. Please no suggest Nagamirchi and other high funda stuff, me poor guy who uses Finolex cables for speaker wire!

No, seriously - I would have ordered from AliExpress if only shipping was faster.

 

[syed_rizvi]

You can go some nearby electrical or hardware shop and get them. I got ones from my nearby shop in BTM for around 75 bucks a pair.

 

[naveenroy]

You can go some nearby electrical or hardware shop and get them. I got ones from my nearby shop in BTM for around 75 bucks a pair.

Thanks, that sounds like a plan. Wasn't too sure those guys will have it. Is there a code word I have to use?

 

[syed_rizvi]

Actually, I just remembered. I got the local ones just 10 bucks a pair from this shop. You can just ask them for banana plug. I'm sure you will get one in any hardware shop.

 

[saketb]

Hello guys! Looking for some cheap banana plugs. Something I can get around Koramangala, Bangalore or online. Please no suggest Nagamirchi and other high funda stuff, me poor guy who uses Finolex cables for speaker wire!

No, seriously - I would have ordered from AliExpress if only shipping was faster.

You can buy these from the store situated in SP Road, if you would like to travel there, otherwise you can order online at their website as below.
Its listed at Rs. 96.00 for a pair.

MX MDR ELECTRONICS & MX ELECTRONICS

These are VFM

 

[magma]

You can buy these from the store situated in SP Road, if you would like to travel there, otherwise you can order online at their website as below.
Its listed at Rs. 96.00 for a pair.

MX MDR ELECTRONICS & MX ELECTRONICS

These are VFM

these are cast alloys based plugs ( zinc,brass mix ) that are gold (color only ) plated

you are adviced to use copper or if not possible at least EXTRUDED brass with real gold plating
introducing alloys into the system chain when your cable is copper is not very wise

IF using such inferior bananas then bare wire would be an option
(this is the experience that is probably reflected by one FM above - who tried bananas and went back t bare wire )

HOWEVER
bare wire is not the BEST option by far
ALL seasoned audiophiles will agree that copper ( even coated copper ) will oxidize
this oxidation in my experience causes more harm than the supposed extra element i.e banana ( as described by some FMs aboves )

using correct termination does not allow for oxidation
and using the correct banana/spade with correct air tight termination ( using heatshrink etc ) will reap more dividents always...

use a good quality spade or banana - in the long run you will hear it
skimp on it - and oxidation is sure shot - you will hear that too -

but ofcourse this is my personal opinion
and like cables this seems to be very hotly contested