Do banana plugs degrade the audio when compared to "raw" speaker wire?

Question

I am a HT enthusiast who just upgraded to a receiver than will let me hook them up either way. It would just be a whole lot easier with banana plugs. As the layout of the speaker inputs is almost impossible to hook up all 7.1 speakers with raw wire. So bad that I am running 2.1 for the time being. (and some what enjoying it in a nostalgic way, almost thinking of going back to it due to IMO a lot of poorly mixed 5.1/7.1 tracks) Any info?

links to respected sites would be appreciated, as well as well spoken responses. I am an electrical engineer by trade and a long time audio enthusiast. So feel free to give it to me in tech speak, no censorship needed. Is there a QSR formula that would prove it one way or another?

Answer 1

I can't give you technical data to support it, but I have never seen finished high end speaker cables with bare wire. They usually have spade lugs or banana plugs. And these are cables made for people who believe 0.0001% oxygen in the copper will degrade their sound!

For example, look at the wires from Cardas Audio, or the page on speaker wire and connects from Blue Jean Cable.

The argument is that -- in addition to space, lower risk of shorting and convenience advantages -- the noncorrosive coating and mechanically stable plug / spade beats out bare wire -- which can break and corrode -- or tinned wire -- which gives a deformable, poor conducting contact (even with silver solder).

Have a look at (or even post your question on) AVS Forum (link to the audio forums below), but I believe you will find that audiophiles universally prefers banana plugs or spade lugs to bare wire.

On another tack, if you can't use bare wire (and presumably not spade lugs) then don't banana plugs become the only practical answer? If it were me, I'd buy some locking banana plugs.

Hope this helps.

Answer 2

Speaker Wire Banana Plugs

Answer 3

You aren't going to degrade the sound at all... Back when I was playing in the bars and DJing, that's all I used was banana plugs for either my speakers or my monitor. I don't have any hard audio data showing it's better or worse. I know you are going to want to get the best out there... if you are anything like me, so a high end audio shop is where I'd look. However, for S and G's.... go to the local radio shack and ask for them... They look at you like you came from a differant planet. ( they do have them by the way)

I've found that with the 5:1 and 7:1 ratios... you do sometimes have to do a bit of tweeking to get it to sound right.

By the way after you ask for the banana plugs at the Radio Shack... take a run to the Mc Donalds and ask for a half dozen chicken mcnuggets.... priceless my friend!

Answer 4

Sound quality is not an exact science.
It's more important to find a proper bal-
ance between what sounds good to you
with the convenience that you want.

I'm not engineer, just a lowly audiophile for
the past 25 years (although being involved
in the high-end audio industry for well over
a decade), I have found that experimenting
is the key to great sound for your personal
taste. Try it both ways and compare.

The best connection is bare wire in most
cases, however, a good quality spade or
banana will not degrade the sound worth
noticing for most people -including some
of those with a critical ear. In my experi-
ence, the convenience of a good banana
termination outweighs any performance
degradation.

Answer 5

Bare wire is a issue with oxidation causing degradation.

As far as banana plugs go, these were designed for easy hook up. If you are looking for the best connection, and this is a standard in the industry, is a spade lug. A good electrical connection via compression is the best way to go.

Adding solder or other metals causes a base interaction with possible Resistance or capacitance added. resistance causing response issues, and capacitance causing highs to drop off.

Data on just what sounds better is subjective, and depending on just what you have for equipment will make a huge difference in which of these is better. but unless you have a really high end system you may not hear a difference.

Besides a performance issue I use lugs or bananas just for the purpose keeping the cables free of oxidation.

Answer 6

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
Do banana plugs degrade the audio when compared to "raw" speaker wire?
I am a HT enthusiast who just upgraded to a receiver than will let me hook them up either way. It would just be a whole lot easier with banana plugs. As the layout of the speaker inputs is almost impossible to hook up all 7.1 speakers with raw wire. So bad that I am running 2.1 for the time being....

Answer 7

Radio Shack Banana Plugs

Answer 8

Bare wire should never be used due to the fact that over time oxidisation of the wire occurs which results in gradual sound deterioration.

High quality gold plated Banana Plugs and Spade lugs are best.I use Banana plugs for the Power Amp and heavy duty gold plated thick Spade Lugs for my Speakers


EDIT... If you want to stay with bare wire, once a year ,remove the exposed wire and strip back some insulated wire that is new and insert that.

Answer 9

no