Banana Plugs? Advice please

Marcos · 30-01-2005, 07:44 PM

I've been using just stripped ends for the past X years, but they are a pain when i have to move stuff around. What should i look for in banana plugs? Any links to cheap/good ones?

I dont need audiophile stuff, just good enough quality that it wouldnt make my system sound worse.

Marcos · 30-01-2005, 07:54 PM

Anything cheaper/better than this:

http://www.superfi.co.uk/index.cfm/p...Product_ID/445

Sk!mD4Rk · 30-01-2005, 08:49 PM

^^^ They're perfect, and look like the Qed ones i used use. I don't use banana's any more as my power amp terminals are generous for pretty wide cable.

Howard · 30-01-2005, 08:57 PM

Just get some well built ones that won't fall apart.

weebroonieuk · 30-01-2005, 09:49 PM

is there a better way of connecting them to cable ? like do u get plugs which can be soldered on ?

id be safe to say u get ones that will be crimped but soldering is the best way .....

Sk!mD4Rk · 30-01-2005, 10:19 PM

Yeah mate. Qed use a crimper that exerts 1 ton force for a supposedly airtight seal.

I only know this as an "audiophile

" made me up some Qudos cable with these bananas on.

Soldering is not worth it unless your really good at it and soldering. Sound quality won't matter either way.

ozzyo99 · 31-01-2005, 09:19 AM

I have no idea why people are afraid of soldering, on components as large as speaker sockets it is something a monkey could be trained to perform.

autopilot · 31-01-2005, 11:24 AM

Originally Posted by ozzyo99

I have no idea why people are afraid of soldering, on components as large as speaker sockets it is something a monkey could be trained to perform.

Maybe, but i just don't see the point.

Rave · 31-01-2005, 11:36 AM

From what I've read a good crimp conection can actually be better than soldering unless you're very good at it. That was from a guy talking about video cables though, as usual I reckon it makes no difference to audio ones. When I needed to terminate five cables for my surround sound setup I just used some cheap (like 70p each) bananas from Maplin and soldered them up. I think one broke after some provocation but the rest are still fine several years down the line.

Rich :¬)

**Zak33** · 31-01-2005, 12:14 PM

Rave is right. Solderf is only good in audio IF it is to hold a joint together from outside....or if you have normal non-milion pound audio.

You see, Solder isnt such a good conductor as the cable OR the gold plated connector that you probably have. The following is THEORY.

.....to crimp is best really. With real monster pressure, you get a "cold weld" which is apparently a better bet. The metals are forced together, and while they wont hold together if you swing on them, you get the most surface area in contact. By force. The cable is copper, and it bends and flattens.

IF you use solder, make sure there is a mammoth amount of cable to connector contact BEFORE you solder, so the solder doesnt get in between.

Of course most of that is HEAR SAY, and I cant always hear it, so I dont always say it

but officially its the best way.

So, in order:
1: get nice freshly stripped bit of wire
2: get nice clean contact.
3: get those two all wrapped up and squeezed together in a sexy rude way.

THEN solder over it all, to hold it together.

PROBLEM: solder likes the entire joint to be HOT and that needs a damn good soldering iron, AND even then, the solder gets in ALL the cracks and gaps and under and between.

The solution MIGHT be, that you get banana's with screw down termnials, all gold and lovely and the screw terminal does the pressure for you.

ozzyo99 · 31-01-2005, 12:50 PM

For heating the connector flashing a blow torch over it will heat it sufficiently, however in my experience there is actually no need for that and a decent 45w iron will head up a connector in a matter of seconds.

Legin76 · 31-01-2005, 01:11 PM

Some good advice above but I know a cheaper place for those banana plugs Or some chaper banana plugs

Soldering can be good although may not be the tidiest option.

**Zak33** · 31-01-2005, 01:12 PM

/\ steady fella

**Zak33** · 31-01-2005, 01:13 PM

Originally Posted by ozzyo99

however in my experience there is actually no need for that and a decent 45w iron will head up a connector in a matter of seconds.

think you'd be quite scared by hw FEW good quality soldering irons exist in the world

Legin76 · 31-01-2005, 01:33 PM

Originally Posted by Zak33

/\ steady fella

Just slap me if I go to far although just helping members get the most for their money

Zakky edit: I know.....

**Stoo** · 31-01-2005, 01:56 PM

Originally Posted by Zak33

think you'd be quite scared by hw FEW good quality soldering irons exist in the world

Yup, very few decent quality ones around, for a starter tip, if you see any Antex branded ones, run very fast in the opposite direction..

If there's one thing Dad has taught me to do well, it's soldering

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