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EQUIPMENT FORUMS >> SE84UFO >> Thoughts on tidy speaker wire connections
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Message started by sfw on 05/13/21 at 23:03:44

Title: Thoughts on tidy speaker wire connections
Post by sfw on 05/13/21 at 23:03:44

I’m about to order some speaker cables for my future SE84UFO. What is the collective forum wisdom about speaker wire termination at the SE84UFO? It seems like banana plugs may be unwieldy, sending the cables skyward… maybe screwing down spades would be better? Thanks for any thoughts.

Title: Re: Thoughts on tidy speaker wire connections
Post by Geno on 05/15/21 at 17:40:22

Some folks like the look of them coming straight up. Spades would work, but a lot of folks (me included) prefer the sound of bare wire. It really depends on what gauge wire you use though for that to be practical. I use the funky mapleshade speaker wire and it is small enough and designed to be connected bare wire.

Title: Re: Thoughts on tidy speaker wire connections
Post by Lon on 05/15/21 at 17:58:28

Banana cables are hard to deal with on the HR-1--at least for me so in one system I use bare wire (Mapleshade Audio as Geno uses) and in the main system I use spades on both ends with my PS Audio xStream PCOCC speaker cables.

I've always found banana connectors to be problematic wiht my amp and speaker connectors--mainly because of their input diameter or in the earlier days their flimsy plastic construction. I would use then now if I didn't have two pairs of HR-1 that aren't well suited for them on the cables I tried.

Title: Re: Thoughts on tidy speaker wire connections
Post by duaneh on 05/15/21 at 20:07:03

Mapleshade reommends bare ends, but they'll sell you spades or bananas. Their Double Helix V.2+ sound great.

Title: Re: Thoughts on tidy speaker wire connections
Post by sfw on 05/15/21 at 21:02:23

Thanks all for your thoughts. Would you say it is correct that the binding posts accept bare wire of 12 gauge and higher (smaller)?

As for spades, what size should clear the posts? Do the posts have flats that could be used with smaller spades to prevent rotation?

Title: Re: Thoughts on tidy speaker wire connections
Post by Donnie on 05/15/21 at 23:27:29

I ran my Mapleshade's as bare wire for years.
But as I started building more and more speakers I bought some "bolt on" banana plugs so it would be a little easier switching speakers and amps.
I didn't hear any sonic differences. But I may be deaf.

I think that it is interesting that so many of us use the Mapleshade products.

Title: Re: Thoughts on tidy speaker wire connections
Post by Geno on 05/15/21 at 23:47:34

Donnie, not too surprising because I used yours and Lon’s advice 4 years ago for the Mapleshade when I was looking for a speaker wire upgrade ;)

And while we are talking about advice on good speaker wire, HK recommended the Duelund 12awg wire when I was looking for an upgrade from my sub amp to my bass drivers. Good stuff, and very reasonable. The fact that the mapleshade stuff is so weird to run, I’m still considering changing to the Duelund for my full rangers too.

By the way, I noticed that the new Western Electric audio manufacturers are selling hookup wire on their website. I wonder how it compares to the classic wire???

Title: Re: Thoughts on tidy speaker wire connections
Post by HockessinKid on 05/16/21 at 01:15:49

Geno,

While I have not heard the Western Electric wire myself, several friends have told me it has similar tonality to the Duelund tinned copper cables. Perhaps not as much detail. The 12g wire works well with both my Omega XRS SAHO speakers and the Caintuck Lii15 baffles.

HK

Title: Re: Thoughts on tidy speaker wire connections
Post by Geno on 05/16/21 at 03:12:28

Roger,

How is your wire terminated on each end?

Title: Re: Thoughts on tidy speaker wire connections
Post by HockessinKid on 05/16/21 at 11:55:28

Hello Geno,

I just do bare wire connections to speaker terminals when I use the Deulund 12g wire. Just a twist to keep all the strands together. Easy peasey.

HK