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Quick question: how do you connect bare speaker wire to a binding post?

post #1 of 9
8/17/09 at 10:19pm
Thread Starter 
So I notice that as I unscrew the binding post, there's a hole in the back of the main shaft part. Do I just stick the wires in there and screw it closed? EDIT: This site seems to confirm that's the way to go, but I just want to make sure.

Also, I heard bare wire isn't the best thing to do, connection-wise. Should I wait a day and see if RadioShack (or The Shack, whatever it's called now) has banana plugs for 16 gauge wires? I don't know how to install them onto base wires though...

Thanks!
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post #2 of 9
8/17/09 at 10:26pm
Yep, just unscrew to expose hole, push wire in hole, screw until tight.

Most of available plugs are going to give a worse electrical connection than bare wire. I'd just skip them.
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post #3 of 9
8/17/09 at 10:32pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by marvin View Post
Yep, just unscrew to expose hole, push wire in hole, screw until tight.

Most of available plugs are going to give a worse electrical connection than bare wire. I'd just skip them.
Thanks marvin! One more thing: it doesn't matter if there's some loose wire hanging out the other end, right? It's touching the metal jumper that is around the other binding posts above it.
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post #4 of 9
8/17/09 at 10:38pm
Sounds fine. Just make sure the exposed wire isn't long enough to touch the opposite polarity binding post.
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post #5 of 9
8/17/09 at 10:41pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by marvin View Post
Sounds fine. Just make sure the exposed wire isn't long enough to touch the opposite polarity binding post.
Okie doke, they seem okay then. Thanks again for the quick help!
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post #6 of 9
8/18/09 at 3:01pm
You can also tin the ends to help prevent oxidation, which is usually an issue with bare copper speaker wire.
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post #7 of 9
8/18/09 at 3:16pm
I'm from the camp that bare speaker wire is the best. As long as you twist them properly and leave no strands hanging outside and get the whole thing fit in the binding post and screw it tightly its the best connection IMHO. Banana plugs are very convenient, but I have an affinity towards bare speaker wire.
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post #8 of 9
8/18/09 at 3:32pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by jilgiljongiljing View Post
I'm from the camp that bare speaker wire is the best. As long as you twist them properly and leave no strands hanging outside and get the whole thing fit in the binding post and screw it tightly its the best connection IMHO. Banana plugs are very convenient, but I have an affinity towards bare speaker wire.
Agreed.

IMO, banana plugs should only be used in cases when the sake of convenience necessitates their use. Otherwise, a banana plug - no matter what it's "plated" with - is just one more thing to get in the way of the signal path.
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post #9 of 9
1/4/12 at 5:38pm

hi i need to connect bare wire to speaker but i didn't  strip it good does it matter?

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