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Quick connecting recievers and speakers

FoolForARadio

FoolForARadio

Super Member
I am always trying to compare two receivers with the same set of speakers, or vice versa. So I have to get behind the cabinet and unscrew the speaker wire or pull it out of the clamp, or whatever, so I forget what what I am listening to sounded like. Is there a quick connect solution? I know banana plug adaptors are readily available, but I don't know if banana jacks are
 
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I'd look for a speaker switch box. There are 1 - 2 & 3 source/output models with push buttons, or rotary switches. Maybe somebody has a solid state one? In any case it's the easiest way to do A-B speaker/amp comparisons as long as you are using FM as a source and both receivers are tuned to the same station.

Problem is that there are a lot of bits in the signal path. Tuner section, multiple switches/functions (like loudness), amplifier section, etc. All can "play" with the signal so you may not be comparing apples to apples?

Best rig is to use same source and same speakers. Sometimes you can split ("Y) audio interconnects off a CD player or tape deck. Then you need to know the impedance of each receiver/amp to make sure they are seeing the same input voltage (signal strength) and you're good to go. Best way is an I/O mixing board. But few have them?

As you can see, A-B comparison is not all that easy. The speaker switch box is a good start, but it goes on from there !
 
I bought some banana plug adapters for screw terminals from eBay - the seller was in Hong Kong, but they arrived very quickly. They work very well for me.
 
Switching between receivers

I ran across this thread while looking for information on how to switch between multiple receivers using the same set of speakers. I have several receivers I would like to listen to and compare but space does not allow me to have a whole bunch of speakers wired up. I have a Sansui 881, Sansui QRX 5500, Sansui 5000 and Marantz 2285. Is there a speaker switch box that I can wire all or some of these receivers to and go to only one set of speakers? If I simply switch to another receiver using a remote switch will it harm my receiver? I remember reading to never turn on your receiver without speakers hooked up to it. Would switching remotely be like running the receiver without speakers? I could use the "Off" position on the speaker select switch on the individual receiver when switching to a different one, but what if I forgot?
 
IF you can find one (and can afford it when you do), there are selector boxes out there that allow you to select from multiple inputs and outputs, routing the signal from wherever to wherever. These were/are usually used in dealerships to demo various gear for different customers. That's why there aren't too many out there. But they make a great solution, if you can get one.

There are also smaller models. I have three decent JVC switchers that each have two inputs and four outputs to select from. Adcom also makes a nice one with six outputs. By "daisy-chaining" them (using the output from one as an input to another) you can build up a larger capacity, although remember that the more switches or connectors you put in the signal path, the more chance for sonic degradation.

As for switching speakers around using wires (not a switchbox), I agree that banana plugs (using those adaptors where needed) is the easiest route. You COULD also decide to replace your connectors with ones that accept bananas, and do away with the need for adaptors.
 
These flex-pins accept a banana in the socket where the wire would go, if you were making a permanent installation.
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FoolForARadio said:
I was thinking more low tech, just an easy way to quick-connect/disconnect speaker wires.
Click to expand...
I know what you mean- I was thinking of just running a set of speaker cables from each of my amps to a single point (perhaps a box with amps labelled?) in front that is quickly and easily accessable and fitting the cables with something like the socket luninvynil posted. Labelled cables from each pair of speakers, fitted with banana plugs would be available at the same point, permitting quick swaps between amps/speaker for comparison. I shouldn't imagine that would have any discernable effect on the sound.
 
One idea (that I saw on here) for quick disconnect/reconnect would be to wire some male & female extension cord ends to speaker wire...unplug...plug in...good to go....or use simple extension cords i.e. "lamp cables"
 
Arkay said:
IF you can find one (and can afford it when you do), there are selector boxes out there that allow you to select from multiple inputs and outputs, routing the signal from wherever to wherever. These were/are usually used in dealerships to demo various gear for different customers. That's why there aren't too many out there. But they make a great solution, if you can get one.

There are also smaller models. I have three decent JVC switchers that each have two inputs and four outputs to select from. Adcom also makes a nice one with six outputs. By "daisy-chaining" them (using the output from one as an input to another) you can build up a larger capacity, although remember that the more switches or connectors you put in the signal path, the more chance for sonic degradation.

As for switching speakers around using wires (not a switchbox), I agree that banana plugs (using those adaptors where needed) is the easiest route. You COULD also decide to replace your connectors with ones that accept bananas, and do away with the need for adaptors.
Click to expand...

The store-display switchers mentioned above are what you're looking for, sort of a mechanical matrix. You do need to stay aware of the amp's status, if you care about your gear.

I've got Adcom (2), JVC, Realistic and Niles speaker selectors here, and all of them audibly affect the quality of the music you hear out of the other speakers. Not great for A/B testing of speakers or amps for me, unfortunately. Somewhat useful tools when setting up/testing a large house system or for distributing among a bunch of outdoor zones maybe, but I'd never leave one in-line in any critical listening zone. YMMV.

I've had recommendations for a Pro Co RMS-2, for exactly what you're attempting. Love the company's products, haven't tried that piece, though.

http://www.fullcompass.com/common/files/2670-RMS2A%20ProCo%20specs.pdf



je
 
I have a box by Russound, 2 receivers into a single set of speakers. It was around $30. You can make your own with DPDT toggle switches.

Or.....something like this:
0402000313-l.jpg
 
I would not recommend a speaker switch-box for this purpose, and the dedicated input switch boxes are expensive and hard to come by.

For running a few amps to the same pair of speakers I would consider putting speaker wire in all the amps, routing them to a single location in your room where they are easily accessible, and mounting banana plugs and jacks, making sure that the male banana plugs are on the speaker-side (duh!) and the female on the receiver side - disconnect and reconnect as needed.

A little slower than a dedicated switch box, but it would work better than fooling around with the wires behind the rack.
 
It would seem no one makes an inexpensive device to switch between several amplifiers and one set of speakers. I looked at the ProCo switch box mentioned by Fred and it will indeed allow two amplifiers to hook up to multiple speakers set ups but is really more for that purpose than multiple amps. There were several suggestions about making an easy interchange central box for speakers using bananna plugs but there again, the purpose seems to be to allow using several different sets of speakers easily. I would like to do the opposite and just use one set of speakers. It would be easy to build one like that but I still wonder, do I need to worry about disconnecting speakers from an operating amplifier without manually turning the speaker selector switch on the receiver to "off"?
 
Now we're talkin'. That's exactly what I was looking for including the protection for the amp. I'd like to have th option to plug in more amps (like 4), but two is better than nothing. Thanks for the link.
 
vinyldavid said:
I echo an earlier answer....
Mixing board....
I do have a TASCAM M-80 that was $65.
Click to expand...

but would that accomodate speaker outs? it's perfect for line level inputs, but seems like it wouldn't quite work for monitoring one pair of speakers via different amps.
 
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