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Best affordable banana plugs? And speaker wire etc

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I like the ones at 2.19.

I don't like the ones that are metal as when they touch with amp on, there can be problems. Some cover em in heat shrink, I just buy the right parts. I like dual bananas, better for all my speakers, easier to use and the + and - will never touch. The Pomona MDT is the preferred dual banana, quality all the way. The chinese crap ones have extended tip grub screws so using anything but a 20 Ga wire pushes the grub screw back so it can not grab the threads in the plug. Then the banana peels, pure junk. Pomona or those at 2.19 a pop for me.
 
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Blue Shadow said:
I like the ones at 2.19.

I don't like the ones that are metal as when they touch with amp on, there can be problems. Some cover em in heat shrink, I just buy the right parts. I like dual bananas, better for all my speakers, easier to use and the + and - will never touch. The Pomona MDT is the preferred dual banana, quality all the way. The chinese crap ones have extended tip grub screws so using anything but a 20 Ga wire pushes the grub screw back so it can not grab the threads in the plug. Then the banana peels, pure junk. Pomona or those at 2.19 a pop for me.
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So these ones are better?https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=2944
Or these https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=21916
Thanks !!
 
I have some of those Monoprice banana plugs at the top of your link and they work just fine for me. I also use the Nakamichi banana plugs widely available on both Amazon & the 'Bay. The Nak ones have 2 screws to secure the wire as shown below, works for me. One word of advice regarding these, do not back the screw all the way out of the plug, just enough to slide the wire in, otherwise you will be crawling around looking for a tiny screw.
525x525px-LL-4a18d77f_vbattach132586.jpeg
 
RT Fan said:
I have some of those Monoprice banana plugs at the top of your link and they work just fine for me. I also use the Nakamichi banana plugs widely available on both Amazon & the 'Bay. The Nak ones have 2 screws to secure the wire as shown below, works for me. One word of advice regarding these, do not back the screw all the way out of the plug, just enough to slide the wire in, otherwise you will be crawling around looking for a tiny screw.
525x525px-LL-4a18d77f_vbattach132586.jpeg
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Most of those on eBay and Amazon are counterfeit. :confused:
 
darkblue94 said:
Most of those on eBay and Amazon are counterfeit. :confused:
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At those prices I am not surprised but to be honest they work just fine. I also made sure the seller was based here in the USA, although that and $2.50 will get you on the subway.
 
ultumax said:
I found these but how good are they ? https://www.monoprice.com/search/index?keyword=Banana+Plugs
What is the open version for ? One had a open faced banana plug ?
And what is best affordable speaker wire maybe a tier over the low end stuff ?or is there not much of a sound quality difference?
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I have used those, they are fine.

ultumax said:
So these ones are better?https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=2944
Or these https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=21916
Thanks !!
Click to expand...

As has been stated better/best is a preference.
 
2944 is the one I would use.

Dual banana, one plug and you are done.
Available in colors for right and left channels when you have the speaker wires out in the room and limited access to the back of the 75 pound amplifier
They hold a large gauge wire just fine.
Appears to have a tab on the black side to indicate GND as does the Pomona MDT. Easy to get speakers phased properly.

Don't fully tin the ends, just the very tip as the solder compresses over time making the banana whatever you use loose.
 
darkblue94 said:
Most of those on eBay and Amazon are counterfeit. :confused:
Click to expand...

I've always figured they were fakes but I'm not buying them for the name and I've bought name brand ones from reputable sources that were more of pain to use.

I have had decent luck with the ones like these
temp.jpg
The ones that RT Fan listed seem to be a newer version of the same 'brand'. The newer ones look like they'd be easier to grip. The thing I like about these is it is the color isn't subtle on them :) It is usually quick and easy to get them secured on the end of the wire too.
And I second RT Fan's statement about non-metal housings. I guess some metal ones are coated to make them non-conductive but I still prefer plastic

I have had them show up with all the screws bouncing around loose in the bag, which makes it fun.
 
Dual bananas are best — if your amp and speakers use the standard spacing. This "standard" is relatively new — I have many components that just won't take duals. So best to have a stock of singles as well.
 
15572697534515305854004150586746.jpg These are expanding/locking by turning knob. Locking feature, I believe, reduces possibility of coming out and shorting out. Can piggyback another banana for parallel wiring two sets speakers. Plastic covered, gold plated brass. Two set screws. Accepts large wire. I bought from Parts Express at about (corrected) $18 for two pair.
Not cheap, but my favorites. Best and affordable at same time, seems polar opposites.
 
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RT Fan said:
I have some of those Monoprice banana plugs at the top of your link and they work just fine for me. I also use the Nakamichi banana plugs widely available on both Amazon & the 'Bay. The Nak ones have 2 screws to secure the wire as shown below, works for me. One word of advice regarding these, do not back the screw all the way out of the plug, just enough to slide the wire in, otherwise you will be crawling around looking for a tiny screw.
525x525px-LL-4a18d77f_vbattach132586.jpeg
Click to expand...
Got some of these cheapo's, they work fantastic!
 
I have bought at least 8 different brands the past few years looking for what the OP is....the best for the money.\

I do agree that the ones with the screws are the best. But after all the going back and forth I now only use banana plugs for the Marantz HT amp and those only on the amp connections. When I had my Imperial 6s recapped two years ago I had better terminals installed so I could use the plugs. But I just decided to stick the wire through the hole and be done with it. What the hell, one less bit of metal between the wire and speaker.

I guess if one changed speakers all the time and was put off by a bit of finger twisting they would be worth it.......or they just like the look. I have bags of them laying around.
 
darkblue94 said:
There's no such thing as "best," there's just whatever works best for you within your budget and whatever compromises you're willing to accept.
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The OP asked opinions for the best affordable items. Actually out in the abyss of the internet there is indeed a best affordable banana plug. Which one is it? Maybe he will find out. And before you continue to split hairs, the term "affordable" usually means lower end of the spectrum.
 
Affordable is a completely subjective term. The least expensive banana connectors that I use are silver plated Furez connectors. I paid retail which is 25 bucks a pair but careful shopping can get them for about 7.50 a pair.KIMG1259.jpg (Doh!) . They are a big step up from cheap Monoprice and knockoff ebay plugs IMO. Any good OFC pure copper speaker wire will do just fine.
 
Roadrash said:
Affordable is a completely subjective term. The least expensive banana connectors that I use are silver plated Furez connectors. I paid retail which is 25 bucks a pair but careful shopping can get them for about 7.50 a pair.View attachment 1501723 (Doh!) . They are a big step up from cheap Monoprice and knockoff ebay plugs IMO. Any good OFC pure copper speaker wire will do just fine.
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Ehh they are ok. I dont find them any better than the Monoprice one that were rated so well in the article above.
 
Old Guy8 said:
View attachment 1501620 These are expanding/locking by turning knob. Locking feature, I believe, reduces possibility of coming out and shorting out. Can piggyback another banana for parallel wiring two sets speakers. Plastic covered, gold plated brass. Two set screws. Accepts large wire. I bought from Parts Express at about (corrected) $18 for two pair.
Not cheap, but my favorites. Best and affordable at same time, seems polar opposites.
Click to expand...
Do you think they would work with 14 gauge wire ?

I may have to order a set.
 
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