Banana Plugs (back to Speaker Cabling)

Attachment Methods

Here are all the different ways the wire can be attached to the banana plug:

Twist Crimp: The bare wire is inserted into the hollow end of the plug which has internal threads, and the then the plug is threaded on.
Set screw: The bare wire is inserted into the hollow end of the plug and then held by one or two set screws.
Screw-in Cone Crimp: The bare wire is inserted through a hollow, screw base so that some of it sticks out the end (the overhang). Then the base is inserted into the hollow end of the plug and screwed in. A cone-shaped recess inside the plug grips the overhanging wire. Monster calls this QuickLock.
Side entry with Screw-in Crimp. The bare wire is inserted in a hole in the side of the plug and then held by a small metal plug and the screw-in base. Since the wire sticks out the side instead of the back, the back can be hollow so as to receive a second, piggyback banana plug.
Solder on. The bare wire is inserted into the hollow end and then soldered in place.
Crimp. The bare wire is inserted into the hollow end and then the metal is crimped with a special tool to hold the wire.

Banana plugs come as single plugs or as duplexes rigidly held together, and spaced a fixed distance apart. The duplex plugs have the advantage that their easier to insert (you insert two at once) and that if they fall out the conductors are less likely to short.

Review of Banana- Plug Models

Prices are per plug; sometimes there are 2 or more in a package. Unless otherwise noted, all are gold plated. These are all singles. In some cases the same style is available as a duplex as well. The links are to web sites that sell or describe the plug.

Radio Shack Gold Series (278-306)

$3. Screw-in cone crimp.

Looks to be of excellent quality. No installation instructions, which is unfortunate because wire can easily slip out if improperly installed (not enough overhanging wire—see description of cone crimp, above).

Radio Shack Gold Series (278-307)

$3.50. Solder on.

Unusual in that there's a screw in piece that expands the banana part, locking it into the banana jack. That and the fact that the wire is soldered in makes this plug unusually secure and tight fitting.

RCA Deluxe Banana Plug (AH10)

$3 at Home Depot. Two set screws.

Banana part longer than most; wiggles in several jacks I tried. Might be OK, though. Metal screw-on collar is for appearance only and can be screwed on after wire is attached, which is convenient since forgetting the collar or boot is common when you're installing these kinds of plugs.

AR (AP307)

$2.25 at Best Buy. Set screw.

Not as secure as the RCA, which has two set screws. Plastic boot has to be put on before cable is attached.

Calrad Electronics (30-602)

$3 from local hardware store. Side entry.

Very secure connection. Accepts piggyback plug. Banana part spins freely, may be an advantage or disadvantage.

Calrad Electronics (30-600)

$0.90 from local hardware store. Set screw.

Accepts piggyback plug via hole in side, rather than end (wire goes in end).

Monster Cable Twist Crimp

$4. Twist crimp.

Too small for 12-gauge speaker wire.

Monster Cable Twist Crimp Extra Thick

$3. Twist crimp.

Cheaper than the regular Twist Crimp, for some reason.

Monster Cable QuickLock

$5. Screw-in Cone Crimp.

Big and solid, unlike the Monster Twist Crimps.

Monster Cable Monster Lock

$6.25. Crimp on.

A two-part system that allows you to change the tip easily (banana, pin, spade). For each cable you need a Master Pin (usable all by itself for equipment with spring clips, instead of binding posts) plus a Termination. Price above includes both pieces.

©2001, 2002 Marc J. Rochkind. All rights reserved. Send comments about this site to site@htexplained.com.