Dual-Banana Connectors - Are They Going Away?

[AudiocRaver]

Dual-banana connections used to be so standard. The electrostatics from MartinLogan have a different spacing between the positive and negative terminals so the dual plugs will not fit. I have had to pull the dual-banana connectors off of my cables at the speaker end and replace them with single-banana connectors.

The manufacturer of the AVR I started working with recently did the same thing, spaced the speaker connectors so dual-banana will not fit. So now I am pulling off connectors at the amp end and replacing them with single bananas. What gives? I always thought dual banana connectors worked great. Is this some sort of a plot?

 

[Tony V.]

I agree, spacing of the connectors does not seem to have a standard any more. I think due to companies trying to save on space they are changing the gaps just to annoy us. My biggest concern would be to do this change live (should never do this) but have the positive and neg touch each other wile making the change. With the joined banana connectors this could not happen.

 

[AudiocRaver]

Yes, so much safer!

I guess the lesson is to check the spacing before you assume you have the cables/connectors ytou need for a new speaker or AVR, you might be surprised!

 

[Matthew J Poes]

This has been a common problem for a while. Dual bananas are not common anymore as most products aren't spaced for them. Maybe someone knows why. Changing standards?

I'd rather see binding posts go away in favor of something better. Speakon would be fine with me.

 

[AudiocRaver]

I think it might be a way to gently push us in the direction of a new speaker connector standard.

 

[Sonnie]

The only time I care about using banana type connectors is during our speaker evaluation event, cause we are swapping out so many different speakers. Otherwise, I prefer spades (which won't work on the ESL Electromotion ... or bare wire, which is how my wire is connected to my amps. I have never felt bananas gave a good enough permanent connection... they would be considered the weak link in my connection from the amp to the speaker. With the missing connection points on the bananas... well... I lose the air between notes on certain songs.

 

[Todd Anderson]

I like banana connectors - which, as Sonnie points out, largely has to do with the ease of switching things in and out.

But, I also like to live on the edge, and banana connectors help me do that.

 

[Sonnie]

Just as long as you realize you could be missing some music when you use them... of course that's living on the edge.

 

[AudiocRaver]

In a system that stays fairly stable, like yours, Sonnie, a more stable, permanent connection makes sense. They are certainly a semi-weak link. My system has to be pretty easy to change, and at times those changes are daily. I would go nuts if spades were my only option, so I live on the edge and put up with them for their convenience. It's just a bit less convenient when the spacing is non-standard. If there was a good reason for the non-standard spacing..... Other than just to annoy us.....

And I have drip cups under them to catch the music that leaks out between the leaves of the connector. I just mix it with juice and drink it later!

 

[leecreek]

I think the reason they are spaced wider apart now is for finger grip when tightening them up when not using plugs. They were popular on test equipment in the 70's.

 

[tesseract]

I do not think there is a banana conspiracy or anything, just the lack of a standard. From all of the speakers I get to see over the years, I don't this changing anytime soon, there are so many different inputs being used.

A standard would be nice, dual bananas are certainly more safe, Speakon would be my choice, but I am a hardcore spade man when it can be done. Even so, I have had difficulties. Many years ago, I had pair of spaded Audioquest cables that did not fit my Acoustic Research floorstanders and I had to spread them quite a bit.