Loudspeaker Connectors

[mah]

Neutrik. Any problems for home use?

Binding posts-is there a supplier that has the larger ones, e.g. the type that were used on vintage measuring instruments and Lab. power boards?
Are the modern 'banana-type OK?

Cheers, Marshall.

[magnarc]

I quite like Neutrik Speakons. No fuss and easy to work with. No soldering.

You can get right angle ones too, and Penn make nice small dishes with the cutout for the socket.

[GM]

None I'm aware of.

The best connector is none of course, but based on the numerous, varied UL/CSA testing I was exposed to, second best is a cold soldered (properly crimped) silver plated OFC ring tongue connector with flat, split lock washers properly torqued (over-tightening can be as bad/worse than under-tightening) to a silver plated OFC pad.

'Properly crimped' is typically too expensive for the casual DIYer due to the relatively high tool cost, but this one or similar is plenty good enough for any typical wire crimping requirements around the home. If you use one of the cheap/generic ones, then flowing a bit of silver bearing solder to seal voids is desirable.

Universal Crimping System

Long Reach Crimping Tool

There may be some $$ 'super-fi' $$ banana connectors available that will test/perform well *over time*, but I've yet to be exposed to them, so might as well use 1/4" phono plugs IME if you just want a cheap, decent performing quick connect. Even trailer hitch or similar pull-a-parts work well when smaller gauge wire is electrically 'large' for the app.

Regardless of the connection though, if the environment is the least bit damp and/or caustic (like where I live), coating connections with an electrically conducting coating is a good plan, though me and many other DIYers just either smear a bit of petroleum jelly or anti-seize compound. You wouldn't believe the number of electrical problems I've 'fixed' by merely cleaning/coating connections.

http://www.tessco.com/products/displayProductInfo.do?sku=437469&eventPage=1

http://www.sealanddesign.com/category/7/Loctite/page/104/Lubricating/cpage/49/Anti_Seize.aspx

GM

[joyspring]

Neutrik solderless Speakon connectors work quite well; they're almost entirely foolproof.

Crimped connectors are also excellent so long as you use a suitable crimp tool; the Klein #1005 that GM recommends is an industry-standard in the US and is available under USD40 at any big-box hardware shop. ALWAYS use a good crimp tool.

So long as you achieve a solid, gas-tight connection through proper crimping, solder flowing is probably unnecessary and may cause more problems than it solves, esp. at the DIY level.

BobR