[Fluty]

Because of different connectors at each end (spades / bananas) I want to reverse the direction of my speaker cables in order to connect a new pair of speakers. They're high quality (read: expensive) silver cables & its a pain to reverse them, but this would be easier than changing the terminations. Directionality seems to be controversial - does anyone here have any experience of this? I know I should listen for myself, but, as I implied, changing the direction is difficult (because of access - the 12 foot cables go under the floor). Thanks!

[Letitroll98]

Can I be so impetuous to ask why they need to be reversed?  Most speakers have five way binding posts.  Then I thought because it's the GR Circle they might be Speakon at the speaker end, but that doesn't fit my brain either.  Curious minds want to know.

[AllanS]

The only possibility I can conceive of is grain orientation related wire draw directionality.  If that’s a non issue then I imagine electron reorientation, if a thing of concern, is only a matter of hours of play time.
 I’ve inadvertently run cables backwards without hearing a difference but I’m among the least sensitive to such changes.

Letitroll98 my situation may be different but I recently had to get the amp end of my cables reterminated from locking 45 degree bananas to straight bananas because the binding posts of my amps were either stacked, leading to awkward orientation, or too close to the bottom of the chassis to clear the shelf.  The same problem exists with a second set of cables with spades.

[Fluty]

Can I be so impetuous to ask why they need to be reversed?  Most speakers have five way binding posts.  Then I thought because it's the GR Circle they might be Speakon at the speaker end, but that doesn't fit my brain either.  Curious minds want to know.

The speaker binding posts are unusual, by Danish company Argento Audio. They won't accept my right angle WBT bananas because they have (what they call) a "protective sheath" which needs a straight banana plug in order to reach through the sheath & make contact. The cables are cryogenically treated and so I don't want to change the plugs! If I reverse the direction then the spades, which are presently at the amplifier end, will fit the speakers with no problem, and there's plenty of space around the amplifier end to accommodate both the bi-wire spades  + bananas. Its a big job to reverse the cable, but easier than changing the connectors. However, I don't want to compromise the sound!

[AllanS]

Is it possible to swap amp and speaker positions to test, even if it’s in near field?

[Bodhi]

The speaker binding posts are unusual, by Danish company Argento Audio. They won't accept my right angle WBT bananas because they have (what they call) a "protective sheath" which needs a straight banana plug in order to reach through the sheath & make contact. The cables are cryogenically treated and so I don't want to change the plugs! If I reverse the direction then the spades, which are presently at the amplifier end, will fit the speakers with no problem, and there's plenty of space around the amplifier end to accommodate both the bi-wire spades  + bananas. Its a big job to reverse the cable, but easier than changing the connectors. However, I don't want to compromise the sound!

Fyi VH Audio sell most popular high end connnectors, and offer cryo treatment as an option (see link - https://www.vhaudio.com/cryo.html). But I understand if you don't want to mess with the factory terminations. Re: reversing the cables, as other members noted - as long as the cables aren't directional there is no problem reversing them, and the cables should settle in within a couple of days without getting too techy. It's easy to tell if the cables are directional, as there are usually arrows pointing in the direction the signal is meant to go. But if in doubt, i'd check with the cable manufacturer.

[Bodhi]

If a copper/silver alloy speaker cable exhibits directional bias, then this would only confirm impurities present
So if you contact the company and ask if their $2000 4 metre cables are directional - it would be in their interests to say no.

I'd rather not generalise. I'm happy to stick with my advice to the OP.

[Letitroll98]

The speaker binding posts are unusual, by Danish company Argento Audio. They won't accept my right angle WBT bananas because they have (what they call) a "protective sheath" which needs a straight banana plug in order to reach through the sheath & make contact. The cables are cryogenically treated and so I don't want to change the plugs! If I reverse the direction then the spades, which are presently at the amplifier end, will fit the speakers with no problem, and there's plenty of space around the amplifier end to accommodate both the bi-wire spades  + bananas. Its a big job to reverse the cable, but easier than changing the connectors. However, I don't want to compromise the sound!

Thanks, that makes perfect sense.  With the added description I would never try reterminating the cables at home.  Typically these cables are terminated using very high pressure "cold welding" techniques that you can't reproduce unless you have a well equipped home workshop.  I've never heard much difference in direction in any cables, maybe a little with some rca cables that had the shield disconnected on one end, but nothing I'd hang my hat on.  But I always follow the arrows on the jacket because why not.  However in your case the negative consequences of reterminating far outweighs the pain of fishing the cables under the floor.  The only other option might be some kind of adaptor?  No idea about where you'd find something suitable, but worth some Google search.  Best of luck.

[Solarflares]

  The only other option might be some kind of adaptor?  No idea about where you'd find something suitable, but worth some Google search.  Best of luck.

Since most aftermarket adaptors are products of China, with their dubious Copper-purity and lo-grade Silver-plating - you’d soon be posting an “Are My Adaptors Directional” thread.   Lol

[MarvinTheMartian]

First I would contact the endpoints . both Argento Audio and Amphion , tell them your predicament, and see if they have a simple solution.
One white lie required to simplify and elevate your issue , tell them you have WBT bananas at both ends : ) 

Can the banana  mode 'protective cup'  be made to work with angled WBT banana  connectors?
-  simply omit protective cup and still connect correctly? Abet not 100% safely in Europe. 
-  Argento may already have a WBT compatible  substitute  cup
-  worst case scenario ask for instructions / permission and manually modify the existing cup with appropriate tools.

Shawn

[DaveC113]

The speaker binding posts are unusual, by Danish company Argento Audio. They won't accept my right angle WBT bananas because they have (what they call) a "protective sheath" which needs a straight banana plug in order to reach through the sheath & make contact. The cables are cryogenically treated and so I don't want to change the plugs! If I reverse the direction then the spades, which are presently at the amplifier end, will fit the speakers with no problem, and there's plenty of space around the amplifier end to accommodate both the bi-wire spades  + bananas. Its a big job to reverse the cable, but easier than changing the connectors. However, I don't want to compromise the sound!

WBT uses a set screw termination that is almost exactly the same from spade to banana, you could buy 4 bananas and replace the spades very easily, it might be easier than pulling the cable since you have the cables installed in the floor/wall.

Many folks will tell you wire is directional. It is, when drawn the grain boundaries form a chevron shape so the wire is indeed directional. I have people who have told me UPOCC wire is directional, but I sent a couple people cables assembled with wire in one direction and another with the wire direction mixed 50/50. Both folks told me the directional cable sounded better, but it was really the 50/50 mix. I honestly can't tell and in this particular case I don't think there's any difference. I am pretty sure most UPOCC wire isn't strongly directional as there is no grain boundaries, but UPOCC starts as a cast billet and is then drawn to size, so it is possible UPOCC wire may be directional depending on exactly how it's made. With conventional wire there's a much stronger argument to be made that the wire will indeed sound different depending on direction. Your cable manufacturer may or may not be aware of any of this, and it may or may not matter depending on how the cable is assembled and it's particular geometry.

[MarvinTheMartian]

Dave has a very good point that I missed.
WBT uses a common wire crimp wrap + set screw termination system that is almost exactly the same between spade and banana connectors .
If you have WBT's at both ends maybe all you need is a Torx M4 driver bit to pull off the spade / banana swap.

Too simple ?
Shawn