[rockadanny]

For speaker cables, which terminations are better for sound, spades or locking bananas?
And why?
I will not be connecting/disconnecting on a regular basis so don't care about convenience factor.

And do locking mechanisms eventually fail thru use?

Please,  I am not interested in discussing any other termination methods.

[Speedskater]

Sound wise, no difference.
But there may be mechanical reasons for choosing one or the other.

[AllanS]

Someone more knowledgeable about connector designs would need to weigh but my assumption is the connector that maximizes contact surface area and contact stress would be better.  I’m guessing spades would be preferred for those reasons.

Mechanically I prefer spades over bananas and how the cables lay but found the amp end to favor amps with horizontal binding posts that are elevated enough above the shelf, or deep enough, to provide cable clearance.  The speaker end was also a problem for me as the binding posts on my Spatial M4s are close to the floor.  Lesson learned too late for me is straight/locking bananas for general adaptability and spades for appropriate applications.

[toocool4]

For the largest contact area, British Federation of Audio (BFA) banana plug have a larger contact area over spade. Whether  it’s better sound quality or not I don’t know, a listening test would have to be done.

[newzooreview]

Low mass and high surface area are best, so I've always used pure copper BFA connectors. Locking bananas would be a second choice since they are at least securely connected. Spades are the opposite of optimal: high mass and low surface area. Spades also tends to come loose over time.

The GR Research tube connectors are essentially refined BFA connectors. I have not compared them to a standard BFA, but I wouldn't be surprised if they sound a little better on a revealing, well set up system in a good room.

[DaveC113]

For bananas, the only really good ones are pure copper and because of that they need to be locking, and they are expensive. For cheaper spades, DH Labs are pretty good and the same spade is sold by at least a dozen different audio companies. 

I dislike non-locking spades, they use friction which wears out plating and they are usually made of spring brass which is not good vs pure copper.

For spades, basic spades are often pure copper, no moving parts, larger surface area, less expensive.

Spades come in at a ~30 degree angle, bananas are either angled or straight... this can make a difference esp if you have an amp on a shelf with binding posts down low, spades won't fit unless you attach them from the top and on some speakers one angle might work out better than another.

[newzooreview]

For bananas, the only really good ones are pure copper and because of that they need to be locking,

Anticables, for example, sells gold-plated beryllium copper BFA connectors for $30 for a set of four. https://anticables.com/store/Banana-Plugs-Set-of-4-p103033872

These BFA connectors seat very securely without being locking and are not expensive.

GR Research sells a set of four pure copper tube connectors for $59. These also seat securely without a locking mechanism (other than the friction of the connector). They do require the matching tube connector female to be installed into the speaker, however, so they are most commonly used when building your own speaker although they could technically be retrofitted to any loudspeaker as a DIY project. https://gr-research.com/product/electra-cable-tube-connectors/

[DaveC113]

Anticables, for example, sells gold-plated beryllium copper BFA connectors for $30 for a set of four. https://anticables.com/store/Banana-Plugs-Set-of-4-p103033872

These BFA connectors seat very securely without being locking and are not expensive.

GR Research sells a set of four pure copper tube connectors for $59. These also seat securely without a locking mechanism (other than the friction of the connector). They do require the matching tube connector female to be installed into the speaker, however, so they are most commonly used when building your own speaker although they could technically be retrofitted to any loudspeaker as a DIY project. https://gr-research.com/product/electra-cable-tube-connectors/

Not a fan of BFA style, friction fit wears through plating. I want anything I make to last a lifetime so ymmv on that.

[Brisk]

A late contribution, but relevant from Benchmark Media's cable product page:

"In our lab tests we have found that heavy-duty 40-amp SpeakON™ connectors consistently outperform spade lugs, pins, and banana plugs. When SpeakON™ connectors cannot be used, we have found that locking banana plugs provide the next best connections. In contrast, spade lugs and pins often provide poor connections. Spring-type (non-locking) banana plugs almost always provide poor connections and should be avoided. The Benchmark AHB2 power amplifier is so clean that poor speaker connections can easily create more distortion than the entire power amplifier. We have seen this many times in the lab. The effects of poor speaker connections can easily be measured when testing the AHB2 power amplifier. We have learned that we cannot accurately measure the AHB2 unless we use SpeakON™ connectors or high-quality locking banana connectors."

Disregarding the statements to advertise the amp, I think I would take Benchmark's word as they do make extremely well measuring hardware, although your ability to hear differences that are lab detectable may vary.

[jimbop54]

“friction fit wears through plating”

It might if you are constantly unplugging and replugging, but seriously, do you really think this  would be an issue for most people?

[Bob2]

 Hey Danny, been using locking bananas for the last 3 years. These are installed and removed daily with zero problems. They stay snug and remove easily.

[Ericus Rex]

Anticables, for example, sells gold-plated beryllium copper BFA connectors for $30 for a set of four. https://anticables.com/store/Banana-Plugs-Set-of-4-p103033872

Looks like they've updated their site. Here is the new link:

https://anticables.com/speaker-wires-new/Banana-Plugs-Set-of-4-p103033872

[brooklyn]

I've been using high quality banana speaker connectors for a long time without issue.. That said, according to Cardas Audio there is more contact area with spades..

[DaveC113]

“friction fit wears through plating”

It might if you are constantly unplugging and replugging, but seriously, do you really think this  would be an issue for most people?

Jeez! You got me. I was lying. 

[DaveC113]

I've been using high quality banana speaker connectors for a long time without issue.. That said, according to Cardas Audio there is more contact area with spades..

More surface area and pressure. IDK what Benchmark tested to think spades aren't as good. Spades also have no moving parts and are less expensive. But ultimately, it doesn't matter much. I sell a lot of Furutech FT-211 and FT-212, they are both excellent and I do not think you'll hear any differences between the two.

[twitch54]

I've been using high quality banana speaker connectors for a long time without issue.. That said, according to Cardas Audio there is more contact area with spades..

and spades come in different sizes, as for bananas, are you talking locking or not ? Did you ever look at the binding post on a modern Pass Labs amp ? pretty slick when it comes to spade securement....

[FullRangeMan]

Banana plugs or P10 was invented at late 19th century for telephony (voice only mono) and works well for musical instruments too, but there is better solutions for hi-fi speakers connectors.

[gene9p]

bare wire is still the best 

[FullRangeMan]

bare wire is still the best 

+1.
I didn't want mention the real truth to fans of audio gadgets.
The more connections worse, more signal losses.

[twitch54]

+1.
I didn't want mention the real truth to fans of audio gadgets.
The more connections worse, more signal losses.

what kind of 'audio signal' goes through that ?