Help me install speaker wire

September 14, 2006 5:13 PM

Help me escape speaker wire installation-purgatory -

So I went out and bought this Sony receiver and I'm having one hell of a time being able to attach the speaker wire. The connections on the back are not the "spring clip" type I'm accustomed to, but rather large plastic "screws" with what looks to be metal inside them (picture). I've stipped the wire (16 AWG) but every time I place the wire in the connector and "screw" it in, the wire falls out. This is driving me absolutely crazy.

What are the names of these damn things (binding posts? That's the closest I've come up with) and how do I get them to accept my speaker wire? Do I need some sort of termination part, or am I just an idiot?

posted by Fidel Cashflow to technology (12 answers total)

That looks familiar (I used to have a Sony receiver). Isn't there a hole in the metal interior of the screw through which you insert the stripped wire?
posted by Doofus Magoo at 5:17 PM on September 14, 2006

If they're like my Sony amp, you unscrew the plastic part which reveals a hole in the side of the post. Poke the wire through it and tighten the plastic part again.
posted by cillit bang at 5:23 PM on September 14, 2006

I think Doofus is right. My speakers have similar-looking connections, and there's a hole for the wire through the center of the shaft. If you unscrew the thing the whole way, you might have better luck both seeing the hole and getting the wire into it.
posted by diddlegnome at 5:23 PM on September 14, 2006

Banana pin terminators. 10 gauge.
posted by buzzman at 5:24 PM on September 14, 2006

Like this:


posted by Doofus Magoo at 5:25 PM on September 14, 2006

I'll agree with everyone that there's likely a hole in the post. If there isn't, try wrapping the wire around the post clockwise before you screw down the plastic bit. That way, the screwing action will tend to keep the wire on the post.
posted by pompomtom at 5:40 PM on September 14, 2006

My '70s Advent speakers don't have a hole in the post (I've got no idea how widespread the design is, though). Alternately, strip enough wire to make a sort of U-shape, or even a sort of Q-shape, then loop it over the post and crank down the plastic bit.
posted by box at 5:41 PM on September 14, 2006

No holes? Crimp these or these on the ends of the speaker wires.
posted by weapons-grade pandemonium at 5:52 PM on September 14, 2006

You could also use crimp-on spade lugs, like this:

http://www.amazon.com/o/ASIN/B000199K7Y/102-2212651-2132125?SubscriptionId=0GKY5T9AP29X0E3X4XG2&tag2=infiniteleisu-20

Make sure to match both the wire size and the diameter of the screw terminal.
posted by oats at 5:59 PM on September 14, 2006

Doofus Magoo - I'm a fucking idiot. I've been sticking it in through the hole in the center, not in the groove on the side.

Gee, ya know, this whole thing could be avoided if Sony printed something more than "Step 3: Attach Speaker Wire" in the manual.

Thanks, I've regained my sanity...
posted by Fidel Cashflow at 6:13 PM on September 14, 2006

Ugh! Don't use spade terminals on those. If you are going to put connectors on the ends of the cables, use banana connectors. You'll thank me later.
posted by shepd at 6:19 PM on September 14, 2006

They're multi binding posts. They take wire through, wire around, spade or banana.

For the power you're likely to be dealing with, any of them work, but the best, as mentioned, are good banana connectors. Bad ones will fall out.
posted by eriko at 5:54 AM on September 15, 2006