Author Topic: Spade Lugs for speaker wire termination  (Read 6761 times)

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Offline stereophile

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Spade Lugs for speaker wire termination
« on: Nov 26, 2002 at 04:56 AM »
Hello! I'm a new member of PinoyDVD. Does anyone know where I can get spade lugs for speakerwire  termination? Banana plugs are usually available. I read somewhere that spade lugs offer the best contact. I've been looking at some hardware stores, electrical supplies including Radioshack. Most have small spade lugs (aluminum like in material) which have to be crimped. Are there brass or goldplated ones locally available for a reasonable price? I ask because these can be soldered. Will crimping offer the same conductance as soldering the termination? Please help me out. Thanks.  :)

rtsy

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Re:Spade Lugs for speaker wire termination
« Reply #1 on: Nov 26, 2002 at 05:27 AM »
Banana plugs are usually available. I read somewhere that spade lugs offer the best contact.

Actually, I think bare wire termination is best.  I know someone who had brightness issues with his speakers.  Changed tubes, tried wires, moved placement, etc.  In the end, the solution was he took out the wire terminations on his speaker cables.

Offline arnoldc

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Re:Spade Lugs for speaker wire termination
« Reply #2 on: Nov 26, 2002 at 10:16 AM »
stereophile, you can buy spade lugs at radio shack. depending on your speaker wire, and all the components in your system, bare wire or spade terminated is something you have to hear for yourself.

Offline Aylwin

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Re:Spade Lugs for speaker wire termination
« Reply #3 on: Nov 26, 2002 at 05:48 PM »
Sorry, Russell but I disagree.  I think spade connectors are still the best.  Also, crimping is actually better than than soldering.  Soldering is good if you can use lead-free silver solder.

I'm not very good with technical explanations so I did a quick search.  I think it's best if we hear directly from the experts.  Below is a link from Audio Asylum:

http://db.AudioAsylum.com/cgi/m.pl?forum=cables&n=58079

Have a look at the reply of Jon Risch.  He is well respected in the audiophile world.  I'm sure with a bit more research we'll see a general consensus that spades are best.

Offline stereophile

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Re:Spade Lugs for speaker wire termination
« Reply #4 on: Nov 26, 2002 at 10:50 PM »
Thanks for your inputs guys. I'll check out Radioshack again. Hopefully they'll have the right size spade lugs I need. Will try first connecting the speaker wires bare , then with spades and see which offers the best sonics. I guess in the end its what sounds best to my ears.  :)

Offline old_age

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Re:Spade Lugs for speaker wire termination
« Reply #5 on: Nov 27, 2002 at 05:46 PM »
I agree that bare wire makes a lot of difference than using banana plugs or spade.  I agree also with rtsy that it adds brightness in sound.  I am using a Yamaha RXV800, Musical Fidelity X-10D and X-PSU, with Mission M74 with IXOS Gamma Geometry 6006.  With bare wire, the sound obviously becomes warmer.  In fact, I am disposing my used 3 pairs of banana plugs and 4 pairs of spade lugs because i believe in bare wire.

BUT STILL, let your ears decide for it.  Reviews of specific AV equipment and accessories are meant to be just reference and not as the sole parameter in deciding.  It is still your taste that shall prevail afterall.

« Last Edit: Nov 28, 2002 at 07:04 AM by new_age »
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Offline tuff_u_gong

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Re:Spade Lugs for speaker wire termination
« Reply #6 on: Nov 28, 2002 at 05:33 AM »
hi guys,

so far, i'm still doing a lot of experimenting with my speaker placements that's why i'm still using banana plugs. eventually, however, i'm bound to settle for a more permanent setup so deciding between bare wire and spades will soon be an issue for me too (at least for my front and center speakers)

have a few question about spade connections:
are the crimping tools fairly standard? do they come in sets? what are some of the reasonably priced brands? will they fit with most types of binding posts?

thanks!

Offline dondon

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Re:Spade Lugs for speaker wire termination
« Reply #7 on: Nov 28, 2002 at 12:40 PM »
put em'  bare, screw em' tight. :) may loss pa rin kahit gold spades gamitin, also the way it was crimped will make a big difference. if its machine crimped baka pa.

 in network cables for example, you can't use hand crimped cables, its mandatory to use machine crimped cables para maiwasan downtime.


Offline stereophile

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Re:Spade Lugs for speaker wire termination
« Reply #8 on: Nov 28, 2002 at 06:07 PM »
Earlier, I asked which was better, crimping versus soldered connections for the spade lugs. Personally, I would lean more to silver soldered as superior--if you can get hold of silver solder. I couldn't find any locally. They just sell the standard 60/40(?) solder. If not crimped tightly, like by machine, then I expect some loss of conductance.

I'd like to mention that there is another way of attaching the spade lug. A month or so ago, I saw at Audio Visual in EDSA Shang some imported, robust, gold-plated spade lugs which have set screws built in. Simply slip in the bare wire, tighten the set screw and your done. Neat and classy. So was the price when I asked how much the pair was. I don't remember anymore, but I just had to admire them from a distance. That was why I started the thread in the first place, to find a cheaper solution, yet maximize the conductance of the speaker wire.

Offline levi

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Re:Spade Lugs for speaker wire termination
« Reply #9 on: Sep 01, 2003 at 06:37 PM »
bump

Offline D75C

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Re:Spade Lugs for speaker wire termination
« Reply #10 on: Sep 01, 2003 at 07:02 PM »
Bare wire rules! :)
You wonder why it still not good enough after spending P1M.

Offline oweidah

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bare wire vs. banana/spades
« Reply #11 on: Jan 24, 2007 at 03:26 PM »

Offline qguy

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Re: bare wire vs. banana/spades
« Reply #12 on: Jan 25, 2007 at 11:51 AM »
took you 4 years to agree..hehehe

yup! ;D

Offline oweidah

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Re: bare wire vs. banana/spades
« Reply #13 on: Jan 25, 2007 at 12:05 PM »
took you 4 years to agree..hehehe


started with barewires but got used to banana plugsnplay now back to basics trying to squeeze to the last drop every minute improvement i can with my entry level setup ;D (& tnx to a fellow member whose experience with bare wire  prodded me to give it another try.)
 

Offline el-el

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Re: Spade Lugs for speaker wire termination
« Reply #14 on: Jan 26, 2007 at 09:26 PM »
better conductivity pa rin pag bare wires - basta maganda yung clip ng amp ha....  :D

Offline odyopayl

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Re: Spade Lugs for speaker wire termination
« Reply #15 on: Mar 17, 2007 at 01:26 PM »
better conductivity pa rin pag bare wires - basta maganda yung clip ng amp ha....  :D

Agree, bare wires pa rin ang da best, the materials & the bonding quality  use for termination have effects on the sound especially with speaker wires. However, using known termination such as Cardas, WBT etc. can almost match the quality of bare wire but with convenience, elegance & class ;D Of course it will preserve the exposed speaker wires from damage due to  stress from our speakars & amplifier terminals during connection.
« Last Edit: Mar 17, 2007 at 01:33 PM by odyopayl »
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Offline Le_Stat

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Re: Spade Lugs for speaker wire termination
« Reply #16 on: May 31, 2007 at 12:41 PM »
bump !
Only tax payer's should vote !

Offline positive_noise

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Re: Spade Lugs for speaker wire termination
« Reply #17 on: Sep 12, 2010 at 08:25 AM »
Where can you buy audiophile quality spades?

Offline simonzaide

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Re: Spade Lugs for speaker wire termination
« Reply #18 on: Sep 12, 2010 at 08:44 AM »
Try the mcs stores

Offline CeeV

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Re: Spade Lugs for speaker wire termination
« Reply #19 on: Sep 12, 2010 at 07:45 PM »
sir saan ang MCS store? any particular addy?

Offline ron_cs

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Re: Spade Lugs for speaker wire termination
« Reply #20 on: Sep 15, 2010 at 03:44 PM »
Sir sa Makati Cinema Square, punta sa ka basement maraming audio shop doon :)
From The Land Down Under

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Re: Spade Lugs for speaker wire termination
« Reply #21 on: Sep 15, 2010 at 06:59 PM »
 ;D...ahhhhh Makati Cinema Sq pala...MCS...huh, mahina talaga ilong ko. :-[

Offline Stagea

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Re: Spade Lugs for speaker wire termination
« Reply #22 on: Sep 16, 2010 at 06:45 AM »
Huling punta ko dun yung spades nila eh puro mga crimp and solder type. Wala sila nung mga de-screw.  :(

Offline musika

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Re: Spade Lugs for speaker wire termination
« Reply #23 on: Sep 16, 2010 at 09:42 AM »


Available at Audioworld, P150/pc. call them at 7426843

Offline musika

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Re: Spade Lugs for speaker wire termination
« Reply #24 on: Sep 16, 2010 at 09:49 AM »
They have Furutech cables where you can order this