How to Use Banana Plugs?

Do you see bare wires attached to your speakers, or perhaps the cables get frizzy, resulting in poor sound quality? Using banana plugs might be the answer you are looking for.

We use banana plugs to connect wires to speakers and other audio-related equipment. Generally, they come in a cylinder shape.

They come in different brands with various price ranges. Some banana plugs can be more expensive than expected, while others can provide quality sound at an affordable price.

You might be wondering how you can use banana plugs. This article will help you utilize them and improve your listening experience.

Why Use Banana Plugs

Banana plugs are easy to install, but completing the process would take much time.

Despite the lengthy installation process, many audio experts recommend using a banana plug, and here’s why:

Durability

Banana plugs offer durability. They can make your wires last longer. Bare wires tend to loosen up and become frizzy, negatively affecting your speakers’ sound quality.

If you don’t want your cables to have issues after a few months of purchase, using banana plugs gives you the solution.

Cleaner

A messy installation can affect our mood, especially if we have OCD attributes. It will make your day miserable just by looking at the sloppy installation.

One of the best things about banana plugs is that it gives your cables a much more organized appearance when connected to your speakers.

Customizable appearance of your speakers

The most common misconception about banana plugs is that they come in black or red colors. Many manufacturers have created banana plugs in different colors; some are yellow, while others are blue.

Using them will not only make your speakers look cleaner, but it will give a personalized touch as there are plenty of color combinations that you can use for your preference.

No External Interference

Poor quality of wire can have interference. This means it can affect the sound your speakers produce on some occasions. It is important to avoid interference when using your speakers for live performances or parties.

Banana plugs are durable and stable. They can provide you with quality sounds without worrying about usage interference.

How to Connect Banana Plugs to Speakers

As mentioned above, the installation isn’t complicated. You don’t need a professional to accomplish it as long as you have the tools required.

You’ll need two tools: a wire cutter or wire stripper and a soldering iron. In some cases, you may need a precision screwdriver to tighten locking fasteners to secure the cable, as well as a measure to determine the wire length.

Preparing the wire

The first thing you need to do is to determine the length of the wire you’ll need. It is best to add excess length, ideally around 60 cm, to avoid tightening as it causes pressure. Your speakers can be damaged if the cable is under pressure for a prolonged period.

After that, you need to check the wires to find their positive and negative side. Each side will be inserted into your banana plugs’ positive and negative ports, respectively. Generally, the red one is usually positive, while the black is negative.

A cable may come in only one color, such as red and black, for example. In this case, you’ll usually find a description of the insulation that helps you identify the positive and negative sides.

After that, use your wire strippers again to peel some of your cable’s insulation. Be careful not to expose too much of the wire. Once you’ve peeled and got the right length, twist the wires to make them more durable.

Now that you’ve prepared your wire, you are ready to install it to your banana plug. We recommend soldering its ends to increase durability. As a bonus, you won’t need much solder to accomplish the task.

Attaching the cable to the banana plug

A banana plug has two parts, so you need to separate them. Some types of banana plugs require you to use a screwdriver to separate them.

Next, connect the positive wire to its respective plug. Push it forward until the wire hits the plug’s front end.

If bare wire is exposed or not inserted in the plug, you’ll have to adjust the length and cut it accordingly. An insulating tape is also a good option if you prefer not to repeat the process.

You might experience problems if you don’t cut enough insulation, resulting in the insulation going inside the plug. If this happens, peel the insulation until you expose the needed length of your wire.

After that, you can attach the other part of the banana plug.

Repeat the process for your negative wire.

Finally, before inserting your banana plugs into your speakers, ensure they are turned off, especially the amplifier. You also need to make sure that you connect the positive side to the positive port of your speaker and the negative side to the negative one.

When everything is attached, turn your audio equipment on, and play the music to see if it’s working.

Now that you’ve successfully installed your banana plugs, you can enjoy your music knowing that your wires have become more durable.