What’s the Best Way to Connect Speaker Cables?

When setting up your sound system, one of the most important and often overlooked steps is connecting your speaker cables correctly. There’s no single “best” method for every setup, but choosing the right connection method can make your system more reliable, easier to manage, and better sounding in the long run.

In this article, we’ll break down the three main ways to connect speaker cables, bare wire, banana plugs, and spade connectors, along with tips for getting the best performance from each.

1. Bare Wire – Simple and Reliable

Best for: Permanent setups where equipment doesn’t change often

Bare wire offers the best electrical contact and is highly reliable over time, especially if you're not planning to disconnect things often.

How to use it:

• Strip the cable to expose about 10–12 mm (½ inch) of bare copper.

• Twist the strands tightly so they don’t fray.

• Insert directly into the speaker or amplifier terminal and tighten the binding post screw.

Pros:

• Excellent contact

• No extra parts required

• Long-term durability

Cons:

• Slightly more effort to install

• Not ideal if you change gear frequently

• Risk of stray strands causing shorts if not done carefully

2. Banana Plugs – Fast and Convenient

Best for: Systems where you swap gear often or want tidy cable management

Banana plugs make it easy to plug and unplug cables quickly, and are especially helpful when dealing with hard-to-reach terminals.

Types of banana plugs:

• BFA-style bananas are a great choice. They’re flexible, easy to fit, and can be adjusted if they lose tension.

• Avoid spring-loaded cage-style plugs; they vary in size, lose grip over time, and are less reliable.

Connection tip: Choose screw-in or solder types depending on your tools and preference. All function similarly when installed properly.

Pros:

• Very easy to connect and disconnect

• Clean and professional look

• Great for tight spaces or wall-mounted speakers

Cons:

• Slightly more expensive

• Can wear out or loosen over time if not high quality

3. Spade Connectors – Secure and Stable

Best for: High-performance setups where durability and tight contact are key

Spades offer a secure mechanical connection by sliding under the terminal screw. Just be aware that spade sizes are not standardized, so make sure the size fits your binding posts.

How to use:

• Loosen the terminal screw

• Insert the spade around the post

• Tighten firmly

Pros:

• Very solid connection

• Hard to accidentally unplug

• Great for heavy cables or permanent installs

Cons:

• Compatibility can be tricky (check size first)

• Slower to swap gear than bananas

Tips for a Clean, Secure Connection

No matter which connection method you choose, keep these best practices in mind:

• Strip Carefully: When using bare wire, avoid nicking or breaking copper strands. Keep exposed wire clean and short.

• Tighten Properly: Make sure terminal screws or plugs are firmly secured to prevent signal loss or unwanted noise.

• Match Polarity: Always connect + to + and – to –. Reversed polarity can result in poor imaging or weak bass.

• Keep Cable Lengths Short: Use the shortest cable runs possible

At Arendal Sound, we generally recommend bare wire for fixed systems and banana plugs (especially BFA type) if you're connecting and disconnecting frequently. Regardless of method, a good connection is essential for getting the best out of your speakers.

If you're unsure which connectors to use with your Arendal system, feel free to contact our support team. We’re happy to help!