Not Solid "Pin" Connectors

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Posted by Inmate51 on September 21, 2015 at 10:31:21

In Reply to: Help with using thick speaker cables with small amp outputs posted by gabecastelli on September 19, 2015 at 09:17:33:

I've read the posts so far. Kootenay's recommended "pin connectors" look good at first. But there is a significant limitation, which is "contact area".

Look at the amp's connectors. Inside the connector, there are two flat thin "teeth". If you put a solid pin into it, you'll have a VERY tiny connection point. This is similar to putting a typical 1/4 inch "phone plug" into a 1/4 inch phone jack. (That's the type of connector on "full-size" headphone connections.) If you've ever looked at the innards of such a connection, you'll see that it's a very tiny contact point. This is one reason why they're not recommended for speaker connections (nightclub speakers come to mind).

You can illustrate this for yourself: Draw a circle of, say, 1/2" in diameter just to make the diagram easy. Then draw a straight line which is tangential to the circle. Then, draw another tangential straight line, on the opposite side of the circle. These are your contact points using a solid rod connector sandwiched between two flat teeth.

It would be much better to simply trim off (as in, remove with a wire cutter) enough strands so that the multi-stranded cable fits into the hole without loose/excess strands. The flat teeth will clamp down on them as best they can, based on the spring strength, and give you a MUCH larger contact area.

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Follow Ups Full Thread

Topic - Help with using thick speaker cables with small amp outputs - gabecastelli 09:17:33 09/19/15 (11)

I've used these with good results... - tketcham 11:28:20 09/22/15 (0)

Not Solid "Pin" Connectors - Inmate51 10:31:21 09/21/15 (1)

RE: Not Solid "Pin" Connectors - Garg0yle 11:45:36 09/21/15 (0)

Here you go... - John Elison 17:09:31 09/19/15 (0)

RE: Help with using thick speaker cables with small amp outputs - A.Wayne 11:06:00 09/19/15 (0)

Try these... - kootenay 10:07:18 09/19/15 (3)

Yup those are the solution. or, other ones similar in design. A cheap way'... - Smelly_Socks 10:29:47 09/19/15 (2)

RE: Yup those are the solution. or, other ones similar in design. A cheap way'... - Garg0yle 10:43:33 09/19/15 (1)

RE: Yup those are the solution. or, other ones similar in design. A cheap way'... - pictureguy 19:32:39 09/19/15 (0)

RE: Help with using thick speaker cables with small amp outputs - Garg0yle 09:40:19 09/19/15 (1)

RE: Help with using thick speaker cables with small amp outputs - gabecastelli 10:57:12 09/19/15 (0)

Follow Ups

Not Solid "Pin" Connectors - Inmate51 10:31:21 09/21/15 (1)

RE: Not Solid "Pin" Connectors - Garg0yle 11:45:36 09/21/15 (0)

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