"Proper" way to hook up vintage receiver-speaker wire?

[barbersurgeon]

I have 1973 lafayette receiver with small flat head screws for the speaker outputs. Have always just tried to wrap the bare wire around the screw and tighten. I have new speaker wire coming (current is old and was questionable due to age and initial quality) and was wondering if there was a more proper way with a fork connector or such made for this purpose. It's pretty tight space wise, so I don't think any of the automotive type crimps will fit.

Just wrap and carry on or is there something better here?

 

[tcp71]

if it's very tight, using a ferule might work to terminate the wire. otherwise a spade or ring terminal. They come in many sizes...insulated or not

https://www.mcmaster.com/products/ferrules/ferrules~/

 

[PontiacHO]

You’re fine just to wrap the wire. I’ve seen more problems with loose crimp with those fork connections.

 

[JohnnyG]

A lot of times, those screws are not designed to come completely out, they have a small crimp on the threads. So those ring connectors might not be the best choice. I'd suggest spade connectors (crimp on) likely from the same source as tcp71 suggested.

 

[Hall]

Just wrap them

 

[Nessism1]

Crimp on fork terminals would work, however, you need to buy the correct size, based on your wire size, and for best results, use some proper crimping pliers, with jaws that match the connector and wire size.

 

[Arc]

Wrap your wire counterclockwise under the screw for a better connection. The wire tends to stay put better and not spin out.

 

[BHopkins]

I have never seen spade or eyelet connectors used on speaker wire.

Back when the screw type speaker wire connection was common, both on amps and speakers, everyone just wrapped the wire around the terminal screw.

 

[y_p_w]

I have never seen spade or eyelet connectors used on speaker wire.

Back when the screw type speaker wire connection was common, both on amps and speakers, everyone just wrapped the wire around the terminal screw.

I've used them before. Didn't have the tools to crimp myself. But proper crimping creates an oxygen-free connection as long as the cable isn't already oxidized. This one apparently self-crimps by screwing down the cable end. I think it goes out the barrel, gets folded over, and then gets screwed down. The spades I got before had a single-use crimped connection.

https://www.crutchfield.com/S-FjNU6uQPPH4/p_119QLGASH/Monster-self-crimping-spade-connectors.html

The weirdest thing I got once was a banana connectors where the wire entered and there was a screw that clamped down on the cable end to make it more or less reusable.

 

[BHopkins]

Those are nice. I'm sure they would make a very reliable connection, that would be appreciated on high end components. But the OP is connecting to a 1973 Lafayette receiver. I'm sure that wrapping the bare wires around the terminals will get all the performance out of that receiver, that it has to offer.

I am very familiar with banana connectors, having used them quite a bit on test leads, and have seen some stereo equipment that accept them.

 

[tcp71]

I have a telefunken receiver with these as speaker connections.

 

[y_p_w]

Those are nice. I'm sure they would make a very reliable connection, that would be appreciated on high end components. But the OP is connecting to a 1973 Lafayette receiver. I'm sure that wrapping the bare wires around the terminals will get all the performance out of that receiver, that it has to offer.

I am very familiar with banana connectors, having used them quite a bit on test leads, and have seen some stereo equipment that accept them.

Most of the nicer speakers I bought in the 90s had "five way" posts. I think it meant bare wire, pins, spades, banana, and dual banana. It had to be spaced properly for dual banana. They had holes in the post that could accept pins or bare wire. The spades could be screwed in, where the nut doubled to clamp down on bare wire or pins. They had to be screwed down for the banana plugs.

This one looks like it might have separate high and low posts that are bridged for most users.

The cheap stuff I've had or seen over the years had really cheap spring-loaded clamps that basically only worked with bare wire or pins. Occasionally I'd have the ends "tinned" to keep them from fraying over time.

 

[Wireman1987]

wrap around screw head is fine.. if you have a solder iron you could tin the wire... or use a Sta-Kon fork connector.

 

[nomas]

Crimp on fork terminals would work, however, you need to buy the correct size, based on your wire size, and for best results, use some proper crimping pliers, with jaws that match the connector and wire size.

There's your answer ...

 

[DBMaster]

I would tin the ends of the wires and call it a day.

 

[mk378]

If you put the wires on directly make careful inspection that there aren't any stray strands of wire hanging away from the screw and causing a short.

 

[y_p_w]

Found a photo of an example. Yeah - just normal screws and I'm pretty sure it's designed for small spades (not most audio equipment now). Also looks like little partitions, but not very long. Seems like it's not well protected against shorts.

https://www.doghouseandbone.com/shop/p/89ayfv5of7k9evvumefqio8hlmwwrz

 

[barbersurgeon]

Found a photo of an example. Yeah - just normal screws and I'm pretty sure it's designed for small spades (not most audio equipment now). Also looks like little partitions, but not very long. Seems like it's not well protected against shorts.

https://www.doghouseandbone.com/shop/p/89ayfv5of7k9evvumefqio8hlmwwrz

Yep, that’s the style. Guess I’ll just keep on making a neat hook with the wire and keeping things as tidy as I can. Thanks everyone.

 

[CleanSump]

Just twist the ends and form a hook. Stick it over so the hook close or tightens as you turn the screw. The fewer the connectors, the better.

 

[97prizm]

I have 1973 lafayette receiver with small flat head screws for the speaker outputs. Have always just tried to wrap the bare wire around the screw and tighten. I have new speaker wire coming (current is old and was questionable due to age and initial quality) and was wondering if there was a more proper way with a fork connector or such made for this purpose. It's pretty tight space wise, so I don't think any of the automotive type crimps will fit.

Just wrap and carry on or is there something better here?

Go to Audioholics link. They have a great tutorial on wire and connections.
Speaker connection guide