Out of curiosity; can't you just run the bare wires without connectors?
Actually that's the way it's set up right now, barely, and always has been (17 years). But recently I aquired a new amp with smaller, anemic wire nuts. They're barely shoved in there, and the nuts don't grab well so they fall out easily. PITA. I'm considering changing out the wire nuts for WBT or similar, not sure i can be done though. I need to research a bit. Hence the need for the smaller portion of the spade connector.