Help with high level subwoofer connection


Hi all,

I have a Rel T5 subwoofer that is connected to my stereo by a neutrik high level interconnect that ends in bare wire to the receiver's high level input. Right now both the left and right speaker are connected by bare wire to the same inputs but I would like to use banana plugs. Any suggestions for how to combine the two or for a similar solution? There doesn't seem to be anything on the internet with specifics about this. The owners manual shows how to connect the interconnect but doesn't explain how the wire from the speakers is supposed to fit together into the same inputs.
128x128brimel1974
Good banana plugs work very well and lots of discerning ears like ’em, so fear not the banana! I have 2 RELs on an amp with my main speakers using bananas for the mains, spades for one sub and the second sub uses bare wires securely stuck in the bare wire hole on the same largish 5 way posts. I realize the second sub connection seems sketchy, but it all hangs together tightly and works very well. If you have only one REL (like I used to) the banana/spade combo is easy. I use AQ spades and bananas as they’re easy to simply attach with the little supplied wrench. If the receiver has spring clips and not binding posts just wrap the wire together and hope it fits.
I have to agree with wolf, I worked in HiFI for many years (now retired but still a HIFi junkie at times) and found that having good clean terminations of speaker cables solved quite a number of service issues down the road for many clients and the AQ bananas and spades are an excellent example of quality terminations. They are also very easy to deal with when moving, cleaning or changing bits of the system.

I have a M&K sub that I drive at speaker level simply because my ARC Pre amp specifies a 20K ohm minimum impedance load.  The sub sounds excellent using spades at the sub with the bananas stacked into the speaker lugs on my amp using an equal length run of Kimber 4VR as the cable for each channel… of course the longer the run the more the cable quality influences the signal and mine are only 7' long.

I also found, and still do find for myself, that cable choices are potentially a place where I get a bit of OCD happening.

I have learned to trust what I like to hear and I experimented continuously  for years, having had the luxury of working in a great high end audio shop… For some the cosmetics play a big role, or theory, or price... or all of the above...

My experience is also that a great AC power source makes for a surprising difference in my systems overall resolution and is a good high return of value for the $$ spent...  I discovered the Shunyata PS8 as a great place to begin, the entire set up sounds cleaner…  even though my system is is plugged into a 15amp daisy chained $.97 wall socket… next on my to do list… A 10 Ga 20 amp dedicated feed from the mains, probably cheaper than any other upgrade I could do...
Remember to Enjoy the music as much as the chase!

You can buy banana plugs that you can piggyback another banana to.   Spades are much more secure though.....