Why terminate speaker wire?

Most people, though not all, prefer to make love with their clothes off for the best connection. Others think it makes no difference.

Is that why they're called banana plugs?

"Most surface area to surface area connection"

My preference is the opposite of this.

Reduce metal mass in the signal path and when using standard (large metal mass) connectors achieve small/good contact of the signal wire.

If using single solid core wire for speaker cables with standard large metal mass screw down connectors then a single flat loop of the wire is better than coiling it around numerous times.

I've also modified/cut down already low metal mass RCA male connectors by removing 3 "V" shaped sections from the ring that clamps onto the female RCA connector resulting in even less metal mass and a reduced (3 prong) contact area.

DeKay

In my case, it is not so much about oxidation with bare wire connection to speaker binding posts. It’s the tightness of the connection that isn’t good in comparison to banana plugs. Over time, the connection with bare wires will become loose, resulting in a poor sound quality.

I recall my system sounding considerably off at one point of time. I checked all cabling and the rack to see if the power cords are touching the interconnects and speaker cables. I later found the culprit - the connection at the speaker terminals was loose as I could turn the nut to complete one full circle before it’s tight again. Yes, a full 360 degrees circle which is crazy. After the nuts were tightened at all binding posts, it’s all glory again.

After that incident, all my speaker cables come terminated with spades or bananas. Banana plugs are my favourite. The connection with terminated speaker cables will not become loose with time. It’s tight and secure. It is also much easier and convenient to use terminated wires than bare wires, and they look better too. Lastly, all good speaker cables come factory terminated.

I know exactly where you are coming from. Yeah bare wire is the best - but for. how long? I too have settled on bananas as the best compromise, because there’s usually a little bit of spring tension in interface that you don’t get with normal spades.

I know cardas? I think make some spades with a sandwich construction with an elastiomer middle layer which provides some spring tension over the long term.