Spades vs. Banana plugs ??

Mr. Vandersteen swears by spades, as they have the best contact. Given his experience and knowledge, I would have to agree. Banana's are more of a friction fit, spades will have contact over a larger area when screwed down tight.

Bob

That's the rub - when they're screwed down tight. But what about next month? Still tight?

All the best,
Nonoise

By adding bananas or spades you are doubling the contact issues: between either and the cable and between either and the speaker plug. Way better to go bare wire into the speaker using something like Mad Scientist’s contact enhancer. Spades get tightened and then loosen and bananas need good crimping.

+1 Bare wire.