Gold coated brass speaker spades


Question for the forum.

Whats the low down on brass speaker spades and bananas?

I recently demoed some very nice sounding speaker cables from a reputable manufacturer and found they used gold plated brass connectors.  From what I have read in these forums, copper is the preferred base metal.  Does it really matter?

What to do? 

mpomerantz

What @larryi said old school brass binding posts sound fantastic particularly in the bass regions.

I personally would not use copper plated brass, there are too many good cables available from too many companies to do otherwise. Gold plated copper, gold plated over silver over copper......or if you like rhodium (which I do not)

@czarivey 

Actually, a lot of the better Chinese brands like Xangsane do use all copper connectors, and as far as the sonic difference is concerned, I would ask: If there is no difference, why not make cables out of brass?

@mpomerantz 

 

Just re-realized Shunyata's outlets are brass, can't sound that bad if Caelin produces and sells them, so yeah, maybe sometimes we overthink things. 

SR-Z1 outlet