Are you buying a speaker cable connector separately from a speaker cable? Let's look into the six most popular speaker cable connectors: what they are, and which setup they are best used for. This covers anything from the simplest home applications to setups on  tour.

Note that this is about connectors that help bring power to passive speakers, the ones that are used on the speaker level. This is not to be confused with cables and connectors that are used for signal transmission.

Bare Wire

• What it is: Stripped ends of the speaker wire with no terminal.

• Compatible with: Spring clips, binding posts, or screw terminals.

• Applications: Very common in home audio and budget setups.

• Cable used: Stranded copper speaker wire (16 to 12 AWG), two-conductor.

• Best for: Simple, cost-effective connections in casual home theaters or DIY setups.

Banana Plug

• What it is: A cylindrical plug that fits snugly into binding posts.

• Compatible with: 5-way binding posts on AV receivers and speakers.

• Applications: Home audio systems with frequent plugging/unplugging.

• Cable used: Stranded copper speaker wire, 16 to 12 AWG, terminated with screw or solder-on banana ends.

• Best for: Clean, tool-free connections in home theater or stereo setups.

Spade Connector

• What it is: A fork-shaped terminal that slides under the screw cap of a binding post.

• Compatible with: Binding posts and terminal blocks, especially in high-end audio equipment.

• Applications: High-fidelity stereo or home audio systems.

• Cable used: Stranded speaker wire, 16 to 10 AWG, crimped or soldered to the spade.

• Best for: Hi-fi systems where stability matters and the connection needs to stay firmly in place.

Pin Connector

• What it is: A thin metal pin that inserts into spring clip terminals.

• Compatible with: Spring clip terminals found on entry-level or compact stereo equipment.

• Applications: Budget systems, older receivers, or compact speakers.

• Cable used: Stranded copper speaker wire, 18 to 16 AWG.

• Best for: Basic systems that use spring clip terminals instead of binding posts.

Speakon (Neutrik)

• What it is: A locking circular connector designed for high-current speaker applications. The connecting mechanism used in it is a twistlock; there are different types of this connector: 2-pole, 3-pole, and 4-pole.

• Compatible with: Professional PA speakers, amplifiers, subwoofers, and stage monitors.

• Applications: Live sound, mobile setups for concerts, and more professional audio installations like theaters or clubs.

• Cable used: 2- or 4-conductor heavy-duty speaker cable, 14 to 10 AWG.

• Best for: Touring, stage, or other demanding environments where cables need to lock securely and handle high power.

1/4" TS (Tip-Sleeve)

• What it is: A mono plug originally designed for instruments, also used in older speaker systems.

• Compatible with: Older amplifiers, guitar amps, and PA speakers with 1/4" jacks.

• Applications: Legacy audio systems, rehearsal rooms, or budget PA gear.

• Cable used: Unshielded stranded speaker wire, 14 to 12 AWG. This should not be an instrument cable.

• Best for: Older or entry-level systems where simple, plug-in connections are needed.

Nassau National Cable offers a wide range of speaker cables and corresponding connectors:

• Flat UL Cable – Good for low-voltage setups where space is tight. Best with bare wire or pin connectors. 

• Direct Burial (Basic & Premium) – For outdoor use, including underground.

• High-Conductivity Copper – Solid choice for clean sound in higher-end systems. Goes with spades or banana plugs.

• In-Wall Rated – Safe for running through walls in homes or commercial spaces. Goes with banana plugs or spade connectors, as both are easy to terminate in walls.

• Outdoor Multi-Conductor – Great for permanent outdoor speaker wiring.

• Zip Cord – Classic, easy-to-work-with wire for everyday speaker setups. Depending on the terminal type, it is competitive with most connectors.

• HighFlex Cable – Super flexible, ideal for tight spots or mobile systems. Goes with banana plugs for quick connects or Speakon if used in pro audio setups.

• Belden Cables – Well-known brand with reliable options for any audio application.