It’s an easy and inexpensive upgrade to your home stereo system.

Each is easy to install, requiring only a few simple tools.

To choose the right kind, you first have to look at the terminals available on your equipment.

A pair of metal spade connectors, one connected to a speaker wire

Metal spade connectors.Amazon

Amazon

you could have different types of connections on the backs of stereo equipment.

Sometimes you might have more than one jot down on each (e.g.,receivers and amplifiers).

Before purchasing any connector, know the gauges of your speaker wires.

A hand holding a wire stripper tool, removing the outer jacket from one individual wire

Wire stripper tool.Westend61 / Getty Images

So crosscheck sizes first to ensure the best compatibility.

If your wire stripper is designed/labeled with different cutting sizes, pick the one that matches the cable gauge.

Repeat the process with the other individual wire.

A pair of pin speaker wire connectors, one disassembled into its separate parts

Pin speaker wire connectors.Amazon

Now that yourspeaker cableis forked with exposed ends, you’re ready to attach connectors.

The wire should stay in place when you lightly tug on it.

Open Screw Speaker Wire Connectors

Open screw speaker wire connectors have a gap through the connector itself.

Two pairs of metal banana plug speaker wire connectors

Metal banana plug speaker wire connectors.Photo from Amazon

you’ve got the option to also find speaker wire connectors that are open screwonly.

Once you let go, the connector clamps shut and hold the wire securely in place.

These connectors come in two parts we can refer to them as “inner” and “outer.”

Take the inner part of the connector and loosen the two embedded screws with the screwdriver.

Now feed the speaker wire into the end until it can’t go any further.

Tighten the embedded screws with the screwdriver to secure the wire.

Why Use Speaker Wire Connectors?

By using colored connectors, youll never have to scrutinize, worry, or second guess ever again.

Speaker wire connectors can spare many headaches, especially withmulti-channel home stereo systems.

If youre ever unsure, you might alwaysquickly test the speaker wires.

Photo from Amazon

Speaker wire connectors also make it easier to plug and unplug speakers from receivers and amplifiers.

On top of streamlining audio cables, speaker wire connectors help maintain a solid connection.

Sure, the backsides of speakers, receivers, and amplifiers may not be the most provocative.

FAQ

Yes.

Differences in speaker cables that affect sound include capacitance, inductance, and resistance.

Likewise, a wire’s performance is affected by gauge, length, and composition.

Best Buy, Home Depot, and Walmart carry speaker wire connectors.

you might also order wire connectors from Amazon and other online retailers.