I can't get my speaker wires to stay in my speakers!

Just got my new Thiels, and in the process of trying to hook the speaker wires to them, and am getting frustrated. The wires are these monster cable types that are just exposed wires at the end. With my old speakers, you stuck 'em in the holes and there was a clip that held them in place. These Thiels have some type of screw mechanism that is supposed to hold the speaker wires but they aren't getting secure and keep slipping out. Am I doing something stupid, or are my speaker wires incompatible with these speakers? Help?

 

Todd,

Have you tried the "gentle-twisting" technique with the wires? This approach tends to keep the wires from spreading as you tighten the screw...

Bob

 

I used wire plyers to clip off the ends of one set of wires and left about 1/4 inch exposed to see if that helped. Is it your impression that the screw will hold the wires better if they are straight and smooth as opposed to smooshed and separated? Is it better to have more wire and less plastic coating going into the speakers for the screw to work most effectively? Maybe I don't have enough exposed wire going into the speakers?

 

Todd,

Yes! and, I would think more like 1/2 inch of exposed wire should be about right. Be sure to hold the wire under the screw as you tighten the screw. Let me know if this works!

Bob

 

I've had problems with using huge gage wire on Dynaco's with the stupid screw terminals. I've found by replacing the terminals and the speaker ends with bananna plugs and sockets, it makes things oh, so much easier and connections much more solid. Easier too, benching the amp away from it's perch, and setting it back up. I agree, screw terminals are a pain in the butt.

If you don't mind the time it takes, it saves time later on. People do this with speakers, and the pair I'm building I plan to set them up like this...

 

Todd - Unscrew the posts quite a bit and check to see if there is a hole drilled through the post itself. If there is, you are supposed to thread the bare speaker wire through that hole, then screw down to clamp it.

 

Yeah, its too bad that all posts don't have those!!!!!!!

Remember the first Polk cables (Cobra?) that had the wire tinned to the end of the cables for the specific purpose of threading them through the hole on those type of posts?

 

Yes! Some time ago I bought Monster Cable with that very same feature. It worked great on those posts (no frayed ends to mess with).

 

Todd,

You can always attach spade connector ends on those wires if you want and then "no more problem". Just a thought.

 

That's true!

 

This is what I do with my Thiels and it works!

BTW, How do they sound in your system?

 

Cheap fix, that's what i did with my MAC, but oncertain posts, you have to have smaller gauge wire, as with my situation in order to use the correct size spade. monster has some screwon spades that work well with larger posts, but they are pricey. $20 an end.

 

It may be worth the lack of frustration. I've been there!!!!!!!

 

Hi Tullman, not sure if this question was directed at me or Todd. I don't have Thiels myself. I'm very happy with my Castles.

 

Well, while my speaker connections are not very "secure", I have had about an hour to play them so far (before having to go to work). I started with the DCC Jackson Browne track "Here come those Tears Again", (just got it in the mail), and then played the DCC Elton John Greatest Hits in its entirety. The first thing I noticed was some degree of stereo image that I never much got on my system before. Next, I noticed increased clarity and precision in the sound. Finally, and most surprisingly given what I'd read about these speakers, I noticed an increase in the bass.

I should disclose that I don't have these configured for maximum effect at the moment. Since I have 2 kids under 6, I don't have them on the floor but rather have them sitting on top of some very sturdy shelves a couple feet off the ground, in opposite corners of the room, with each speaker about 1 foot from the back wall and 2 feet from each side wall. I know from reading the materials that these will sound best when spaced apart and several feet from any wall, but my kids and listening space won't allow that at the moment.

When setting them up, I first hooked up the right speaker so as to compare it to the left speaker of my old Acculabs. I was a bit concerned at first as it was clear they weren't as efficient as my old speakers and sounded rather puny when played along with the Acculab. However, after hooking up the second speaker and increasing the volume slightly, my concerns faded. With only 1 hour of listening under my belt, I think I'm going to be very pleased with these. I look forward to getting used to them and giving them a real workout!

Thanks for the suggestions. I may have to look into the spade connectors, especially since I may periodically be pulling them the shelf and putting them on the floor.

The only remaining mystery is how long it will take my wife to realize I've bought these. She didn't notice them during the EJ CD, but I expect to have "some 'splainin to do" before long!

 

You could also try applying solder to your speaker wires(use lead free/2% silver solder from Radio Shack) for a cheap fix and still install spade connectors later.

 

I'll turn on the heating in the Roverdome for you Todd.

 

Good to hear you got good sound right away. Thiels need at least 100 hours to break-in. You should be hearing even better sound soon.
The Thiels are fine looking speakers too!

 

Best speaker defence against small kiddies is plenty of barbed wire

 

Well, I assume these have already been broken in, as they were an ebay buy, priced at about $1200 off retail!

On the down side, my wife wasn't impressed by my savings, as much as she was extremely unimpressed by the cost. Hey, Dave, where's that Roverdome parked tonight?

 

Oh well, I probably wouldn't need so many toys if I had some companionship.

 

Well, tomorrow morning I have to zip over to England and pick it up from aashton's house and then I've got to drop it off for 2 nights at John B's...so with any luck I'll have er' down in Kentucky oh saaay about Monday! Hope ya got somewhere to stay for the weekend!!