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Looking for Help with Speaker Jumper Cable Choice

I have a pair of Dali Helicon 800 speakers that I purchased used a year ago but they did not come with the factory cable jumpers.  And the speaker cables I'm using are not a bi wire setup.  

I've been using a cheap set of Audioquest Type 2 or Type 4 jumpers I had the local audio store create for me 20 years ago for the speakers I was running at the time.  

My current speaker cables are a set of first generation JPS Labs Superconductor.  I've been thinking surely I can do better than the AQ jumpers.  

I've read here that the jumpers should be as good or better than the speaker cables.  I see recommendations for Peachtree and Maze which are affordable but would they be a good fit for my system?  I do need bananas on the woofer terminals so I can clamp down the Superconductor spades on the woofer terminals.   

What would be a good affordable synergistic suggestion for replacement jumpers for my system?  
pinball101
millercarbon's avatar
millercarbon
12,531 posts
 
I went to solder the high frequency leads directly to the low frequency binding posts last night and found the wires are terminated with a female flat spade connector which slides onto the male spade tab that is clamped/nutted to each binding post. I'm not inclined to cut and solder the leads on.

So you found out they used the cheapest fastest crappiest connector and want to leave it that way, in order to spend more money on the best wire in order to have it connected to the crappiest sounding connector. Is that right?

Are you sure?

I have yet to see one of these things that couldn't be removed by pushing a nice sharp pick into the crimp and prying it open. With the wire out you solder it and then if you want to keep the crappy connector for the next guy tape it inside there somewhere.

Just realize you're looking at a situation that for absolute dead certain could be improved more with some Total Contact on the connectors than you could ever get from any jumper. 

Once again I am amazed at how cheap parts are used in expensive components. Mods rule.
twoleftears's avatar
twoleftears
5,313 posts
 

Does JPS make jumpers?  Normally, it's optimal to use the same wire in the main cable and the jumper.

Wireworld, for instance, makes jumpers at the different "levels" and can provide any mix of banana + spade.

But I lie awake at night worrying whether jumpers are directional.

pinball101 OP
57 posts
 
"But I lie awake at night worrying whether jumpers are directional."  
Agon needs a "like" tag option on posts like other forums offer.  I like your comment.  

As for going for some JPS jumpers, I struggle with spending $400 on a set when the cables cost half that.  

MillerCarbon - I'm totally capable of cutting off the female spades and stripping and soldering the wires direct to the male spades of the clamp tabs.  So far in this hobby I have not been a "modifier" other than trying different cables to optimize the sound so it didn't cross my mind.  These speakers were a craigslist scratch and dent purchase so it's not like I'd be compromising them any more than some of the scars they already have.  

I'll lie awake for a night or two pondering cutting and soldering direct and report back if I decide to take this approach.  
geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 
Just to do my part to prevent insomnia jumpers are directional. All wire is directional. 

Bonus quiz: What’s the cure for insomnia? A - Get plenty of sleep. 🤗
pehare's avatar
pehare
829 posts
 
mike_ostradick I lucked out and got a new set of JPS jumpers from Alan at Audiowaves he was clearing out last fall.  Keep an eye on his website for JPS cables on sale.  No affiliation - just got a couple great deals there on JPS which is my cable of choice.
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