Problems with Martin Logan ESL speakers accepting a banana plug?

Maybe try a different shaped banana plug? Some can be easier than others to work with. Or you could try and Crimp the banana plug your self using a pliers and make it fit!


If they are 5 way binding posts (they should be) you can unscrew the knob and use the spades directly on the post then clamp down with knob, maybe 1/8th of a turn with the pliers to really make them snug.

Matt

I’ve never had a problem using bananas with MLs, but I do own their higher priced line. Don’t try to force connectors if they won’t go with a firm push.

If your speaker cables have spade connectors, I’d use those. Most audiophiles feel that you get a better connection with them although I doubt you’d be able to hear the difference.

Also, if you unscrew the cable connection on your speakers, you should see a hole in the threaded stem. You can slide your pin connectors or bare wires through that hole and tighten down on them, making sure there’s no way the + and - wires can touch one another.  That would cause a short and damage your equipment.

Unfortunately, my ML's only have the push style connectors and I don't think they will unscrew.  Just today, ML has repeated that the banana plugs may only go in 3/8" or less but not to worry.  Haven't thought about putting pliers to the banana plugs as they are fairly expensive speaker wires.  It appears I may need bend the small pins adapters and use them at the top or bottom inserts of the main connection. Then, just use the banana plugs for the AR amp.  Had the spades connected to the amp.

you could go to your local audio shop or electronics shop and get some smaller banana's and solder them on the speaker wires if they fit into your speakers. or you could order some nice binding posts from partxnection and have a shop replace the ML's binding posts. not a big job easy if your handy with a soldering iron.   

I also find it very tight, and this type of banana plug seems to fit better https://www.madisoundspeakerstore.com/images/products/bp-sz-r.jpg 
I also leverage deoxit as lubricant to help.

audiojessl...excellent suggestion.  I will need an adapter type but will research. 

How about opening up the speakers and putting proper posts in?

Pull the red plus and the black negative off of the back of the terminals and it will expose receptacles for banana plugs. Took me 8 years of owning these to find a solution.

Pull of the colored + and - plastic covers on the speaker terminals and it will reveal banana plug receptors.