Buchardt E50 owners

Thanks Rich for confirming the method. I am just confused as to why there is such a long "tunnel/barrel" that requires one to put their face in front of the posts to locate the hole for the plug insertion. What is the purpose?

I wondered about the long tunnel myself. I have a pair of E50’s and the 400 anniversary. They both have the long tunnels. What I did was to unscrew the barrels and leave them out. Really not needed for banana connection.

That's what I considered doing.....just don't understand their purpose. Some reviewers explicitly praised the binding posts....why?