Changing out Spades


Hello -

I recently purchased Clarus Crimson biwire speaker cables. However, their spades are too wide to fit my Vandersteen Quatro Speakers. 

The barrier strips on the Quatro's allow for 7/16" max width, spades on the Clarus are 1/2". I thought I could squeeze them in somehow but can't.

So, I'm considering purchasing Audioquest 507 Series Multi-Spades to change out to. I was assured by Audioquest that those spades do fit in the Quatro barrier strip. My plan was to simply cut off the existing spades on the Clarus cables, peel a bit of casing back, and mount the Audioquest spades. 

Is there anything wrong or concerning with doing this?

Thank you for any response!

rbschauman

As an owner of first Treos and now Quatros, using the Audioquest rocket 88’s with spades they fit great and sound wonderful. 
try the adapter options suggested at minimal cost and if not please sell and buy Audioquest!

Upgrade your speakers to fit the cable😃. Transparent option looks great it's a short distance  doubt you would hear the difference. There is speaker wire in you speaker and I'll bet it's copper no beryllium.enjoy the science

Some vendors offer skinny-profile spades, but they always seem be cheaper metals than the wider, stock versions.

You would be better off trimming them with a file or grinder (carefully).  You will hear the cables full SQ, undiminished by poorer quality 'skinny' spades.

Yes - you will void the warranty, but  they are cables and they should last decades!

Good luck,

Resell does occur to me. However, I have an unusual situation where physical placement of my equipment and speakers requires a 21 foot run of cable. And there’s no changing that arrangement, I’m a married man.

I purchased these Clarus Crimson cables as unused in 25 foot lengths which easily retail over $10k for $3.7k. I knew they would present a challenge to get to fit, but I didn’t think to this extent. Prior to this I was fixated on buying Audioquest Lone Ranger and Bigfoot that  would cost around $10k but not discounted for a 21 foot run. So, I took a chance to save over $6k and still have great cabling.

If I sell them, my mind will go back to the Lone Ranger and Bigfoot combination that would require a lot of additional $$’s of outlay.