5 way binding posts. What's all that about?

[HighFidelityGuy]

I'm sure manufacturers have been quoting the use of 5 way binding posts for ages but I only seemed to notice the term a few days ago. I'm assuming the name refers to the fact that it can be used in 5 ways? I can only think of 3: bare wires, spades and bananas. So what the hell are the other two? Does anyone know?

Cheers.

[Snoopdog]

Binding Post Speaker Terminals
Definition:
A binding post is a connector or terminal commonly used to connect speaker wires to the back of a receiver, amplifier or speaker (and other electronic equipment). Binding posts are sometimes referred to as 'five-way binding posts' because speaker wires can be connected to a binding post in five different ways:

•Bare wire wrapped around the metal post and clampled
•Bare wire inserted through the hole in the post and clamped
•A spade lug clamped around the post
•Banana plugs inserted in the hole in the top of the binding post
•Pin plugs or connectors inserted through the hole in the binding post and clamped
Also Known As: Five-way Binding Post

[hifi_dave]

Got to admit that it does stretch the imagination a bit and if we're really going for it, I make it a 'six way' because you can insert a banana plug sideways through the hole in the connector....

[Snoopdog]

Not sure you would get a banana plug sideways through the hole. I havn't tried it myself but I'm sure someone did as they seemed to have been quite inventive when they came up with 5 ways.

I certainly wouldn't recommend bare wire as I had an unfortunate mishap with some a few years ago when a stray strand got into the Chord 1200C power amp I had at the time and there was a very loud bang and flash of flame from the top grille when I next switched it on

[HighFidelityGuy]

Thanks Steve, I guess that makes sense but as Dave said it does stretch the imagination a bit. It reminds me of the dishwasher tablet adverts with their 36 in 1 super washing action bollocks and the shaving razors with 20 blades or whatever they're up to now.

Cheers.