Can I use just half the biwire?


Hiya, I have biwires I like. Can I use them on non-biwire speakers?

Meaning, the unused two leads are dangling unused (and not touching of course)? 

Is this somehow bad for the amp? 


128x128scott_w

short answer:
cut the bananas off and strip the insulation back and use bare wires if it is a push button opening affair.

I own a pr of speakers with push buttons that open so bananas can be pushed in from top or bottom, but not open enogh for two conductors to fit in well. bummer if that is your situation..

otherwise:
I’ve used bi wire spkr cables since, forever. some of these cable makers construct their bi wires so one half is tuned to the upper end, and the other pair is for the lower end drivers.

I’d spend tthe 10 or 20 bucks on adapters to get both pairs onto the speaker binding posts if it were me.

this is of course with the understanding those banana plugs don’t unscrew any so the other pr of spkr wires can be fit into the slots made available as the plug is unscrewed.

why bother?
1 as said, you’ll have a better conduit for the signal with more strands attached.
2 they might just be ‘tuned pairs’ aimed at or for specific regions or drivers on the loudspeakers.
3 no one wants to deal with a shorted out amp because wires were crossed or grounded to something somehow.

if you just like to see dangling active wires then cover them up with non conductive stuff as they are ‘live’ and a possible serious problem waiting to happen. kids, pets, vacuum cleaners, etc.
This is what I bought / use.

https://www.ebay.com/p/4-Pcs-Hi-end-Banana-Spade-Adapter-Plug-Speaker-Cable-Connector/1184934218?iid...

They work great, I switch between speakers with single posts and double (bi-wire) with ease and peace of mind.

Well worth the the money. 
I would just buy one pack of the attached.  On each speaker post you would use both one of the banana connectors already on your wire and also one spade from the banana to spade connector.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00X9FET7I/ref=sspa_dk_detail_1?psc=1&pd_rd_i=B00X9FET7I&pd_rd_w=y...

This is if you don't want to cut your speaker cable.

I'm guessing custom made speaker cables, I wouldn't want to cut the bananas off either. Order a raw speaker cable without terminations until you find what you want..

Furez has a OFHC 99.997 Oxygen Free Copper 12AWG that'll get you by until you find something.

Should you choose to run them like that, just tape one of the bananas at each speaker to prevent the short but find yourself another set asap.
@ scott_w

I also agree with lowrider57

Something no one has mentioned, will the un-terminated ends of the bi-wire cable work as an antenna and introduce RF back into the output of the amplifier?

You might want to send a PM to almarg and ask for his thoughts.