Different kinds of speaker cables?

Question

I noticed that some home theater recievers have two different kinds of speaker outputs, one round output and one square. What is the difference?

Answer 1

The red/black ones that stick out are called "5 way binding posts" because there are 5 different ways to attach wires.

The square connectors are "guillotine clips". You push a button to open "jaws" and insert bare wire or pin-connectors in the opening.

Answer 2

Well the round ones are called banana clips. The square ones are a standard clip. Banana clips would be on high end equipment.