1/4? or speakon?

Noctune · #1 01-22-2012, 12:12 AM

I've got a new head and cab, the head is rated at 550 watts at 4 ohm's which I'm getting the full power from and I've read that if you have a bass head which is rated at over 150 watts 1/4 jack cables aren't the best for the signal to the cabinet? Due to it causing the cabinet harm?

So with that logic speakon leads would be best?

walterw · #2 01-22-2012, 12:17 AM

1/4" cables suck for high power stuff; there's very little metal-to-metal contact, they short hot and ground together as you insert or pull the plug, and they don't lock in place. given the choice, speakon will be more secure, both electronically and mechanically.

that said, 1/4" cables have been used for that for years and still get the job done. (don't use them on your 3000w PA power amps, though.)

krstko · #3 01-22-2012, 12:44 AM

I run a 500w head with 1/4 jacks and it works just fine

I only fear that someone would excidently pull it out while I'm playing

Munjibunga · #4 01-22-2012, 01:08 AM

Quarter-inch plugs were the standard on everything until about 10 years ago. They'll still work today. However, Speakons^® are superior for safety and durability and, given the choice, I would use only Speakons^®.

JLS · #5 01-22-2012, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Noctune

I've got a new head and cab, the head is rated at 550 watts at 4 ohm's which I'm getting the full power from and I've read that if you have a bass head which is rated at over 150 watts 1/4 jack cables aren't the best for the signal to the cabinet? Due to it causing the cabinet harm?

So with that logic speakon leads would be best?

I had a 1/4" plug blow out of my 18 at a gig. Speakons don't do that. Any questions?

**B-string** · #6 01-22-2012, 12:26 PM

1/4" plugs and jacks were designed for telephone switch boards, back in the days BEFORE direct dial connections. Why they are still pressed into service for things they were not designed for (only small signal connections) is a mystery?

BassmanPaul · #7 01-22-2012, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by B-string

Why they are still pressed into service for things they were not designed for (only small signal connections) is a mystery?

Ahhh! Sweet Miss Terry of Life!

If you have the option use Speakons. As has been said they are superior in every way. Every speaker cabinet I own now sport Speakons and that's all I'll use. Retrofit your cabinets with these connectors and don't look back. Eventually every amp will only use Speakons. It'll stop folk using signal cables to connect their amps to their cabinets immediately.

skychief · #8 01-22-2012, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by B-string

1/4" plugs and jacks were designed for telephone switch boards, back in the days BEFORE direct dial connections. Why they are still pressed into service for things they were not designed for (only small signal connections) is a mystery?

I think due to the simplicity factor. And the fact that the power output of the older amps were typically under 100 watts.

Heres a little amp trivia (along these lines):

Y'know the red jewel "power-on" lamp on Fender amps?

Those were originally manufactured in WW II as indicator lights for B-17 and B-25 bombers' instrument panels!!

BassmanPaul · #9 01-22-2012, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skychief

Y'know the red jewel "power-on" lamp on Fender amps?

Those were originally manufactured in WW II as indicator lights for B-17 and B-25 bombers' instrument panels!!

A lot of EX military hardware was repurposed after the end of the war. Most of us "of a certain age" are aware of this.

**B-string** · #10 01-22-2012, 02:12 PM

Hey Paul what was the name of that little rock on the right? It's just dust now?

popgadget · #11 01-22-2012, 03:23 PM

Speakons, and make sure theyre Neutrik, not a Chinese knock off.

tekdiver500ft · #12 01-22-2012, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by popgadget

Speakons, and make sure theyre Neutrik, not a Chinese knock off.

Absolutely!

BassmanPaul · #13 01-22-2012, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by popgadget

Speakons, and make sure theyre Neutrik, not a Chinese knock off.

Buy the four pole versions as they have become the de-facto standard.

walterw · #14 01-22-2012, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skychief

Heres a little amp trivia (along these lines):

Y'know the red jewel "power-on" lamp on Fender amps?

Those were originally manufactured in WW II as indicator lights for B-17 and B-25 bombers' instrument panels!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by BassmanPaul

A lot of EX military hardware was repurposed after the end of the war. Most of us "of a certain age" are aware of this.

i had no idea. that's neat!

T-Bird · #15 01-22-2012, 08:29 PM

Hi.

With low/medium power application like Yours, it doesn't really matter either way, but if there was an option, I do choose speakon every time.

There's a lot of pros in using Speakons other than their superior power handling capability.

Regards
Sam

Russell L · #16 01-22-2012, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skychief

I think due to the simplicity factor. And the fact that the power output of the older amps were typically under 100 watts.

Heres a little amp trivia (along these lines):

Y'know the red jewel "power-on" lamp on Fender amps?

Those were originally manufactured in WW II as indicator lights for B-17 and B-25 bombers' instrument panels!!

I collected them and changed them often. Red, green, blue, purple, and yellow. Ther were white ones and clear ones, but I never had those. Kustom amps used purple, I remember.