Connecting a MB200 To speaker

RuairidhP · #1 09-09-2011, 03:29 AM

Recently i bought a GK MB200 however i'm having difficulty connecting it to my speaker. The manual says the "dual jacks allow for Speakon or 1/4 plug to be used". When i try to use a 1/4 jack speaker cable though it doesn't fit all the way in. I've posted pictures to show you does anyone have any idea what i'm doing wrong?

audiomitch · #2 09-09-2011, 10:40 AM

Try a different cable. I have a Monster cable that is picky about which jacks it will fit, maybe yours is the same?

scottfeldstein · #3 09-09-2011, 10:42 AM

I haven't noticed this problem with my MB500. I sometimes use a 1/4" speaker cable to plug in an old Ampeg 8x10 and I believe it fits correctly.

Wes Whitmore · #4 09-09-2011, 10:58 AM

I can't see the pics, but there is a possibility that they accidently used a non combo jack when they put it together. The center hole is obviously bigger on the combo version.
Wes

5port · #5 09-09-2011, 11:59 AM

One other person on this board had the same problem with the MB200. I'm not sure how he resolved it. Sounds like a quality control problem. Here are your pix. Next time post the links that say [IMG] next to them. Sounds like your going to have to return the amp for another one. Call CS.

scottfeldstein · #6 09-09-2011, 12:04 PM

Wow, it really looks like the same size hole as mine, but sounds like it's not deep enough, not the right jack at all.

If it's the wrong jack, I bet you can send it back to them for a fix.

Wes Whitmore · #7 09-09-2011, 12:17 PM

That center hole is bigger on the combo, so if you can get the 1/4 in, its a combo jack. I would be included to pull the lid off and look at it. It will possibly void the warranty, but it's only a couple of screws and you would be able to see in the back of the jack. Your call. You might be able to shine a light in it too, but me...I would just pull the top off.
Wes

ian_s · #8 09-09-2011, 02:19 PM

It shouldn't affect performance as long as the sleeve hits the contact inside the jack. But it also shows why you really want Speakon cables.

gerryjazzman · #9 09-09-2011, 02:22 PM

I picked one up about a month ago to try (returned it wasn't my cup of tea tonewise), but I noticed the same thing. Turns out that GK changed the speaker jack to speakon only. There was a leaflet in the package that stated this. User manual hasn't been updated to reflect that apparently.

5port · #10 09-09-2011, 02:32 PM

Whew! Glad I bought mine when I did. Thanks for the info. They should have changed the label above the jack to say "speakon only".

Wes Whitmore · #11 09-09-2011, 02:34 PM

That is true, but if it were a nornal speakon on his, the 1/4 plug wouldn't have gone in at all. It's something else I think.

craig.p · #12 09-09-2011, 02:38 PM

Side note on cover removal, since that came up in this thread: Be sure to find a Phillips bit that fits exactly, and use lots of pressure when you loosen the screws. They're tight and they're easy to strip.

On the phone plug issue with the (I guess now former) speaker jack, some phone plugs fit more securely than others do on my unit. One of my heavy duty ones bottoms out barely after the tip has begun to lock in. In fairness to GK, however, that plug is a no-name on a heavy-gauge house brand speaker cable; Reans and Switchcrafts fit great, though, with no chance of dislodging. My intuition tells me it's the no-name phone plug manufacturer who got it wrong, even though those plugs fit all my other amps fine (though those amps use straight phone jacks, not combo jacks). Maybe this sort of thing is what GK chose to sidestep by going straight Speakon.

gerryjazzman · #13 09-09-2011, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wes Whitmore

That is true, but if it were a nornal speakon on his, the 1/4 plug wouldn't have gone in at all. It's something else I think.

Mine went in about halfway and wouldn't go in any farther. Took me awhile to realize what was going on. Then I found the paper that menioned the jack. Sometimes I guess it does make sense to read through all materials first. Yeah it would have been nice if they put a label on the back "speakon only" or something. Can't imagine what else it would be.