Incredibly Cheap Speakon Cables

[mrjim123]

Anyone used this cable from a1components? It's a 10 ft., 14 gauge cable with two speakons for only $7.99.

http://www.a1components.com/itemdisp...spx?item=10921

[T-Bird]

Hi.

I haven't used one, but IMHO, it ain't that cheap.

Unless the Speakons are Neutrik instead of the cheap copies. And the cable is rubber instead of plastic.

Especially with Speakon cables, I tend to roll my own, and I'd probably match that price pretty close with the same quality components. As will You if you take the DIY route.

Regards
Sam

[rhopper]

I would say it is worth a shot for just $7.99.

[bassman10096]

No. But I just ordered a pair. Shipping was $7 and change. I need a couple shorter cables, so it's worth twenty bucks to see the naked lady. I'll let you know what they are like.

[billfitzmaurice]

I doubt that they're Neutrik connectors at that price, and that's a concern. If they were the real thing I'd expect they'd say so.

[mrjim123]

Bill, is your concern signal integrity? Durability? All of the above?

[brendanbassist]

Originally Posted by mrjim123

Bill, is your concern signal integrity? Durability? All of the above?

Obviously, I'm not Bill, but IME I've found the knock-off connectors to be difficult to connect and deconnect, and even break in the process.

[Muaguana]

Considering they're 2 conductor and not 4 conductor, not especially cheap. But that's the problem: they don't have at least one 4-conductor end for bridged mono output of most amps.

[billfitzmaurice]

Originally Posted by Muaguana

Considering they're 2 conductor and not 4 conductor, not especially cheap. But that's the problem: they don't have at least one 4-conductor end for bridged mono output of most amps.

That's not a problem per se, IMO amps should seldom be bridged mono. Doing so is almost never beneficial unless you're running a 16 ohm cab.

IME I've found the knock-off connectors to be difficult to connect and deconnect, and even break in the process.

+1.

[Munjibunga]

Originally Posted by billfitzmaurice

I doubt that they're Neutrik connectors at that price, and that's a concern. If they were the real thing I'd expect they'd say so.

I thought the same thing, but I'm sure "Speakon" is a registered trademark, so they would still be violating the trademark if they're not Neutriks.

Also, if they are Neutriks, I believe they're 4-pole, because the 2-pole do not have the metal latches on them. They look like this:

[Munjibunga]

OK, now note the printing on the genuine Speakon:



Then note the absence of printing in the same location on the ersatz version:

[billfitzmaurice]

Originally Posted by Munjibunga

I thought the same thing, but I'm sure "Speakon" is a registered trademark, so they would still be violating the trademark if they're not Neutriks.

True, but I expect that Speakon will soon become recognized as a generic term, like Coke. If they're sensible about it Neutrik won't complain about that happening, as wider usage of the name can only help their sales via increased consumer recognition.
As for the knock offs, I'm sure some are perfectly OK, but how do you know which? With Neutrik you don't have to wonder.

[rok51]

Originally Posted by billfitzmaurice

As for the knock offs, I'm sure some are perfectly OK, but how do you know which? With Neutrik you don't have to wonder.

I couldn't agree more...

kim

[MCN]

Originally Posted by billfitzmaurice

True, but I expect that Speakon will soon become recognized as a generic term, like Coke. If they're sensible about it Neutrik won't complain about that happening, as wider usage of the name can only help their sales via increased consumer recognition.
As for the knock offs, I'm sure some are perfectly OK, but how do you know which? With Neutrik you don't have to wonder.

I think you are about to hear from the nice trademark attorneys at the Coca Cola company!

[billfitzmaurice]

Originally Posted by MCN

I think you are about to hear from the nice trademark attorneys at the Coca Cola company!

Nope. They learned long ago that when a trademark becomes part of the vernacular it only benefits them. Once upon a time you never found any references to brand names in movies, music, etc. The suits wouldn't allow it. Stupid. Now they fall over each other trying to get product placement.

#1 example of corporate stupidity: Ray Davies having to re-record the 'Lola' vocal tracks with the words 'cherry cola' instead of the original 'Coca Cola' because some idiot at Coca Cola threatened to sue over the use of their name.

[gastric]

Originally Posted by brendanbassist

...I've found the knock-off connectors to be difficult to connect and deconnect, and even break in the process.

I can confirm this in regards to the difficulty with the connnect/disconnect. I have some HOSA SpeakOn cables I purchaesd from somewhere (can't recall) fur under $10 a cable. They have the plastic snap ring design and usually they connect and snap-lock into place. But on at least one piece of my gear it never snap-locks into place. And is then difficult, but not impossible, to remove.

In contrast I have some 50' SpeakOns with the genuine Neuitrik connects with the metal release button and they are effortless to connect/disconnect and always lock into place.

However, for $10 or less a cable I'll deal with the slight annoyance. They connect/lock great with MOST of my gear.

[mrjim123]

I erred on the side of caution, bought some 14-2 wire, and plan to buy Neutrik connectors at about $7 each. Still cheap, and I can build cables that are just long enough to connect my amp to the cabs that sit directly below it.

[Munjibunga]

Originally Posted by mrjim123

I erred on the side of caution, bought some 14-2 wire, and plan to buy Neutrik connectors at about $7 each. Still cheap, and I can build cables that are just long enough to connect my amp to the cabs that sit directly below it.

Wise move. However, the NL4FC is $4.77 at Markertek.com. The NL2FC is $2.29. They sell 14 ga. speaker wire for $.55 per foot, so a 10-foot cable would cost $5.50 + $2.29 X 2 =$10.08. However, you do have to factor in shipping cost.

[ulrich]

Originally Posted by billfitzmaurice

I'm sure some are perfectly OK, but how do you know which? With Neutrik you don't have to wonder.

Perhaps the Switchcraft, Speakons, will fill the bill. Though, at a savings of 37 cents each, I'd have to be making a lot of cables to care.

https://www.markertek.com/Cables-Con...n/HPCC4F.xhtml

[Munjibunga]

Originally Posted by ulrich

Perhaps the Switchcraft, Speakons, will fill the bill. Though, at a savings of 37 cents each, I'd have to be making a lot of cables to care.

https://www.markertek.com/Cables-Con...n/HPCC4F.xhtml

Except he doesn't need the 4-pole plugs, so he's in at $2.29 per plug, genuine Neutrik.