Speakon to 1/4"?

[Kwesi]

What would be a good price to pay for one new that's 5 or 6 feet long? I see all sort of prices from $15 all the way up the $100+ I just want a solid cable .

[projectMalamute]

Do you need it to be danceable?

[pacojas]

the 1/4 to 1/4 sounds the same for less money. (but i'm sure you knew that)

[deekay911]

errr $15 should do it..

[billfitzmaurice]

$1 per foot for for the cable, $5 for each connector, $5 labor to assemble it. And that's the high end of the scale.

[BassmanPaul]

Originally Posted by pacojas

the 1/4 to 1/4 sounds the same for less money. (but i'm sure you knew that)

Yes but nowhere near as good as a speakon to speakon.

Paul

[pacojas]

Originally Posted by BassmanPaul

Yes but nowhere near as good as a speakon to speakon.

Paul

please educate me. tia

[billfitzmaurice]

Originally Posted by pacojas

please educate me. tia

1/4" phone plugs and jacks work very well for what they were designed for circa 1890: Telephone switchboards. They work reasonably well for other low current applications, like instrument cords. For high current applications, like connecting amps to speakers, they suck.

[Makatak]

Originally Posted by billfitzmaurice

1/4" phone plugs and jacks work very well for what they were designed for circa 1890: Telephone switchboards. They work reasonably well for other low current applications, like instrument cords. For high current applications, like connecting amps to speakers, they suck.

Not exactly true . Apart from the fact that they cant be "accidentally " pulled out , and how could that happen unless there are swarms of people flocking around the rear of your bass cab , Speakon cables have next to zero discernable sound quality difference to a 1/4' jack . Even high powered SWR amps/cabs use 1/4 " .

[ClassicJazz]

Cons, Phone Plug

Not designed for High Voltage
Not designed for High Current
The Pins are unprotected, and, can easily short themselves if the plug is sitting on a metal object.
Can easily be shaken out of its socket due to enclosure vibrations.
Can cause an electrical shock if used for high voltage applications due to not having any shielding over the pins.
Offers a mediocre strain relief.

Pros, SPEAKON

Twist Lock, prevents premature disconnect.
Handles more than enough voltage/current for today’s amplifiers
Pins are isolated from one another to prevent any shorts.
A plastic housing which will make the connector safe to touch, even, when you connecting and disconnecting speakers with 3000 watts feeding through the wire.
Offers a robust strain relief ring.

[Jefenator]

Originally Posted by Kwesi

I just want a solid cable .

I "feel" you.

I'd avoid the cheapest of the cheap, with no-name, cheesy plugs. I also avoid Monster. (Costly, not very durable IME, and I couldn't discern an audible difference between their 3' Studio Pro and a 30' run of generic 12-gauge.)

I hold out for quality plugs (Switchcraft/Neutrik/G&H) and cable that handles nicely. Should be doable for about $20.

FWIW, I like the "Live Wire Elite" cables just fine on all points, including price. I couldn't find the exact config you want - I'd just get the 1/4 one and add my own Speakon to one end (easy to do). (Or cut it in half and make two.)

[will33]

Originally Posted by Jefenator

I hold out for quality plugs (Switchcraft/Neutrik/G&H) and cable that handles nicely. Should be doable for about $20.

+1
It's the cheap plugs on the ends that are going to fail you. The stuff I call "soft metal" or used to be called "potted?" metal. Basically very light, weak stuff, probably made from recycled tin cans....stay away from it. Switchcraft, Neutrik is good stuff.

I would only even consider the cheap stuff if you have do something like make up a bunch of patch cords that are going be plugged in the back of a rack once and never move again. Even then, a used switchcraft is way better than the new cheap stuff. It's become worth it to throw somebody a buck for their old cords just for the old (better) plugs to cut off and re-use.