Speakon to 1/4" queston

blendermassacre · #1 05-17-2010, 06:41 PM

So I just got a Genz Benz 6.0 which uses speakon connectors. My cab uses 1/4" connectors.

so the quandry is:
buy a speakon to 1/4" male cable, but the only one available locally is 10' long

or buy a speakon to 1/4" female cable, plug in my 1/4" male cable and call it good

or buy a speakon to 1/4" female adapter, and use my existing speaker cable.

any pros or cons to these methods?

Bob Lee (QSC) · #2 05-17-2010, 06:45 PM

Wow, usually adapters are only a couple inches long.

I'd make or get a speaker cable with a Speakon plug on one end and a 1/4" plug on the other.

I'd rather change the cabinet input to a Speakon jack, though.

blendermassacre · #3 05-17-2010, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Lee (QSC)

Wow, usually adapters are only a couple inches long.

I'd make or get a speaker cable with a Speakon plug on one end and a 1/4" plug on the other.

I'd rather change the cabinet input to a Speakon jack, though.

I miss typed. the first choice was a regular cable, but it was 10" long.

Bob Lee (QSC) · #4 05-17-2010, 06:58 PM

Is 10 inches long enough to reach from your amp output to the cab input? Give us an idea how long you need.

blendermassacre · #5 05-17-2010, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Lee (QSC)

Is 10 inches long enough to reach from your amp output to the cab input? Give us an idea how long you need.

this is what i get for typing on my phone. it's 10 feet or 10'.

2 or 3 feet will be more than enough to cover any distance needed without having an extreme excess.

deekay911 · #6 05-17-2010, 07:04 PM

I converted a couple of Carvin cabs from 1/4 to Speakon. If you have even moderate soldering skills it isn't hard, and a better long term solution.

DWBass · #7 05-17-2010, 07:11 PM

Monster makes a nice 3 foot Speakon to 1/4" cable.

puff father · #8 05-17-2010, 07:12 PM

Go here: He'll make you whatever you need. IMO his quality is top notch and prices are good.

http://www.bayoucables.com/

Bob Lee (QSC) · #9 05-17-2010, 07:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DWBass

Monster makes a nice 3 foot Speakon to 1/4" cable.

At a price several times what it's actually worth?

agedhorse · #10 05-17-2010, 07:14 PM

If you choose to use an adapter cable, be sure the 1/4" connector shell is insulated. You do not want this connector body touching the chassis or any other ground. This is one reason why the industry is going to SpeakOns, any amp that uses a bridged output stage (class D or otherwise) and I would say most of the class D amps out there use a bridged output stage, the shell is not at ground and damage or danger of shock is possible.

blendermassacre · #11 05-17-2010, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by agedhorse

If you choose to use an adapter cable, be sure the 1/4" connector shell is insulated. You do not want this connector body touching the chassis or any other ground. This is one reason why the industry is going to SpeakOns, any amp that uses a bridged output stage (class D or otherwise) and I would say most of the class D amps out there use a bridged output stage, the shell is not at ground and damage or danger of shock is possible.

"insert ancient donkey joke here"

would you recommend, instead, that I wire the cab as a speakon, as suggested? I feel like the adapter is the easiest way, but I also fear that it's the least best. I called around locally (GC's included) and no one has a speakon to 1/4" less than 10 ft. I would really like to be able to at least play the amp tomorrow to make sure all is well, which probably means getting the adapter, and then make a better solution asap.

Jefenator · #12 05-18-2010, 02:22 AM

I have the opposite situation. (Cabs have speakon, old tube heads only 1/4".)

What I plan to do is this: buy a double-length 1/4" cable, snip it in half and put speakon plugs on the snipped ends. Two 1/4" - speakon cables for the price of one! (sort of)

mcapote · #13 05-18-2010, 05:37 AM

I found the same problem with just regular speakon to speakon that locally 10' was the shortest. I ended up ordering cable and ends to make my own. alot cheaper then buying a 3 foot cables anyways. besides I needed to make a couple long ones too from my PA head to the speakers.

DWBass · #14 05-18-2010, 05:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Lee (QSC)

At a price several times what it's actually worth?

Not at the price I got it for!

agedhorse · #15 05-18-2010, 09:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blendermassacre

"insert ancient donkey joke here"

I have heard them all. How do you know of your old donkey/horse is standing on level ground? The drool comes out of both sides of his mouth at the same time... just like a drummer!

Quote:

Originally Posted by blendermassacre

would you recommend, instead, that I wire the cab as a speakon, as suggested? I feel like the adapter is the easiest way, but I also fear that it's the least best. I called around locally (GC's included) and no one has a speakon to 1/4" less than 10 ft. I would really like to be able to at least play the amp tomorrow to make sure all is well, which probably means getting the adapter, and then make a better solution asap.

I would modify the cabinet. If you don't have the skill/tools/experience, it shouldn't be expensive for a shop to do this. If you are local to N. CA, PM me and I'll do it for you for free.

blendermassacre · #16 05-18-2010, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by agedhorse

I have heard them all. How do you know of your old donkey/horse is standing on level ground? The drool comes out of both sides of his mouth at the same time... just like a drummer!

I would modify the cabinet. If you don't have the skill/tools/experience, it shouldn't be expensive for a shop to do this. If you are local to N. CA, PM me and I'll do it for you for free.

I plan to rewire it. for the meantime, I got the adapter which is working okay for now. It just seems like an accident waiting to happen for it to come unplugged at the connection.

The only problem that I can see is finding a plate that fits in the already made hole that will accept speakons.

Pilgrim · #17 05-18-2010, 09:59 PM

I have the same amp - LOVE it.

When I got the amp, I also bought a couple of Speakon adapters that connect to the amp and allow me to connect a 1/4" cable to the adapter. That way I can keep the good 1/4 " speaker cables I have...in case I need to connect to someone else's speaker.

Of course, since I also bought a pair of T12T speakers, I also bought a 10 foot Speakon to Speakon cable to connect the second G-B speaker.

The adapters and 1/4" cables are back-ups...but now I'm covered either way.

blendermassacre · #18 05-18-2010, 10:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pilgrim

I have the same amp - LOVE it.

When I got the amp, I also bought a couple of Speakon adapters that connect to the amp and allow me to connect a 1/4" cable to the adapter. That way I can keep the good 1/4 " speaker cables I have...in case I need to connect to someone else's speaker.

Of course, since I also bought a pair of T12T speakers, I also bought a 10 foot Speakon to Speakon cable to connect the second G-B speaker.

The adapters and 1/4" cables are back-ups...but now I'm covered either way.

I'm not going to ever get rid of anything I have. Every time I play I bring every speaker cable and most every instrument cable I have, and an extension cord just in case. Do I ever need more than the obvious amount? No. Would I hate to need it and not have it? Yes. Since I sold all of my effects, my pedalboard from rondomusic serves as an awesome case for misc. cables etc.

the amp is awesome. I love it a lot. Super clear and articulate through my 2x12 cab. Loud as heck too. The knobs are weird for me to get used to, and I'm still toying with EQ, but overall it's great. I just need to get some dirt infront of it, so a VT bass is probably in my not so distant future.

somegeezer · #19 05-18-2010, 10:12 PM

Tried buying online? I know everyone is all about buying basses and amps at a store so you can try them out. But this is just about a cable. Buy online. Better range of choice and generally a little bit cheaper.

blendermassacre · #20 05-18-2010, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by somegeezer

Tried buying online? I know everyone is all about buying basses and amps at a store so you can try them out. But this is just about a cable. Buy online. Better range of choice and generally a little bit cheaper.

well I have a two fold reason for buying locally.

Firstly: I love to be able to throw money to my local mom and pops. I don't really buy new gear ever, so if I can buy cables, strings, etc from them, I prefer that than dealing with big chains. I.E. there's a music store across the street from my house where I pay $5 for potentiometers, just because I'm trying to throw them some money.

Secondly: I wanted one today, not a week from today.