Speakon adapters

Ewo · #1 08-23-2010, 02:59 PM

Wasn't quite sure what to use for a search argument with this question...

I've got an older biamped GK combo from which I'm gonna pull the 1001 RB mk 2 head. There's a cable with a Speakon coming from the cab which simply plugged into the back of the amp. I'd like to get an adapter which allows me to drive the woofers in that cab with my spare amp, which has has 2-conductor Speakon and 1/4" outputs.

So, if I've got the picture correct, I'm looking for a female 4-conductor at the cab end and a male 2-conductor and the amp end. And I don't want any signal going to the tweet in the cab, since there's no attenuator.

Your insights will be appreciated! Please post if you know somebody who makes up custom cables like that. Or--I think this what the TB TOS requires--if you make such things yourself, just PM me.

Ewo · #2 08-24-2010, 10:49 AM

BassmanPaul · #3 08-24-2010, 11:03 AM

All the amps I've seen are actually four pole speakons. Try to insert a four pole plug into your spare amp. If it fits then all you need is a cable with four pole male and female ends. These are so simple to make you should do it your self. Two pole plugs will fit into a four pole socket but the reverse will not.

Paul

just craig · #4 08-24-2010, 11:21 AM

Drop Steve a line. He can help you out. He makes real quality cables and he's a great guy. www.srhaudio.com

peace

just craig · #5 08-24-2010, 11:23 AM

I'd recommend the surreal quality cables but they're really pricey. Hard to see, too.

Zooberwerx · #6 08-24-2010, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BassmanPaul

All the amps I've seen are actually four pole speakons. Try to insert a four pole plug into your spare amp. If it fits then all you need is a cable with four pole male and female ends. These are so simple to make you should do it your self. Two pole plugs will fit into a four pole socket but the reverse will not.

Paul

IIRC, +1/-1 feeds the main drivers while +2/-2 provides signal for the tweeter. My concern is that some power amps' channel A outputs are capable of carrying signal from both channel A (+1/-1) and channel B (+2/-2). This allows the user to provide a fully bi-amped signal from a single speaker outlet. However, if you're running in stereo mode and only apply input signal to channel A, only conductors +1/-1 will carry signal to your enclosure.

Don't know what amp you're using so this could be a moot point.

Edit: If you really have to use a 2 pole speakon, it would be easier (and cheaper) just to buy one and rewire the amp end of the cable. Check the GK manual for the correct orientation. You'll end up wiring black & white (+1/-1 respectively) and capping the red & green. It can always be reversed if desired.

Riis

ric stave · #7 08-24-2010, 11:24 AM

You could rewire the Speakon connector from your cab - I would assume it's using +/- 1 and +/- 2 for the tweeter/woofer, but not sure which is which - find out which wires are going to the speaker (woofer) and reconnect those as +1/-1 (unless your spare amp has something more than +1/-1 as the output).

Wes Whitmore · #8 08-24-2010, 11:24 AM

Sorry, just saw this. Paul is right. Just order the 4 conductor speakon to speakon barrel connector. I had two of the combos. The 1+ and 1- go to the woofer, the 2+ and 2- go to the tweeter. Since your spare head only has 2 wire speakons, the tweeter wont be connected at all. At this point, just use a 2 OR 4 wire speakon cable to connect the spare amp to the speakon barrel connector and you are done.

Wes Whitmore · #9 08-24-2010, 11:28 AM

To add...I recommend you not even hook up the tweeter unless you have an amp with a biamp capability, like one of GKs RB amps with the tweeter amp. If you insist on running the tweeter with a normal mono amp, you will need a passive crossover either inserted into the combo cab, or make an extermal box.

Cypherus · #10 08-24-2010, 06:38 PM

well i live in Malaysia and currently I'm still new to bass and i've got no cabs jus a training amp.cant afford to get a cab and when we usually go to my drummers house for practice I have a to pick up my 2 guitarist so there isnt much space considering my dad sends us and we only have a kancil for a car http://www.1rooz.com/media/list/list_800px-Perodua_Kancil.jpg< this tiny ass car :/
the amps i've seen on sale are Marshall,SX,Fender and orange amps

but the main question was actually would a 20-30 watt amp itself be good enough for practice with drums

Ewo · #11 08-25-2010, 11:10 AM

Thanks much for help, everybody! I think I've got the concept now: I'll make what amounts to a a four-conductor Speakon "extension cord, " male at one end and female at the other.

If I run the Ampeg mono amp to the GK cab, the signal only goes to the woofers. (The Ampeg manual says the power amp output goes to the 1+ pin with 1- the shield; 2+ and 2- aren't connected.)

And if I had occasion to use it to connect a GK biamp head to the cab, 1+ and 1- connect to the woofers and 2+ and 2- go to the tweet.

That sound right?

Wes Whitmore · #12 08-25-2010, 07:32 PM

The problem is that I don't think they make female speakon jacks that are not panel mount. If you just use a regular 4 conductor speakon cable (or make one), and use the $4 speakon adaptor, you will have a speakon cable that will work on just about any amp/cab in the future.

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/show...number=092-196

Ewo · #13 08-27-2010, 07:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wes Whitmore

The problem is that I don't think they make female speakon jacks that are not panel mount. If you just use a regular 4 conductor speakon cable (or make one), and use the $4 speakon adaptor, you will have a speakon cable that will work on just about any amp/cab in the future.

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/show...number=092-196

Roger that. I ordered the 4-pole coupler (barrel) and a regular speakon cable, as you suggested.