A Speakon question... 4 pole vs 2 pole

[Sav'nBass]

What are the differences.. I never knew that there was more than one type.. I just thought there were different gauges of wire.. What's the difference? I currently have a 12 foot cable that is just too long.. so I want to get a 3'-6'max cable but I am finding the 2 pole 4 pole difference. I am thinking that the 4 pole might be for a parallel setup maybe? Also I imagine that there wouldn't be much difference between a 12 gauge and a 16 gauge cable except that the wire would be thicker but with the distances I am talking about it shouldn't make much difference right?

[Wes Whitmore]

They all will support your 12ga. The difference is how many pairs of cables that they will hold. I use 4 pole for my 2 pole needs. I just leave the 2- and 2+ empty. They make up to 8 pole I think. It's designed to use 2 through 8 conductor cable so you can biamp cabs all with one cable run.
Wes

[Sav'nBass]

Oh I see... Thanks.. I don't think I'll be bi amping any time soon.. so it shouldn't matter.. (bi amping is using two amps with one source right..? )

BTW.. I think the gauge of my current cable is 16.. it was the length that was 12'...

[Wes Whitmore]

I use these. You can also find 4 pole speakons at SamAsh.

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/show...number=092-050

[Sav'nBass]

So most heads use the two pole for the average speaker that is not bi amped correct?

[greenboy]

For manufacturers of heads and power amps the safe route is to use 4-pole Speakon jacks in their products. Because then they will fit cables with either 2-pole or 4-pole plugs. But the reverse is not true. Frankly Neutrik should have skipped the 2-pole stuff altogether which would have avoided complicating the scenario - especially now, the price differential is minor.

[billfitzmaurice]

Originally Posted by greenboy

Frankly Neutrik should have skipped the 2-pole stuff altogether which would have avoided complicating the scenario - especially now, the price differential is minor.

I don't think they should have skipped it, but I find the lack of total interchangeability of 2/4 pole jacks and plugs odd, and a major PITA.

So most heads use the two pole for the average speaker that is not bi amped correct?

Not necessarily. Many use 4 pole jacks even though they only utilize two of the poles.

[NoGraveConcern]

Originally Posted by Sav'nBass

(bi amping is using two amps with one source right..? )

No, bi amping, as pertains to 4 pole speakon, is when your amp sends the lows down one pair of wires and the highs down the other pair which then can be split to different drivers within the cab.

I use 2 pole connectors when I build speakon cables because I found a good price on line for them and minimum order was 10. No practical reason other than cost.

If the cable you already own is too long just take one end off and shorten it. You can add new ends to the leftover cable later to make a second cable. Speakon ends go on with just a #1 Philip's screwdriver.

[DWBass]

The easy fix (what I do) is to just roll up the slack to the desired length and then tie wrap it.

[Sav'nBass]

Thanks guys.. Yeah DW that's what I had been doing... but I am using a laptop bag to hold my head and I wanted to get shorter cables to lessen the tight fit in the bag.. Good suggestion NGC.. I didn't realize I could do that...

[bertbassplayer]

Personally I like using 4 pole for everything. It's always nice to have them in case you need to biamp. Plus I've found the 4 pole speakon connectors are easier to put on than the 2 pole.

[Wes Whitmore]

I agree that the 4 pole are easier to put together too.

[Foz]

Ya - I find the larger 4-pole units in the SPX and STX series easiest to work + they are rated to 40 amps [use for over a 1k watts]. Worth a couple extra bucks to have the premium units IMO - never know what you might need to use it for.

[ExaltBass]

Assembling the 2 poles are a PITA... go 4 pole, use the 1+ & 1-