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Do Speakon cables make a noticeable difference??

bcolins

bcolins

Nov 16, 2007
189
1
San Antonio, TX
#1
I am currently running my Carvin B800/Avatar B212 Neo Combo with a standard 1/4" guitar connection cable connecting the amp and speaker cabinet

Do Speakon cables make a noticeable difference? If so, in what way...and...does 16,14, or 12 Gauge cable make any difference??

Also, will using a 12 gauge cord/cable between my guitar and amp head make any difference??

Brian in Austin
 
#2
It'll make a difference if you had a bad connection with a 1/4" cable. In your case, if you are using an instrument cable, you may be risking serious damage to your amplifier. You MUST use "speaker" cable. Speakons are rated for higher current handling, and lock in, so they are generally used for increased reliability, easy field replacement, and for bi-amp use.

As far as the cable between your amp and guitar, you need a good shielded cable, usually labeled an "instrument" cable. Gauge is not quite as important there, as it's handling a tiny amount of electricity.
 
#4
They don't make a difference that I've been able to notice. My head only has Speakon output so I've had to use them. I have grown fond of their locking mechanism. It can be a pain to take them out from some angles, but I rarely have to unplug mine.
 
#5
Trevorus said:
It'll make a difference if you had a bad connection with a 1/4" cable. .
Click to expand...
+1. The connector won't make an audible difference, neither will the wire gauge. But it will prevent any of the problems that can occur with 1/4", from melting of wire insulation to shorting the amp output.
 
#6
billfitzmaurice said:
+1. The connector won't make an audible difference, neither will the wire gauge. But it will prevent any of the problems that can occur with 1/4", from melting of wire insulation to shorting the amp output.
Click to expand...

First off, what kind of power are you talking here?

Second , I've personally never had a 1/4" melt off on anything functioning properly.

I've changed from 1/4" to speakon(when applicable/needed) for convience but nothing more than that. 1/4" was fine unless you're going for the 1Kw+ route with serious volume/requirements & heavy gauge/long runs...

~S~
 
#7
since this thread is open and my question doesn't really merit a new one...

my amp's manual recommends using an XLR to 1/4" speaker cable... do folks have a recommendation for the best such connector?

500w solid state amp.
 
#8
bcolins said:
I am currently running my Carvin B800/Avatar B212 Neo Combo with a standard 1/4" guitar connection cable connecting the amp and speaker cabinet
Click to expand...
Don't use a "guitar cable" from amp to speaker. (I'll tell you why In a minute)

Do Speakon cables make a noticeable difference?
Click to expand...
There really aren't Speakon cables, but Speakon Connectors.

If so, in what way...and...does 16,14, or 12 Gauge cable make any difference??
Click to expand...
16 ga. is fine unless you're using extremly long runs.
Also, will using a 12 gauge cord/cable between my guitar and amp head make any difference??
Click to expand...

Just use a good quality "instument cable" and you'll be fine.

One reason why not to use an instrument cable for speakers is that an instument cable must be shielded (with braid) to help reduce hum from your guitar to the amp. Therefore, they are more delicate, and can be more prone to shorting if the the braided shield breaks. A dead short at the amp output can destroy your amp.

Just use a speaker cable with either 1/4" or Speakon connectors for your amp/speaker run, and an instument cable for your guitar/amp.
 
#9
I prefer the thought of using Speakon at least on one end to stop me using an instrument cable ever since back when I first started. I used an instrument cable not knowing it was different and it heated up so much it melted the carpet at the studio I was playing in.

Since then I have always used speakon to prevent me (or anyone else setting up for me if I was late) using the wrong cable and doing the same.

I have never really noticed an audible difference though.
 
#16
::::BASSIST:::: said:
My understanding is that its okay to use an instrument cable b/n the amp and the cab AS LONG AS the length of the cable is really short... like 3 feet or under. Is that not true?
Click to expand...

That is NOT TRUE - as mentioned before using an "Instrument Cable" is dangerous as it doesn't have the capacity to handle the wattages of modern amps, and as lbwdog posted can take out your amp (and yourself, if you'd be unlucky enough to touch it) as it shorts.

As a general message to all who don't know, decent Speaker Cables with Speakon Connectors aren't expensive at all, you rarely need more than 16-to-14 gauge unless you're running a high-power (Some would say a kilowatt and above, I'm cautious and would say 500 watts - I use 14 gauge in my 300 watt-per-side @ 8 ohm stereo rig), you also don't need long lengths unless you have two cabs and plan on running one on each side (and even then, only 10' is a good "Long Length" to have on hand), and most "good" Name Brands have a *Lifetime Warranty*: take it back to the store you purchased at in the case of some like Monster or mail back like Hosa and others and you'll get a brand new cable - I've done so after using too long a cable that hung from the Speakon connector and the hanging weight loosened the connection. I got free replacement cables but also purchased shorter cables that are ones I'm more likely to use in most circumstance.

The_D talks about about an instant where using an Instrument Cable melted the studio carpet due to the heat generated and the lack of proper equipment. There are some places in your setup where you can "cut corners" - the cables that run between your head or power amp to your speakers and these days even "small" amps can put out well over 500 RMS and at "Peak Power" can approach 1,000 watts is not the place to act miserly.
 
#17
1/4" phone jacks for speaker connections are a menace at high output. They are easily damaged (x10 for crappy first-generation plastic ones as used on a lot of '80s-'90s bass cabs), they crud up with isolating filth and there is almost no contact area on the tip at the best of times. I hate them in almost any serious application, let alone speaker connections.

With amps throwing a lot of watts (like solid-state bass or PA heads, which may be putting out over a thousand watts) the tip can heat up and arc or do other bad stuff. Banana plugs are better, giving more contact area, but Speakons were designed to give positive mechanical contact and locked connection.

The problem with Speakons is that manufacturers sometimes get creative with their pinouts and don't follow Speakon's suggested uniform wiring plan and therefore interoperability between brands of heads, cabs and cables may be at fault.
 

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