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Speakon vs. 1/4"
- Thread starter beeray
- Start date
Nope. The only advantages speakon has is that they cannot be mixed up with instrument cables and they lock in place.
no... but
speakons can't arc during insertion/removal as a 1/4" can
are rated for more power
lock in place
are harder to damage and field replaceable with a small screwdriver if they are damaged
can't be mixed up with signal level input/output connections
can easily be configured for special purposes [bridged operation, bi amping]
=
in short its a better engineered part - necessary, no, but it is a better way to accomplish the job if you are in a position where you have a choice
speakons can't arc during insertion/removal as a 1/4" can
are rated for more power
lock in place
are harder to damage and field replaceable with a small screwdriver if they are damaged
can't be mixed up with signal level input/output connections
can easily be configured for special purposes [bridged operation, bi amping]
=
in short its a better engineered part - necessary, no, but it is a better way to accomplish the job if you are in a position where you have a choice
Plus if you're using speakons, you don't have to spend a half hour arguing ferociously with your bandmates that 1/4" instrument cables cannot simply be substituted in for broken 1/4" speaker cables for the PA system.
Which I definitely did last gig.
That would be worth it alone,lol!
Thanks everyone!
You can use a heavier gauge cords with Speakons. I use 12 gauge. Might not be so important at lower watts.
Gale
Gale
billfitzmaurice
Commercial User
- Sep 15, 2004
- 16,860
- 278
- 76
- Disclosures
- Owner, Bill Fitzmaurice Loudspeaker Design
Definitely not as easy as you can make it sound. But it can be done if you have the right sized small screwdriver and (most important) if you have marked which holes each wire end should go back into (took me years to discipline myself to mark wires and holes - makes it a world of easy if you do).I would love to see you try this!
I've heard 500w is the max that should run through 1/4" (making Speakons the 500w+ choice).
What is so difficult for people to understand about: Instrument cables are thin wire shielded to avoid electrical, radio, etc interference vs speaker cables are hefty wires not especially well insulated but built to carry enough current to motor a mechanical device (speaker). Instr cables can't carry enough juice to make your speakers work right.
It is absolutely SUPER easy to field repair, and NO special markings necessary. However, for even quicker repairs & modifying speaker cables, I try to keep 2 x speakons + 2 1/4 inch TRS with about 2 feet of wires running from them, to crimpable connectors. If a wire fails : cut, bare wires, crimp, and you're done.
billfitzmaurice
Commercial User
- Sep 15, 2004
- 16,860
- 278
- 76
- Disclosures
- Owner, Bill Fitzmaurice Loudspeaker Design
It's not difficult to understand if you do your homework, but I'd venture more than a fair percentage don't, otherwise the 'why can't I use my instrument cable for my speaker' question and variations thereof wouldn't be seen here with such regularity.
"It is absolutely SUPER easy to field repair..."
Yeah, I was shocked how easy it is to build cables with them. I got out my soldering iron, heated it up and proceeded to open up the Speakon connecters and, lo and behold, all you need is a screw driver and wire cutter/strippers.
Amazing!
Gale
Yeah, I was shocked how easy it is to build cables with them. I got out my soldering iron, heated it up and proceeded to open up the Speakon connecters and, lo and behold, all you need is a screw driver and wire cutter/strippers.
Amazing!
Gale
It is easy.
I can change a speakon connector in about 90 seconds using either of the two screw drivers I carry in my bass case [the screw head takes either Flathead or Phillips]... or just about any other small to medium sized screwdriver one is likely to come across... your average swiss army knife or leather-man tool would do in a pinch for instance. Conversely virtually all of the hundred or so canon and 1/4" connector ended cables I own would require a solder iron for a remove and replace connector repair job.
BTW the lugs on a standard 4 pole speak-on connector are marked [+1, -1, +2, -2]and virtually all speaker wire has an indicator to differentiate the the component wires [look closely sometimes it is just a ridge in the insulation or some such, but there is almost always a difference easily noted once you know what to look for] so you don't have to remember or mark anything. It aint rocket surgery.
Heavy gauge is important for long cable runs. 16 gauge is plenty for the typical bass rig (6' or less).
I guess my humor if only meant for me, then.
I agree it is easy to replace a damaged speakon connector with another speakon connector. But replacing a damaged speakon connector with a small screw driver...that's going to be a little hard to plug in...
I agree it is easy to replace a damaged speakon connector with another speakon connector. But replacing a damaged speakon connector with a small screw driver...that's going to be a little hard to plug in...
