Speakon vs other methods

[grifff]

Can someone explain to me what a speakon cable is and the advantages/disadvantages of using them over standard 1/4" jacks?

I know it may be a stupid question but I've been wondering for a while now.

 

[Jazzdogg]

The SEARCH function is your friend. Might wanna start with this thread:

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=542665&highlight=speakon

 

[gjbassist]

A speakon is a locking connection. So you have to push a button on the cable to release it from the connector. This helps keep the cord from accidentally becoming unplugged.

Here is some info:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speakon

 

[grifff]

The SEARCH function is your friend. Might wanna start with this thread:

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=542665&highlight=speakon

Thanks for the link, pretty much answered all of my questions. So speakons are basically locking 1/4" cables?

 

[will33]

The speakons have a lot more surface area at the connection, better for higher power stuff. If you're under 400-500 watts, likely won't make a difference. I remember reading that in Peavey's literature somewhere.

 

[BassmanPaul]

Also and more importantly you can't short a speakon when it is not connected into a cab.

Paul

 

[Jim Breece]

It's a locking connection, you can't use a shielded small gauge instrument cord by mistake, you can have two circuits in one connector and the extra surface area of the actual connection may make a difference in bass frequencies at high wattage compared to 1/4", plus they don't make bad noises if unplugged under power (still not a good idea though). I've seen complaints on here that they don't sound better than 1/4" and therefore are just hype, but Neutrik has never claimed superior sound that I know of. They also don't clear up bad complexions or improve your playing.

 

[Bassamatic]

The tip on a 1/4" connector has only a VERY tiny little contact area and on the sleeve only a little bit more is actually touching. This should NEVER have been used for speakers. Even an XLR connector has much more contact area.

In addition, using 1/4" connectors makes it possible to put amp power into a line in and to fry an instrument cable used wrong, both with potentially disastrous results.

The Speakon was a long time coming and very welcome.

• Large surface area
• Locks so it can't be pulled out accidentally
• Carries 2 circuits to make bi-amping easy.

 

[toobalicious]

yeah, but back when 1/4" leads were made "standard", even *huge* power amps were only putting out like 200 watts....

 

[billfitzmaurice]

yeah, but back when 1/4" leads were made "standard", even *huge* power amps were only putting out like 200 watts....

Not even. 1/4" was made 'standard' by Leo Fender, who used them because he had them on hand, saving him the hassle, and especially cost, of using a proper speaker connector. At the time 50 watts was a huge power amp.

 

[levis76]

Been using 1/4" speaker cables for years and never had a problem. I have used Speakon cables before, didn't notice any difference other than the fact that they are a bit more difficult to plug in on the back of an amp on a dark stage. They do lock in place nicely though. The only company I know of that actually uses the Speakon design to it fullest potential is GK. Speakon connectors on both ends of the cable and the amps and cabs are wired for bi amping (separate connections within the same cable for high freq and low freq).

 

[toobalicious]

Not even. 1/4" was made 'standard' by Leo Fender, who used them because he had them on hand, saving him the hassle, and especially cost, of using a proper speaker connector. At the time 50 watts was a huge power amp.

yeah, good ol' leo--- ruining it for everyone whatta douchebag (leo, that is...).

i am sure you are correct bout the amp size thing--- i didnt feel that my knowledge of every amp ever made was enough declare anything specificly. but hey, some still think that the SVT was the first "big" tube amp, pro audio or otherwise....

 

[Bob Lee (QSC)]

Speakons are the connectors, not the cables themselves.

You can take a heavy duty two-conductor wire and put any connector you want on each end; it might as well be something that's up to the task.