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To use the Speakon, or 1/4??

O

Obsolex

Nov 17, 2002
534
5
39
#1
I'm getting an Ampeg Svt-III (3) Pro soon, and I was reading the manual online, and it said under the 1/4 plugin description, that if using at full power, I should use the speakon...
Would it damage the had or cab if I used the 1/4??
thanks-
 
#4
when people ask this type of question, I always think of the example given at some point in the past, maybe by Bob Lee, I dunno.
This time, I will try to explain what a pathetic connection 1/4" plugs give in comparison to bananas and Speakons.

Point your index finger straight out, horizontally.
Now, take you other index finger and from above, point down to the other index fingernail.
now you should be touching fingernail tip to fingernail,fingers forming a right angle.
See how much "connection" you get touching your fingernails? That's about what you get with the contact touching the sleeve and tip of a 1/4" plug.

most other connections are far superior, IMO
 
#7
Originally posted by K-Frog
when people ask this type of question, I always think of the example given at some point in the past, maybe by Bob Lee, I dunno.
This time, I will try to explain what a pathetic connection 1/4" plugs give in comparison to bananas and Speakons.

Point your index finger straight out, horizontally.
Now, take you other index finger and from above, point down to the other index fingernail.
now you should be touching fingernail tip to fingernail,fingers forming a right angle.
See how much "connection" you get touching your fingernails? That's about what you get with the contact touching the sleeve and tip of a 1/4" plug.

most other connections are far superior, IMO
Click to expand...

Good example of what the 1/4" is like.

In comparison, the speakons would be like wrapping your whole fist around said finger.
 
#8
Originally posted by erikwhitton
I'm compelled to point out that until a few years ago no one was using Speakon and everything seemed fine. right? Hendrix, Led Zeppelin and the Beatles didn't need it. so why should we?

Even though there are some advantages, it's obviously not a necessity or even a priority to use speakon.

IMO
-erik
Click to expand...

people used to drive horses and buggies too...it's called technology and it advances everyday. Why not embrace it? Unless your just strapped for cash

Some things just make sense
 
#9
Originally posted by erikwhitton
I'm compelled to point out that until a few years ago no one was using Speakon and everything seemed fine. right? Hendrix, Led Zeppelin and the Beatles didn't need it. so why should we?
Click to expand...

I don't recall those artists using 1000+ watt amplifiers for their instrument rigs, either.

Back in the 80s when my band owned and ran our own full-size PA, we switched all the speaker connectors from 1/4" to these white twist-lock things... I forget the name, they were made by Belden (?) or something. They were larger than Speakon.

Anyway: it isn't like we're asking the guy to modify his amp. The Speakon connector is already there! Speakon is superior to 1/4", so he should absolutely take advantage of it if at all possible.
 
#12
I have seen some "multi input" type connectors; but unless it is one of these, you can use a speakon to 1/4" cable.
Otherwise just use 1/4" to 1/4".

Speakon is superior; but I don't know how much benefit you'll get by having it on one end only.
More importantly, I don't think it will matter at all with power output that low. Usually it really makes a difference at 400 watts and up.
 
#14
using speakeon connectors with a Swr 750, and Gol.3 and big ben 18. my sound tech. measured somehow by meter and sound pressure, a significant
lower output than with 1/4". I could hear a tone and large volumn differnts, while playing alone.
gigging could not tell differnce. I've also had speakeons freeze on back of amp after gig, when amp was still hot, a bear to be stuck trying to free themup, when you want to go home and chichs are waiting..
 
#15
I suggest using the speakons. I have had no problems with them and they don't wear out nearly as fast. I have not seen or heard much a difference with them.

The 1/4's on the other hand gave me this good story. One night I was doing sound and all my monitors are connected with 1/4's. We were crankin them very hard and from the begining of the last set the guitar player said the monitor was too quiet, but neither of us really cared because of the beer we were drinking. So about an hour later I went to unhook them and grabbed one of the 1/4's and burnt my hand. It seems someone accidentally hit one with there foot and knocked it half way out and the 1/4 welded it self to the jack in the monitor, it also melted part of the plastic connector plate it was mounted in. Normally power amps should shut down at the point of welding temps but not Peavey's they go the extra mile!

Speakons are also made of hard plastic that won't bend or break when you kick your 810 on its face. Yet another drunk story-
 

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