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1/4? or speakon?

N

Noctune

Nov 16, 2011
27
0
#1
I've got a new head and cab, the head is rated at 550 watts at 4 ohm's which I'm getting the full power from and I've read that if you have a bass head which is rated at over 150 watts 1/4 jack cables aren't the best for the signal to the cabinet? Due to it causing the cabinet harm?

So with that logic speakon leads would be best? :confused:
 
#2
1/4" cables suck for high power stuff; there's very little metal-to-metal contact, they short hot and ground together as you insert or pull the plug, and they don't lock in place. given the choice, speakon will be more secure, both electronically and mechanically.

that said, 1/4" cables have been used for that for years and still get the job done. (don't use them on your 3000w PA power amps, though.)
 
#5
Noctune said:
I've got a new head and cab, the head is rated at 550 watts at 4 ohm's which I'm getting the full power from and I've read that if you have a bass head which is rated at over 150 watts 1/4 jack cables aren't the best for the signal to the cabinet? Due to it causing the cabinet harm?

So with that logic speakon leads would be best? :confused:
Click to expand...

I had a 1/4" plug blow out of my 18 at a gig. Speakons don't do that. Any questions?
 
#7
B-string said:
Why they are still pressed into service for things they were not designed for (only small signal connections) is a mystery?
Click to expand...

Ahhh! Sweet Miss Terry of Life! :)

If you have the option use Speakons. As has been said they are superior in every way. Every speaker cabinet I own now sport Speakons and that's all I'll use. Retrofit your cabinets with these connectors and don't look back. Eventually every amp will only use Speakons. It'll stop folk using signal cables to connect their amps to their cabinets immediately.
 
#8
B-string said:
1/4" plugs and jacks were designed for telephone switch boards, back in the days BEFORE direct dial connections. Why they are still pressed into service for things they were not designed for (only small signal connections) is a mystery?
Click to expand...

I think due to the simplicity factor. And the fact that the power output of the older amps were typically under 100 watts.

Heres a little amp trivia (along these lines):

Y'know the red jewel "power-on" lamp on Fender amps?

Those were originally manufactured in WW II as indicator lights for B-17 and B-25 bombers' instrument panels!!:cool:
 
#14
skychief said:
Heres a little amp trivia (along these lines):

Y'know the red jewel "power-on" lamp on Fender amps?

Those were originally manufactured in WW II as indicator lights for B-17 and B-25 bombers' instrument panels!!:cool:
Click to expand...
BassmanPaul said:
A lot of EX military hardware was repurposed after the end of the war. Most of us "of a certain age" are aware of this. :)
Click to expand...
i had no idea. that's neat!
 
#16
skychief said:
I think due to the simplicity factor. And the fact that the power output of the older amps were typically under 100 watts.

Heres a little amp trivia (along these lines):

Y'know the red jewel "power-on" lamp on Fender amps?

Those were originally manufactured in WW II as indicator lights for B-17 and B-25 bombers' instrument panels!!:cool:
Click to expand...

I collected them and changed them often. Red, green, blue, purple, and yellow. Ther were white ones and clear ones, but I never had those. Kustom amps used purple, I remember.
 

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