Are REAN connectors good?

[HolmeBass]

Often advice is given here to use real Neutrik connectors.

Lower cost cables on Sweetwater use REAN connectors, I am wondering they are ok. REAN is part of Neutrik, sort of their consumer level.

HTTPS://neutrikgroup.com/en

My Sweetwater sales rep says they "not NL2" and has other cables with NL2 listed, but they have brown ends and don't look at all like NL2s I am familiar with.

Thanks hive mind!

 

[Zooberwerx]

Provide some addt'l links, please. I use the REAN banana plugs and, overall, remain impressed with the design & quality. All my Speakon hardware is Neutrik.

Riis

 

[agedhorse]

Rean is the OEM division of Neutrik, generally the connectors are fine.

 

[el murdoque]

If you're worried about the color, this is from the official Neutrik website:

I personally would greet the color change, either in SpeakOn or PowerCon cables, I hate that my speaker cables look like my power cables in stage light.

In terms of the hard rule "Only use Neutrik connectors because ripoffs could possibly damage your equipment", you're safe with REAN.
It's the cheap division of Neutrik. I personally prefer the real ones, but I've had cables with REAN connectors that worked fine.
If you're gigging regularly and use those cables multiple times per week, get the real deal.
If you have the amp sitting in one place and move it twice per year, don't bother, the cheap stuff will be fine.

Pro tip: Neutrik SpeakOn jacks are not soldered. They have screw-in connections. It's super easy to make your own. Get speaker cable and connectors, then fashion your own cable, to have the perfect length.

 

[agedhorse]

It's the OEM division, manufactured in Asia for use in the manufacturing of finished products, not for resale to consumers. They share exactly the same safety certification documents and are built the same.

 

[wjcstp]

I've used Rean 1/4" connectors on home-built cables, the quality seems good, no problem with them.

 

[HolmeBass]

Thanks folks, good news all around. I will get the REAN ended speaker cables.

 

[74hc]

I have both Rean and Nuetrik and both have been fine with no issues. The only issue I had with cables is an Amazon cable for Shure GLDX transmitter. Didn't tested it before gigging, and it didn't work out of the box. I had to go back home and get the Shure cable that came with the wireless system. Promptly ordered the Shure right-angle one from Sweetwater the next day.

If you are thinking I should have tested it before, yes you are right. Never again. Only name brand gear from reputable retailers. Since I've adopted that mantra, I don't have any issues other than batteries running out of juice.

 

[ddnidd1]

The individual REAN connectors are normally less expensive than the same type of Neutrik

 

[agedhorse]

The individual REAN connectors are normally less expensive than the same type of Neutrik

They can be, but not always.

 

[60bass]

If you're worried about the color, this is from the official Neutrik website:
View attachment 7317472


I personally would greet the color change, either in SpeakOn or PowerCon cables, I hate that my speaker cables look like my power cables in stage light.

In terms of the hard rule "Only use Neutrik connectors because ripoffs could possibly damage your equipment", you're safe with REAN.
It's the cheap division of Neutrik. I personally prefer the real ones, but I've had cables with REAN connectors that worked fine.
If you're gigging regularly and use those cables multiple times per week, get the real deal.
If you have the amp sitting in one place and move it twice per year, don't bother, the cheap stuff will be fine.

Pro tip: Neutrik SpeakOn jacks are not soldered. They have screw-in connections. It's super easy to make your own. Get speaker cable and connectors, then fashion your own cable, to have the perfect length.

That looks exactly like what ProCo uses on their SpeakOn cables. I just ordered one from Sweetwater and it looked exactly like that on the ends.