But using them makes me feel like an old time telephone operator
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Are there specific 1/4" jacks for cabs?
- Thread starter definenredefine
- Start date
I can certainly change the hardware/jack on this speaker build but could someone explain what the issue is and what the NON-SPEAKON solution would be? Normal jacks can not be used due to the short threaded portion- back is 1/2" and to emulate Fender construction from the 70's it is particle board, not ply and for the time being there is a hardwood block glued to the inside to strengthen the particle board. A metal insert plate like the one shown above could be installed easily as the Tolex has not been applied...
It's been stated here more than once...
1/4" connectors and jacks were never designed to handle to output voltage of amplifiers. I think the threshold is around 50 volts, but someone correct that if necessary. And there's a reliability factor with 1/4" connectors vs Speakons.
To me, there is no "non-Speakon" solution to speaker connections.
This is the point where you've been given the facts about why and why not. From here, I'd say you are on your own about making the decision on which connectors to use.
1/4" connectors and jacks were never designed to handle to output voltage of amplifiers. I think the threshold is around 50 volts, but someone correct that if necessary. And there's a reliability factor with 1/4" connectors vs Speakons.
To me, there is no "non-Speakon" solution to speaker connections.
This is the point where you've been given the facts about why and why not. From here, I'd say you are on your own about making the decision on which connectors to use.
- Feb 12, 2006
- 60,981
- 5
- 220,745
- Disclosures
- Development Engineer-Mesa Boogie, Development Engineer-Genzler (pedals), Product Support-Genz Benz
Not rediculous as amps got more powerful and speaker cabinets now handle much more power than they ever did. 800 watts at 4 ohms is 14 amps RMS and 20 amps peak, far in excess of what a 1/4" jack can handle and which will generally fail in the "abnormal conditions" testing by becoming a PIS.
There are regions where if the amp carries IEC 62368 safety approvals, 1/4" is not an option. Since SpeakOn connectors are so superior in every regard, why fight it?
I had some Bergantino cabs (HT115s) that came with tiny 1/4" plastic plugs. Stuck the plugs in the holes, no air leaks. Not an issue with Speakon!
Hole Plugs 1/4" Plastic Flush Type for 5.5-6Mm Hole Snap in Locking Screw Caps | eBay
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My GK NEO 212 and 412 came with the same caps in the 1/4".
The speaker box I built is a 4x10 copy of a 70's/80's Bassman 10 and it is being run thru a 80 watt tube amp- my resistance to Speakon is that I am trying to replicate the details from that time period. I even built the box out of pine 1x6 because for some odd reason, Leo did not build those boxes out of plywood!
Does that change things?
By the 70s-80s Leo was long since living off the sale of Fender Instruments in the 60's. In his day he used whatever was cheap and available. There was little more given to cab design other than "that looks good". Hence an open back bass amp combo choice. Not a hater, I still own a Twin and a single Showman cab that actually had a design, just the facts.
- Feb 12, 2006
- 60,981
- 5
- 220,745
- Disclosures
- Development Engineer-Mesa Boogie, Development Engineer-Genzler (pedals), Product Support-Genz Benz
Sure, build it any way you want.
Pine is a terrible material for bass cabinets, Fender (Leo) used it because it was available and cheap.
Terrible material but one of my favorite bass players uses the Bassman 10 (miked) and Paul McCartney has complimented her on her tone and playing...
While I too appreciate modern technology, there is historical precedent for what I want to do.....
While I too appreciate modern technology, there is historical precedent for what I want to do.....
There can be safety issues w.r.t. the voltages present on connectors that you hands can touch, but the issue with the 1/4 inch jack/plug system is it can't handle the current - the guys driving 800 watts into 2 ohm loads are a relatively small part of the problem - if you want to know the real problem situation, it's the subs in your PA (that are handling several kilowatts of power per cabinet at low impedances) where you need really good connectors.
Passinwind
I know nothing.
- Dec 3, 2003
- 23,057
- 45,955
- Disclosures
- Designer/Toaster Tech @ Passinwind Electronics
I had some Bergantino cabs (HT115s) that came with tiny 1/4" plastic plugs. Stuck the plugs in the holes, no air leaks. Not an issue with Speakon!
Hole Plugs 1/4" Plastic Flush Type for 5.5-6Mm Hole Snap in Locking Screw Caps | eBay
Actually, I've experienced serious whistling with one of these SpeakON NL-4 panel mount connectors set up as a paralleled output with only two wires connected and nothing plugged into it:
...so never say never!
And of course that might be chalked up to user error, since IIRC that style is primarily intended for power amp breakout panels in racks.
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- Feb 12, 2006
- 60,981
- 5
- 220,745
- Disclosures
- Development Engineer-Mesa Boogie, Development Engineer-Genzler (pedals), Product Support-Genz Benz
I’ve never used that style in a speaker.Actually, I've experienced serious whistling with one of these SpeakON NL-4 panel mount connectors set up as a paralleled output with only two wires connected and nothing plugged into it:
View attachment 5454312
...so never say never!
And of course that might be calked up to user error, since IIRC that style is primarily intended for power amp breakout panels in racks.
Passinwind
I know nothing.
- Dec 3, 2003
- 23,057
- 45,955
- Disclosures
- Designer/Toaster Tech @ Passinwind Electronics
I wouldn't recommend it, I was quite surprised by how awful it sounded.
I suspect we'd run out of things to talk about on TB if we stopped trying weird stuff.
Neutrik makes 1/4 " to Speakon connectors. I don't know much about them but I've seen them on amps.
