Caution regarding some newly introduced SpeakOn cables

[agedhorse]

Just a cautionary informational note... there is at least one manufacturer (a Gator brand) that has introduced a "new" knock-off SpeakOn plug that carries a short circuit risk for those of you using some pro audio amps that combine left and right channels onto a single SpeakOn jack for purposes of biamp and bridged operation with a single connection (Crown and QSC amps,).

The issue is the metalized shell, which when inserted but not twisted to latch could short terminals 1- to 2- . If the amp used BTL output per channel, this would short the minus of one channel to the minus of the other channel which could be catastrophic. Also, some amps ground reference both channels but invert signal and power amp polarity on one channel to help protect the power supply from reactive power over-voltage (Peavey and Crest do this for example). If this is the case, the short would be between the plus of one channel and minus of the other channel with equally catastrophic results.

Please be aware of this, Genuine Neutrik SpeakOn plugs are not available with metalized shells for this reason.

 

[ShadowGroover]

Too bad said manufacturer doesn't contract someone such as @agedhorse for design and materials quality control in a preproduction design review process. So much for preproduction design testing and validation, too.

Of course, Andy just provided similar post-production service for "free" (It's not really free when cheap defective parts are in the wild, potentially causing catastrophic destruction to expensive electronics, resulting in liability claims, as well as loss of production, distribution, and sale investment for the defective part).

 

[Diplock]

These things don't survive competent R&D. They just don't.
Thanks for the heads up.

 

[JRA]

good to know! thanks.

 

[Jim C]

This should be a sticky.
Thanks for this important PSA.
They probably saved $5 per cable...

 

[Geri O]

Sweetwater is pushing those Gator/Cableworks Speakon cables really hard.

About to send my salesman a note…..

 

[Mike Caldwell]

Neutrik does make legit Speakons with metal shells, I use some of them.
https://www.neutrik.com/en/neutrik/...onnectors/speakon-cable-connectors/stx-series

 

[agedhorse]

Neutrik does make legit Speakons with metal shells, I use some of them.
https://www.neutrik.com/en/neutrik/...onnectors/speakon-cable-connectors/stx-series

If you look at the female plugs (male doesn't matter since there's no contacts on those surfaces), you will see that there is a nylon insert on the inside diameter of the outer ring of the plug. This is for exactly the reason I mentioned. I did not see this in any of the pictures of the plugs I mentioned earlier, which is why it jumped out to me.

It's possible that these pictures are renders and not actual product photos, or that there is a nylon insert that's hidden. If it's as pictured, it's possible to damage an expensive amp without realizing the risk. I will look to see if there are any other pictures available.

 

[Mike Caldwell]

All the Neutrik's have the insulating insert.
The Gator "Speakons" I found on Sweetwater look like renderings.
I did find these on the Gator site and look like they have the nylon insulator,
though the general connector overall looks different than what is pictured on
Sweetwater.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[beans-on-toast]

All the Neutrik's have the insulating insert.
The Gator "Speakons" I found on Sweetwater look like renderings.
I did find these on the Gator site and look like they have the nylon insulator,
though the general connector overall looks different than what is pictured on
Sweetwater.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

The gator metal connectors do appear to have an inner insulator. It would be better if they provided a technical specification like Neutrik and others do.

The Sweetwater images are misleading.

 

[74hc]

Should have sent Gator an email first.

 

[agedhorse]

Should have sent Gator an email first.

The picture in their press release does not show a nylon insert (or it’s a rendering as I mentioned earlier). I see that there are some different pictures, so just be sure that the body has the nylon insert all the way through the nose of the plug.

Because there are players here using bridged power amps by Crown, Crest and Peavey, that use the 2+/2- terminals and because blowing any of these up is an expensive repair, the caution is justified. It’s NOT a problem with typical bass amps because 2+/2- are not used.

If there really is a nylon insert and the picture (image) that I saw was incorrect, then it’s not a problem.

There are other knockoffs of the Neutrik plugs that had the same issue with the nose of the connector being metal, which is why this stood out, as it caused problems in the pro audio industry but fortunately there weren’t many made and I haven’t seen any in a while. Knock-off plugs have caused problems for a long time and have been discussed here on TB multiple times complete with pictures of the damage they can cause.

 

[bdplaid]

Just a cautionary informational note... there is at least one manufacturer (a Gator brand) that has introduced a "new" knock-off SpeakOn plug that carries a short circuit risk for those of you using some pro audio amps that combine left and right channels onto a single SpeakOn jack for purposes of biamp and bridged operation with a single connection (Crown and QSC amps,).

The issue is the metalized shell, which when inserted but not twisted to latch could short terminals 1- to 2- . If the amp used BTL output per channel, this would short the minus of one channel to the minus of the other channel which could be catastrophic. Also, some amps ground reference both channels but invert signal and power amp polarity on one channel to help protect the power supply from reactive power over-voltage (Peavey and Crest do this for example). If this is the case, the short would be between the plus of one channel and minus of the other channel with equally catastrophic results.

Please be aware of this, Genuine Neutrik SpeakOn plugs are not available with metalized shells for this reason.

Is it the Backline series? The other looked like plastic to me.

 

[Geri O]

Neutrik is the original maker of the Speakon and have proven themselves for many years.

Based on my experience with several hundred NL4s and NL8s, I’m sticking with Neutrik.

 

[Zooberwerx]

Neutrik is the original maker of the Speakon and have proven themselves for many years.

Based on my experience with several hundred NL4s and NL8s, I’m sticking with Neutrik.

This is why my all-aluminum childproof outlet protectors never caught on.

Riis

 

[Geri O]

This is why my all-aluminum childproof outlet protectors never caught on.

Riis

This is the internet winner of the day!

 

[Killing Floor]

I love the smell of blue smoke in the morning. It smells like victory.

 

[Zooberwerx]

I love the smell of blue smoke in the morning. It smells like victory.

“Roll on two”

Riis

 

[S-Bigbottom]

This is why my all-aluminum childproof outlet protectors never caught on.

Riis

Should have made them from aluminium.

 

[agedhorse]

Is it the Backline series? The other looked like plastic to me.

I just checked the website and all the pictures are gone for this (now just place holders), when you click on speaker cables for the headline series (which is where I thought I saw the original pictures linked to) it pulls up the instrument cables page.

The genuine Neutrik connectors (housings, bushings and inserts) are manufactured from glass reinforced Polyamide material (Nylon is a Polyamide) which carry a UL 94 V-0 and UL 94 HB flame spread rating (inherent characteristic of the material and filler) which is required under safety regulations for jacks used on an amp if it's considered a potential ignition source due to voltage and power. Most knockoffs use ABS plastic. While the two plastics can look alike, they are significantly different in performance and durability (including retaining the contact bars better and more stable)

This is why I emphasize using Neutrik plugs, I almost never see a problem with them damaging jacks or being the source of intermittent connections when terminated according to the factory directions.