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creating speakon to 1/4" cable

C

coldfoot_luke

Jul 4, 2010
76
18
SC
#1
My amp (Mesa D-800+) has speakon output, my cab (Traynor 8x10) has 1/4" input. I use a speakon to 1/4" cable, no adaptor.

I want to get a backup, but have a plethora of 1/4" patch cables, and a power cable that is speakon on both ends. I don't really want to spend money when I have unused cables laying around...

I'm thinking to cut my speakon cable in half, and use the jacks from a patch cable to make two speakon-1/4" cables. I'd use the power cable of course, not the patch cable.

I didn't find any thing on this after searching. Before I start cutting and soldering, any concerns against this?
 
#2
I'd recommend replacing the 1/4" jack in your cabinet with a SpeakON.
Those Power cables are probably NOT SpeakON, although they look very similar.

This is a PowerCON connector:
Neutrik_NAC3FCB__97371.1562190668.jpg

looks a lot like a SpeakON, but no it's not!
 
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#3
Killed_by_Death said:
I'd recommend replacing the 1/4" jack in your cabinet with a SpeakON.
Those Power cables are probably NOT SpeakON, although they look very similar.

This is a PowerCON connector:
View attachment 3898295
looks a lot like a SpeakON, but no it's not!
Click to expand...
Good suggestion... I was actually going to replace the 1/4" jack on the cab anyways, getting loose and unreliable. Why didn't I think of that earlier... thanks man-
 
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#7
For the OP in case he does not know what Bridge entails: Your amp has two power amps. One drives the +1/Tip rail and the other i80 degrees apart, drives the -1/Sleeve rail. If something grounded contacts the sleeve of the Phone jack it shorts out the second power amp and possibly destroys the amp.
 
#13
Killing Floor said:
Agree to disagree. I have a D800+ and I plan to have a couple beers. But I am also amenable to other beverages if you would prefer I drink whiskey or sotol.
Click to expand...
I will leave this quote from Mr. Agedhorse about phone plugs and class D and even spacificly the Subway amps from this thread, connecting one amp to two cabs.
agedhorse said:
Some of the same stuff, but there are specific protections that SpeakOns provide to bridged amp topologies that are unique. The minus terminal of a bridged amp (most class D amps are internally bridged) is NOT at ground but is driven, and for some of the larger amps, grabbing the sleeve of the 1/4" connection can deliver a pretty good jolt, BUT when you happen to accidentally grab the whole connector while the other end is plugged into an amp like any of the Subway amps, there is about 140 volts peak that will get your complete and undivided attention. This is one of the safety reasons that I alluded to earlier.

I repeat, SpeakOn connectors are superior in every single way.
Click to expand...
 
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#18
To anyone else who reads this & takes the "buy a SpeakON to 1/4" cable to heart:

DO NOT buy a cheap-as-chips SpeakON to 1/4" cable & expect it not to fail on you.
That's what I did & the MonoPrice "SpeakON" was faulty after a few months, intermittent connection loss.
Worst case they get stuck in your cabinet, & then you're hosed!

If you insist on still going that route, make sure it has a real Neutrik SpeakON & not a knock-off.
 
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#19
byacey said:
I can't imagine what a Powercon to Powercon cable would be used for, except perhaps jumping AC power between two pieces of gear, but that seems highly unusual.
Click to expand...
Actually, Power-Cons have gender, just like parallel-blade, Edison-type AC connectors, and a LOT of devices with Power-Cons have parallel "ins" and "outs" to enable daisy-chaining. LED lighting instruments and powered line array speaker systems come to mind.
 
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