difference between speakon & 1/4in

A 1/4 inch connector was never designed to carry large amounts of power. The actual contact points you get with a 1/4 inch plug are very small. Speakon and banana plugs give you a much more solid connection for higher power applications. Will you hear a difference? I doubt it. I made the move to Speakons for a couple of reasons. First, most cabs are now coming equiped with them. They are very hard to accidently unplug and you can fix them without a soldering iron. Most repairs can be done with a screw driver.

 

Do a search, there are GREAT threads on these points already. Lots of great info and opinions from lots of people, no need to re-invent the wheel.

 

4 pole speakons are made to handle 2 signals for bi-amping, so you have 2 sets of positive and negative contacts.

 

My understanding is that if you run Bi-Amped then you use +1 for positive and -1 for negative of one output section and +2 for positive and -2 for negative of the other. If you just run a straight single output amp then only +1 and -1 are used.

Another great feature of the speakon connector is they lock in place by inserting and turning to the right slightly. Then pull the metal tab toward you on the top of the connector and twist and pull to remove.

Also, the wires do not need soldering on a Speakon...just insert and tighten the screw.

 

I bought a power amp that could use either 1/4th or speakon, people always told me to get the speakon just because its a power amp and its safer. i didnt get that idea untill i went and bought the speakon. I has a lock on it, in order to remove the speakon plug from the amp you need to push this thing over and slide it, its build really solid too. That sold me, i know there are lots of other reasons, but that is one secure connection.

 

(If you just run a straight single output amp then only +1 and -1 are used.)

This is correct