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How to connect these 2 cabinets

E

eoinwalsh

Jun 10, 2011
136
5
#1
Hi.

I have this [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

I just got this cab to use with it [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

The combo has a speakon out on it that says 1+ = Signal 1- = Gnd

The extension cab has 2 speakon connections on it. It also says 1+ = Signal 1- = Gnd



- I'm presuming I'm taking a speakon cable from the combo to the extension cab, right?

- Does it matter which speakon connection on the extension cab I connect to? Or is one an input and one an output? It doesn't specify that anywhere.

- Finally, could I use 1/4" cable instead of speakon cable?


Thanks.
 
#2
eoinwalsh said:
- I'm presuming I'm taking a speakon cable from the combo to the extension cab, right?
Click to expand...

Yep

- Does it matter which speakon connection on the extension cab I connect to? Or is one an input and one an output? It doesn't specify that anywhere.
Click to expand...

Nope

- Finally, could I use 1/4" cable instead of speakon cable?
Click to expand...

If the Speakon jack is a combo jack you can. It would say "combo" around it, on the jack itself. They're usually green too.
 
#5
I use the Markbass little Mark III Head with the Traveler 102P & Traveler 121 cabinets for the last 2 years. I usually connected both cabs to the head with a Planet Waves & a generic 1/4 inputs. I JUST THIS WEEK discovered that I can tandem the head to the 102, then the 102 to the 121 with Speakon cables. drool World of difference. Clarity. Tone. Colour. Shape. Whatever you want to call it. Everything was boosted. Also, it may seem silly, but I also did a Pepsi challenge with some power cables. Once I started using an EVS power cable, the tone changed dramatically for the better. I am now a firm believer that if you spend the money on a quality system, spend the money on quality connections as well. It will bring out the true sound of what the amp & cabs were built for.
 
#6
Jeff Constantine said:
I use the Markbass little Mark III Head with the Traveler 102P & Traveler 121 cabinets for the last 2 years. I usually connected both cabs to the head with a Planet Waves & a generic 1/4 inputs. I JUST THIS WEEK discovered that I can tandem the head to the 102, then the 102 to the 121 with Speakon cables. drool World of difference. Clarity. Tone. Colour. Shape. Whatever you want to call it. Everything was boosted. Also, it may seem silly, but I also did a Pepsi challenge with some power cables. Once I started using an EVS power cable, the tone changed dramatically for the better. I am now a firm believer that if you spend the money on a quality system, spend the money on quality connections as well. It will bring out the true sound of what the amp & cabs were built for.
Click to expand...
Are you sure those Planet Waves weren't guitar cables if you can hear that much difference?
 
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#8
Jeff Constantine said:
Also, it may seem silly, but I also did a Pepsi challenge with some power cables. Once I started using an EVS power cable, the tone changed dramatically for the better. I am now a firm believer that if you spend the money on a quality system, spend the money on quality connections as well. It will bring out the true sound of what the amp & cabs were built for.
Click to expand...

It is silly.

Snake Oil that has been debunked time and time again by real engineers.
 
#9
Jeff Constantine said:
cables. drool World of difference. Clarity. Tone. Colour. Shape. Whatever you want to call it. Everything was boosted. Also, it may seem silly, but I also did a Pepsi challenge with some power cables. Once I started using an EVS power cable, the tone changed dramatically for the better. I am now a firm believer that if you spend the money on a quality system, spend the money on quality connections as well. It will bring out the true sound of what the amp & cabs were built for.
Click to expand...

Strong stench of rat detected.
 
#10
Jeff Constantine said:
Completely sure. my friend, who is a skilled audio technician (not some basic bar sound guy, but an educated and trained audio technician who has worked on some SERIOUS projects), gave me the Planet Waves cable when I first got the MB. He was using it on his rig. He then built me the Speakons this week
Click to expand...
It was a genuine question, if you can hear a difference with those new speakon cables I'd put the old ones straight in the bin or get your friend to check for resistance. If they are of the correct csa2 and resisivity then you will not hear a difference at those power levels.
 
#11
I can understand it was a genuine question. Plus, I can understand why there would be any doubt, especially when it comes to any extra cost. The only cable I ever paid for was the EVS power cable, and that was at 1/2 price. Otherwise, the Speakons and the Planet Waves I received for free. I am not into sales. I am not endorsed. I am just giving an account of an experience from using different gear. IMHO, after using my rig for 3 years and using the equipment I have used I have definitely noticed a change in tone based on the cables I have used.
 
#12
Hmmm I think you are being taken in by the placebo effect.

There is no possible way that changing your power cable made a noticeable difference in your amp. A $1.99 or $199 power cable moves the same electrons to power your amp. If you had way too small a gauge cable, you'd probably have noticed the cable smoking or melting the insulator before you'd even notice a drop in voltage due to increased resistance And that would only be if you were cranking out at max volume pulling more current through the power cable than the cable can support.

As for the speaker cables... Same thing. Unless you had way too small of a conductor.. maybe a guitar cable and were starting to melt the center conductor, I can't conceive of a way you noticed any difference... let alone anything substantial. Good that you have Speakons now, they are safer and less prone to accidents plugging and unplugging them. But quality of sound has never been anything that could be claimed about them. Once you have enough copper/metal to handle the current required for your power, adding any more metal in a larger gauge, just is wasted money and weight.

I'd be very curious about having some other musicians do a A/B listening comparison.... where do you live? There is likely someone here on TB that would be happy to lend an ear. Measure the resistance on the old cables vs the new ones... I'm also curious if there is any difference

S
 
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