Loose connections on mesa subway cabs

[bullgoose76]

Can anyone help or shed some light, I’ve got 4 mesa subway cabs and the speakon connections are really bad no matter how much I spend on fancy cables, I’ve tried keyed, non keyed all genuine neutrik cables spent a small fortune, but when I plug in the connections are loose so a slight wiggle or movement and the connection is gone to the cab, the amp connection is solid.

 

[Redbrangus]

This occurs with all four cabs?

 

[Chuck M]

I had had no problems as long as I use cables with Neutric connectors.

 

[fdeck]

I've learned from the experts that a suspicious problem might have an unexpected cause. Is it possible that something has happened to the internals of the cab, such as a loose connection or solder joint? Or perhaps that one rogue cable damaged the connector, leaving it vulnerable?

 

[Sparky Mark]

Do the sockets on the cabs have Neutrik Speakon on them? If not, that could be the issue. I've never seen a genuine Neutrik Speakon that isn’t clearly marked.

 

[agedhorse]

It’s most likely that the jacks got damaged from a non-Neutrik plug, but I am wary with all 4 exhibiting the same issue.

What happens when you use the other jack on the cabinet?

There are thousands of these cabinets out there with very few connector issues.

By any chance are the plugs the new brown collar version of the plug?

If the jack is damaged, I do have a service program to Handel this repair, it’s not an easy or DIY repair as it’s easy to damage the PCB without the right tools and experience. A replacement crossover is expensive.

 

[Jeff Scott]

If the jack is damaged, I do have a service program to Handel this repair...

Andy is the Messiah of all things Mesa.

 

[McFarlin]

It’s most likely that the jacks got damaged from a non-Neutrik plug, but I am wary with all 4 exhibiting the same issue.

What happens when you use the other jack on the cabinet?

There are thousands of these cabinets out there with very few connector issues.

By any chance are the plugs the new brown collar version of the plug?

If the jack is damaged, I do have a service program to Handel this repair, it’s not an easy or DIY repair as it’s easy to damage the PCB without the right tools and experience. A replacement crossover is expensive.

Even with heavy use not one of mine has Baroque.

 

[Substrate]

Sometimes it’s tough to find where the damage is Haydn.

 

[winston]

If the jack is damaged, I do have a service program to Handel this repair, it’s not an easy or DIY repair as it’s easy to damage the PCB without the right tools and experience. A replacement crossover is expensive.

In other words, don't go Messiaen around if you don't know what you're doing!

 

[jtg]

If you handel the fix wrong your problem will come right bach.

 

[rickdog]

Can anyone help or shed some light, I’ve got 4 mesa subway cabs and the speakon connections are really bad no matter how much I spend on fancy cables, I’ve tried keyed, non keyed all genuine neutrik cables spent a small fortune, but when I plug in the connections are loose so a slight wiggle or movement and the connection is gone to the cab, the amp connection is solid.

Did you buy the cabs new or used? If used, I'd suspect the previous owner used off-brand connectors on their cables.

Umm... you ARE twisting them until they lock in place, right?

 

[Redbrangus]

Umm... you ARE twisting them until they lock in place, right?

A very pertinent question.

 

[MultiScaleMale]

By any chance are the plugs the new brown collar version of the plug?

Oh no, are the brown ones discouraged?

 

[Nebadon2000]

Even if I saved all 4 boxes living on East Coast would definitely give Duct Tape a shot before dealing with that nightmare of Shipping to CA.

Or go against what is considered best and get cable that is
Speakon at Amp and 1/4" at Speaker and not tell anybody especially @agedhorse

 

[Mike Caldwell]

In what you said this makes wonder "I’ve tried keyed, non keyed all genuine neutrik" there are no non keyed Speakon connectors.
You may have had a knock off Speakon at some point and damaged all the jacks, post a pict of your cables.

The new style "brown" Speakons are NL2's, two conductor.

 

[Geri O]

Oh no, are the brown ones discouraged?

Yes, according to Van Halen, the brown ones make you horny…,

 

[smogg]

Oh no, are the brown ones discouraged?

I too would like to know if there is an issue with the brown ones.

 

[S-Bigbottom]

Hear or feel a click?

 

[PolkaHero]

I had the same issue with two of my Subway cabs. Probably didn't use a Neutrik plug at some point, not sure. Anyway, I removed the crossover assemblies and sent them directly to Andy (agedhorse) who replaced the connectors. Haven't had any issues since!