• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

making speakon cables

claytitan

claytitan

Mar 12, 2008
330
8
Tennessee
#1
I posted a while ago about making some speakon cables and someone recommended that I use the 4 pole NL4FC type connectors instead of the 2 pole versions. I can't find a reason why I need the 4 pole. If I go that route can I use the 4 pole connector in the standard 2 pole connection on the back of my speaker cabinet? Do I just connect 2 wires? I think the 2 pole is all I need. I didn't think making the cables would be so complicated...:hmm:
 
#2
It's not that complicated at all! Firstly a 2 pole plug will fit into a 4 pole socket +1 & -1. A 4 pole plug will not fit into a 2 pole socket. Every piece of equipment I own that came with a speakon came with a 4 pole socket. I standardized on that like most of we speakon users. Regular cables are wired +1 > +1 and -1 > -1 on each end. Cables for bridging are wired differently but we'll leave those out for the moment.

Paul
 
#4
+1 I make most all of my own Speakon cables,I did learn the hard way that you cant plug a 4 pole male in to a 2 pole socket.
BassmanPaul said:
It's not that complicated at all! Firstly a 2 pole plug will fit into a 4 pole socket +1 & -1. A 4 pole plug will not fit into a 2 pole socket. Every piece of equipment I own that came with a speakon came with a 4 pole socket. I standardized on that like most of we speakon users. Regular cables are wired +1 > +1 and -1 > -1 on each end. Cables for bridging are wired differently but we'll leave those out for the moment.

Paul
Click to expand...
 
#5
Not to be too anal, but just ordered some 12-4 and Nuetrik connectors.
Is there a recognized standard wiring color code for each terminal, or, does each manufacturer randomly choose a color coding scheme?

Also, when using a bannanna to Speakon is it black bannana to -1 speakon and red to +1? Rather than spend 10 minutes looking it up, thought it might be good to have it in this thread.
 
#6
4-pole speakon is designed for use typically in stage monitors. you send the full range signal to a crossover, split it top-end and bottom end, then into an amplifier. the two channels in the amplifier connect internally to send two signals. the 4-way connection is like having 2 jack leads. you know how there's a positive and negative in a mono jack? it's just that, but twice!
 
#7
The speakon was designed in response to a European Union directive concerning safety of the voltages generated by high wattage amplifiers. They are not monitor specific in any way. Sorry Visual but your post makes little sense to me though I think I understand where you are trying to go!

Paul
 
#10
If I recall:

+1 BLACK
-1 WHITE
+2 RED
-2 GREEN

The only reason I'd ever use a 2-pole Speakon on a cable is if I ever came across a piece of gear that actually uses a 2-pole jack. So far nothing I've ever used does.
Click to expand...

Thanks,
I was going to make a few cables and thought it would be smart to use whatever the standard color pin out is.

Will also use 4 wire on the 2 conductor bannanna jacks but want to be consistent for potential phasing problems when mixing cabs.
 
#11
greenboy said:
The only reason I'd ever use a 2-pole Speakon on a cable is if I ever came across a piece of gear that actually uses a 2-pole jack. So far nothing I've ever used does.
Click to expand...

I kind of prefer the release mechanism on the 2-pole Speakon, not to mention the lower price. So naturally, I have a baffling array of both kicking around at all times...;)
 
#13
So far, I have never seen a mono bass amp that didn't use the NL4MP 4-pole jack if it came Speakon-equipped from the factory.

WHY? I have no idea.

Speakons are the source of more unnecessary, non-standard confusion per ounce than any other item I can think of. :spit:
 
#15
Tunaman said:
Where do you guys buy your wire to make speakon cables? What exactly should I be looking for? Want to go to the store prepared, i know about the speakon ends, thats easy.
Click to expand...

Plenty of companies on the net sell raw wire for speakers. You can get it in side-by-side conductors on a "zip" configuration, or in extra durable round casing. Here's one source I used:

Invalid Link Removed

You can even go to Home Depot or Lowes and get any wire with two conductors, no ground, but for shorter bass cab runs, I suggest 14 gauge.
 
#16
Tunaman said:
Where do you guys buy your wire to make speakon cables? What exactly should I be looking for?
Click to expand...

To make speaker cables, I typically buy two-conductor wire at a hardware store.

You want stranded copper conductors. A round jacket makes it easy to coil and stow, and the strain relief of the Speakon plug clamps easily onto it. 12 or 14 AWG is good, even 16 if it's only a couple feet long.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back