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Mostly that they are safer for carrying large amounts of power. But I may be wrong
DiabolusInMusic
Functionless Art is Merely Tolerated Vandalism
As @PaulReside said, they can handle more power and are much better for bi-amping. You will not notice a difference in tone but they lock into the head and cab for greater security. You also don't have a chance of using an instrument cable in place of one or worry about picking the wrong 1/4" jack on a dark stage. I only use 1/4" cables on vintage gear where it lacks Neutrik jacks.
There are two and four conductor versions, a four can be used for both applications while a two conductor cannot be used for bi-amping. Four connector plugs are the industry standard for bass amps but a two conductor cable will work in a four conductor receptacle. You can tell them apart by the way the plug locks.
Thanks for the detailed answer. So essentially my gain will be with security. What about daisy chaining two cabs together?
DiabolusInMusic
Functionless Art is Merely Tolerated Vandalism
It will perform just the same as if you daisy chained with 1/4" cables. Just like two 1/4" jacks on the back on a unit two neutrik jacks means they are parallel. I know my Epifani 3x10, for example, labels the Neutrik jacks in and out but they both do exactly the same thing and can be reversed for the same performance.
Just for clarity:
Neutrik is a brand name, not a type of connector.
Neutrik also makes XLR, TS, TRS, phono, AC power, and many more connectors types.
Neutrik is a brand name, not a type of connector.
Neutrik also makes XLR, TS, TRS, phono, AC power, and many more connectors types.
Using the green receptacle jacks on the cabs vs the black ones will give you the vantage of using both vintage and modern amps with a cab.. you would have two different cables but then again you could just use an adaptor on the 1/4" cable to make it work with the Neutrik jack on the modern amp.
I'd stay away personally. If I tug on my jack or any cables or connections by accident, (which happens a lot), I want the cable to come out, not get bent with the pressure, or pull on or damage any other parts. Instead of a locking anything, I just run my cable over my strap like so many do. I want a quick release if I need it.
Dude.. we're talking about the cables that go between the amp and the cabs.. not between the instrument to what ever the signal goes to from there!
Yeah, I know. I was referring to both amp and cabs AND basses. I've never once had a cable fall out or disconnect from either the amp or cab in my 20 years of playing.
Ok.. just wanted to make sure that all were on the same page is all! TB on!
I've repaired tube amps with blown output transformers from 1/4" plugs being pulled or blown out while in use. We also in the old days had to use AC twist-lock connectors on PA cabs because 1/4" were burning out with high power.
yup exactly why I use the locking cables with my SVT and 810. I don't want that coming loose unknowingly and popping and killing speakers or output transformers.
Speakon™ is the connector type.
Actually "SpeakON" is also registered trademark of Neutrik. Other manufacturers call them NL connectors or speakon "style".
Solderless SpeakOn + SJOOW cable = cable happiness at custom lengths:
SJOOW - Wire - The Home Depot
Sold by the foot in DIY stores.
SJOOW - Wire - The Home Depot
Sold by the foot in DIY stores.
Hopkins
Commercial User
In my opinion, there is absolutely ZERO reason to not be using speakon cables. They are superior in every way to a 1/4" phone jack.
Hopkins
Commercial User
Of course, but if the option is there, there is no good reason to use 1/4" phone speaker cables.
I only use the Speakon style connectors, and they work fine. My only beef is that they seem to be getting more expensive and harder to find. I just bought 4 of them yesterday, and the choices are not great at the moment. I may be prodded to get back into rolling my own.
BTW, there seem to be a couple of types. I seem to prefer the ones with the spring loaded grey plastic locking sleeve over the ones with the sliding metal thumb latch.
Edit: the reason I mentioned my recent difficulty finding cables at reasonable price is that there is one thing about the Speakon type connectors that concerns me. We used to rely on the IEEE standards committees to set standards for connector configurations. In our more recent Wild West business environment, it is now all about who has the IP and can control the product chain. In short, it would be a bad thing if a bunch of overly ambitious types at Neutrik decided to strangle the product chain AFTER the industry adopting the connector type as a standard purely as a money grab and because they can. Paying $40 for a danged speaker cable made out of $0.20 worth of parts is a good deal for Neutrik, but a lousy deal for musicians. EOR
BTW, there seem to be a couple of types. I seem to prefer the ones with the spring loaded grey plastic locking sleeve over the ones with the sliding metal thumb latch.
Edit: the reason I mentioned my recent difficulty finding cables at reasonable price is that there is one thing about the Speakon type connectors that concerns me. We used to rely on the IEEE standards committees to set standards for connector configurations. In our more recent Wild West business environment, it is now all about who has the IP and can control the product chain. In short, it would be a bad thing if a bunch of overly ambitious types at Neutrik decided to strangle the product chain AFTER the industry adopting the connector type as a standard purely as a money grab and because they can. Paying $40 for a danged speaker cable made out of $0.20 worth of parts is a good deal for Neutrik, but a lousy deal for musicians. EOR
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