Neutrik vs. 1/4" cabinet jacks

[jsf729]

I was looking through the manual that came with my 1997 Eden D210XLT. It has 1/4" parallel jacks and a Banana Plug (!) input. They highly recommend using the Banana Plug instead of the 1/4" because there is "more surface area". I rarely need- if ever- to use 2 cabinets. The Banana Plug is a PIA if you ask me. Should I replace it with a Neutrik if Eden's claim is valid or is 1/4" just fine?

 

[Old Garage-Bander]

1/4" are probably one of the worst connectors for this use.
There is barely any surface area contact, especially on the tip.
It a flat surface contacting a round surface.

Bananas are far superior in this respect.
The PIA factor should weigh against the much improved power handling capability.

But it all boils down to how much power you're running.

A couple of hundred watts would be OK with 1/4".
(Fender seems to think 350 is good.)
YMMV
Just be sure they stay clean to minimize contact point resistance.

 

[jsf729]

1/4" are probably one of the worst connectors for this use.
There is barely any surface area contact, especially on the tip.
It a flat surface contacting a round surface.

Bananas are far superior in this respect.
The PIA factor should weigh against the much improved power handling capability.

But it all boils down to how much power you're running.

A couple of hundred watts would be OK with 1/4".
(Fender seems to think 350 is good.)
YMMV
Just be sure they stay clean to minimize contact point resistance.

Great advice. Thanks. I guess I'll order a factory made cable. The one that I made has thumb screw connections and I always need to remember to tighten them before a gig.

 

[eastcoasteddie]

The first time I ever used Banana plugs was with a Goliath II 4x10.
Though the plugs do have more surface area of contact for high-watt systems, they are still flawed in a way that they can be more easily pulled out than 1/4" plugs.
I upgraded my cabs with Speak-on connectors...

 

[popgadget]

If the jack plate allows, I'd definitely go to Speakon.
They're all I use.

 

[tkonbass]

I would add a Neutrik Speakon jack and forget the others were there. There are multiple past threads extolling the many benefits of Speakons over 1/4" connectors. Higher power handling is only one of them.

 

[CL400Peavey]

Ditch both, install two speakon connectors.

 

[jsf729]

I would add a Neutrik Speakon jack and forget the others were there. There are multiple past threads extolling the many benefits of Speakons over 1/4" connectors. Higher power handling is only one of them.

Yeah, guess I should have trolled a bit first. Thought having banana jack was a bit out of the ordinary though. Thanks

 

[Al Kraft]

As superior as a banana connector is to the 1/4" in some ways (mostly electrical contact area related), IMO the Speakon beats them both by adding not only a more solid electrical connection with excellent contact area, but a locking feature and personal safety aspects.

My rule of thumb on bass cabs has always been that for 300 Watt rated heads or less, 1/4" is acceptable, Speakon is always desirable. Without calling anyone out, I think Mesa takes this stuff very seriously and their Walkabout and Carbine M3 heads have only 1/4" speaker outputs...and I've never had a problem with either one in years of use.

 

[beans-on-toast]

The ¼" jacks will be fine. I prefer speakons.

I've replaced ¼" jacks with speakons and unless you have the proper metal punch, it's a lot of work. If you decide to go this route, see if you can find a replacement Penn-Elcom metal dish that's an exact fit. Perhaps one of these:

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[jsf729]

The ¼" jacks will be fine. I prefer speakons.

I've replaced ¼" jacks with speakons and unless you have the proper metal punch, it's a lot of work. If you decide to go this route, see if you can find a replacement Penn-Elcom metal dish that's an exact fit. Perhaps one of these:

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Thanks for the link. Yeah, I looked at the back of my cabinet and a speakon retrofit would be difficult. Those plates make it simpler for sure

 

[jsf729]

As superior as a banana connector is to the 1/4" in some ways (mostly electrical contact area related), IMO the Speakon beats them both by adding not only a more solid electrical connection with excellent contact area, but a locking feature and personal safety aspects.

My rule of thumb on bass cabs has always been that for 300 Watt rated heads or less, 1/4" is acceptable, Speakon is always desirable. Without calling anyone out, I think Mesa takes this stuff very seriously and their Walkabout and Carbine M3 heads have only 1/4" speaker outputs...and I've never had a problem with either one in years of use.

Nice to hear that. I have their Bass Prodigy 4:88 on my radar...

 

[tkonbass]

Thanks for the link. Yeah, I looked at the back of my cabinet and a speakon retrofit would be difficult. Those plates make it simpler for sure

Even simpler:

Invalid Link Removed

 

[jsf729]

Even simpler:

Invalid Link Removed

Thanks. Didn't see that on Neutrik website. Much bigger flange would make retrofit much simpler

 

[BadExample]

Be sure to get one that has the internal wire connections that are best for your tools and skills. There are solder cup, terminals and screw terminal available for many of the Neutrik speakons. Also be sure to get Neutrik and not copy cats which some people have had problems with.

 

[Runlikegregg]

not really all that relevant, but I think those Eden banana plugs predated neutrik speakons. once those became common I think they switched over (this was a dozen years ago or so).

 

[jsf729]

Be sure to get one that has the internal wire connections that are best for your tools and skills. There are solder cup, terminals and screw terminal available for many of the Neutrik speakons. Also be sure to get Neutrik and not copy cats which some people have had problems with.

Thanks. Plenty of solder skills and tools. Wasn't aware that Neutrik made banana plugs. I have found some good looking individual plugs as compared to the dual that I have now. But I've had the dual for 20 years

 

[BassmanPaul]

Most manufacturers who install SpeakOns use the four pole variety even if they are only using two. When I went exclusively to SpeakOn I opend up the holes for the 1/4 socket to 15/16” which allowed the NL4 socket to fit. Two 1/8” holes for the mountings and a pair of POP rivets secured the thing.

 

[Munjibunga]

I was looking through the manual that came with my 1997 Eden D210XLT. It has 1/4" parallel jacks and a Banana Plug (!) input. They highly recommend using the Banana Plug instead of the 1/4" because there is "more surface area". I rarely need- if ever- to use 2 cabinets. The Banana Plug is a PIA if you ask me. Should I replace it with a Neutrik if Eden's claim is valid or is 1/4" just fine?

Quarter-inch is OK. It's what everyone used for over 50 years. I never had an issue with them for over 30 years. Speakons are better.

 

[BadExample]

Thanks. Plenty of solder skills and tools. Wasn't aware that Neutrik made banana plugs. I have found some good looking individual plugs as compared to the dual that I have now. But I've had the dual for 20 years

That was in reference to the speakons, not banana type. Sorry I was not clear.