Speaker cable

[Wasnex]

Other than not being 3 feet long, that plug is identical to what the OP asked for.
Possibly not what the OP meant as it does seem a bit odd, but definitely what they asked for.

True but this was presented as an option, that I think is better in some applications.

For the record I own one of these and have made a mental note of the hazard it poses:

I believe it's a Hosa GSK116. Genuine Neutrik speakON and a Switchcraft model 121 1/4" female TS phone connector.

I use it primarily to connect my tube amps to modern speakers. I have a large amp collection, so IMHO an adapter makes sense for me. For someone with just one amp and speaker, the Male 1/4" to speakON cable above would probably be better.

 

[frankie5string]

For the record I own one of these and have made a mental note of the hazard it poses:
View attachment 3632304
I believe it's a Hosa GSK116. Genuine Neutrik speakON and a Switchcraft model 121 1/4" female TS phone connector.

I use it primarily to connect my tube amps to modern speakers. I have a large amp collection, so IMHO an adapter makes sense for me. For someone with just one amp and speaker, the Male 1/4" to speakON cable above would probably be better.

Yeah, but with tube amps, you really should be turning them off before you plug any speakers into them.
There's still a caveat, though. I've definitely found them to get quite warm after a full night of playing, even when carrying a speaker load on a relatively small 50 watt amplifier.

I've never seen a warm or hot SpeakON, though.

 

[Wasnex]

Yeah, but with tube amps, you really should be turning them off before you plug any speakers into them.
There's still a caveat, though. I've definitely found them to get quite warm after a full night of playing, even when carrying a speaker load on a relatively small 50 watt amplifier.

I've never seen a warm or hot SpeakON, though.

I don't hot swap speakers with my tube amps in operate . At the very least I will put the amp in standby and play until it stops passing signal.

 

[crazyBassClown]

For the record I own one of these and have made a mental note of the hazard it poses:

I also own a similar connector, but having now found out about the neutrik adaptor mentioned above think I will get one of those as it seems a much better solution that doesn't leave the connectors flapping around on a short length of wire.

 

[JimChjones]

Possibly not what the OP meant as it does seem a bit odd, but definitely what they asked for.

I made the assumption (ok always foolish) that the OP had all the cables they needed with .25 jacks, but had added an item with a speakon into the mix.

 

[agedhorse]

All the OP really needs to use his combo with a cabinet that has a SpeakOn input is a 1/4" male plug to Speak-On "female" connector type cable. Yes, in SpeakOn, the female is the cable mount connector.

 

[dbase]

Yes, definitely much better connectors and cable used here. However, a 1-meter, Speakon to Speakon is $75. At that price, I'll build custom cables for someone...NL4's don't even require soldering.

I only used them because they inscribe your name on the cable connector.. my instrument cable cost me $100.. A one time only buy to brag with the band.

 

[Bassdirty]

Yeah, but with tube amps, you really should be turning them off before you plug any speakers into them.

Shouldn't ALL amps (not just tube) be turned off before switching and pullin and plugin cables though?
(or at least stand by, if applicable?)

T$

 

[Giffro]

Shouldn't ALL amps (not just tube) be turned off before switching and pullin and plugin cables though?
(or at least stand by, if applicable?)

T$

Definately the best practise. I know with valve/tube amps its necessary, but I still turn off before any plugging/unplugging with my SS amps. Better safe than sorry as the old saying goes.

 

[ThisBass]

Basically my supposition is having the 1/4" plug on the speaker side presents more risk to the amp, because there is risk of the plug shorting in the jack.

As long as there is no signal runing through the amp the voltage of hot (+) versus speaker ground (-) equals zero.
Just the same as if the amp was powered off.

 

[ThisBass]

Definately the best practise. I know with valve/tube amps its necessary,

May be true for class A amplifiers where the output transformer may store energy respectively power.
Less problematic with class AB push/pull amplifiers cause the transformer with this type of amplifier does not store power

 

[Skullheadrac]

i'm about to switch to the speakon cables. Came across this thread and now i'm weary haha. Just want to make sure i'm buying the right stuff.
So, just connecting an amp head to the cabinet, would this particular cable be fine?

https://www.amazon.com/Monoprice-12...XKP6BW6H7AV&psc=1&refRID=7Y2ACVC9EXKP6BW6H7AV

 

[agedhorse]

i'm about to switch to the speakon cables. Came across this thread and now i'm weary haha. Just want to make sure i'm buying the right stuff.
So, just connecting an amp head to the cabinet, would this particular cable be fine?

https://www.amazon.com/Monoprice-12...XKP6BW6H7AV&psc=1&refRID=7Y2ACVC9EXKP6BW6H7AV

No, this brand does not use genuine Neutrik connectors, but knock-off connectors that have shown to be defective on a regular basis. This can damage the matching connectors on the amps.

Any professional branded cable that uses real Neutrik connectors will be fine, anything from 16 gauge to 12 gauge will be fine too. I prefer 14 gauge as the best compromise between flexibility and robustness.

 

[Skullheadrac]

No, this brand does not use genuine Neutrik connectors, but knock-off connectors that have shown to be defective on a regular basis. This can damage the matching connectors on the amps.

Any professional branded cable that uses real Neutrik connectors will be fine, anything from 16 gauge to 12 gauge will be fine too. I prefer 14 gauge as the best compromise between flexibility and robustness.

Ok, so in other words, don't be cheap and just spend the $25-30 on the name brands then LOL. Big price difference between these and the old 1/4" cables.

 

[agedhorse]

Ok, so in other words, don't be cheap and just spend the $25-30 on the name brands then LOL. Big price difference between these and the old 1/4" cables.

Not as big of a difference with quality 1/4" cables though.

The cost should be under $25 for a 5' cable.

 

[frankie5string]

i'm about to switch to the speakon cables. Came across this thread and now i'm weary haha. Just want to make sure i'm buying the right stuff.
So, just connecting an amp head to the cabinet, would this particular cable be fine?

https://www.amazon.com/Monoprice-12...XKP6BW6H7AV&psc=1&refRID=7Y2ACVC9EXKP6BW6H7AV

Don't buy that. That is one of the EXACT models I bought just to see what it was like. They are not reliable, and the connectors are garbage - they will shred and come off in the jack. The wires they use are also really lousy. The jackets are stiff and the wire inside tarnished after I took the ends off and left it on the workbench for a week.

 

[Skullheadrac]

Don't buy that. That is one of the EXACT models I bought just to see what it was like. They are not reliable, and the connectors are garbage - they will shred and come off in the jack. The wires they use are also really lousy. The jackets are stiff and the wire inside tarnished after I took the ends off and left it on the workbench for a week.

This is why I love TalkBass. Thanks guys for helping dodge that bullet!

 

[seamonkey]

For a head to cab run.
Neutrik NL2FX connectors are $3 each
Cut the ends off a spare 16 gauge power cable and wire up the speakONs
Read the side of the power cable to see what gauge it is.

Search youtube for videos on how to wire speakONs and Ignore the spare wire in the power cable. Power cables are 3-wire you only need 2 for 2-pole speakon.

SpeakON are much much easier for a DIY to install than any 1/4" plug and much more reliable once they are put together. The screw terminals hold the wires like a crimp, and the plugs have built in strain reliefs.

 

[BassmanPaul]

Reliable in-line 1/4" TS and TRS connectors exist within the Switchcraft line, but not recommended for this use due to the barrel/shell being energized in BTL applications.

You sound like a prophet shouting into the wilderness.

 

[agedhorse]

You sound like a prophet shouting into the wilderness.

The wilderness can't say that they weren't warned