/ Register

Speakers with spring loaded terminals

Discussion in 'Amps and Cabs [BG]' started by moe.moe, Jun 17, 2020.

Page 1 of 2
  1. Jun 17, 2020 #1
    moe.moe

    moe.moe

    Jun 22, 2008
    Chicago
    Hello Talkbass,
    OK I got a deal on these 10" replacement speakers for my 2x10 combo amp.
    I replaced one of the woofers and the amp sounds solid.
    The other original speaker is still loaded but doesn't sound quite as good as the new one.
    My slight dilemma is that the terminals on the speakers are spring loaded.
    Replacing the first speaker was no problem at all. I simply slipped both female ends (positive and negative) into the corresponding spring loaded terminals on the new speaker that feeds off of the first one.

    Is it OK to simply follow how the 4 wires are coming into the 1st speaker and then the two wires going to the second speaker from the two prong plus and minus terminals?
    And if so, can I combine the 4 wires one pair connected to each of the 2 prong terminals and connect them (two) to the each individual positive and negative spring loaded termimals on the new speaker?

    Gosh I hope I explained that alright!!! Sorry Talkbass! :(

    Thanks in advance for any help!

    Peace! :)
     
  2. Jun 17, 2020 #2
    abarson

    abarson

    Nov 6, 2003
    Santa Cruz
    Are the new speakers actually meant for bass guitar and not car audio? I don't think I've seen spring terminals on professional gear.
     
  3. Jun 17, 2020 #3
    moe.moe

    moe.moe

    Jun 22, 2008
    Chicago
    They are bass speakers but judging by the terminals they could be for automotive stereos..
    However, it's working wonderfully though... So go figure! :)
     
  4. Jun 17, 2020 #4
    micguy

    micguy

    May 17, 2011
    The OEM speakers in a lot of cabinets have crimp connectors, but if you spend the money for the best stuff, they come with spring loaded connectors.
     
    smogg, Kaplan and wmhill like this.
  5. Jun 17, 2020 #5
    moe.moe

    moe.moe

    Jun 22, 2008
    Chicago
    @micguy exactly!
    I knew that these speakers were choice....

    My question is that the other new speaker has only two spring loaded terminals.
    The OEM speaker that is still in the cabinet has the two prong terminal with two wires going to each terminal - one set to the positive and the other to the negative.
    Can I combine the four wires two going to the positive spring terminal and the other two to the negative spring terminal...... I'm thinking yes because on the OEM speaker each pair is currently connected to each crimp connector positive and negative.
     
  6. Jun 17, 2020 #6
    abarson

    abarson

    Nov 6, 2003
    Santa Cruz
    Are they the same ohms?
     
  7. Jun 17, 2020 #7
    moe.moe

    moe.moe

    Jun 22, 2008
    Chicago
    Yes they are! My bad for not mentioning it. They are both 8ohm and rated at 250 watts each.
     
  8. Jun 17, 2020 #8
    abarson

    abarson

    Nov 6, 2003
    Santa Cruz
    Wire the + terminals together and the - terminals together to realize typical parallel wiring, which will create a total of 4 ohms load. There are diagrams in the sticky at the top of this section.
     
    moe.moe likes this.
  9. Jun 17, 2020 #9
    moe.moe

    moe.moe

    Jun 22, 2008
    Chicago
    Thank you!!!! :)
     
  10. Jun 17, 2020 #10
    Downunderwonder

    Downunderwonder

    Aug 26, 2009
    New Zealand
    Make it electrically the same. Two prongs on one terminal is the same as poking two wires in the one hole.
     
    stigbeve and smogg like this.
  11. Jun 17, 2020 #11
    moe.moe

    moe.moe

    Jun 22, 2008
    Chicago
  12. Jun 18, 2020 #12
    agedhorse

    agedhorse Supporting Member Commercial User

    Feb 12, 2006
    Davis, CA (USA)
    Development Engineer-Mesa Boogie, Development Engineer-Genzler (pedals), Product Support-Genz Benz
    The terminals do not make the speaker.

    Generally, when a speaker has 4 terminals it is either a coaxial speaker, or it's a dual voice coil speaker.

    What speaker exactly are you talking about?
     
    AudioTaper and Stumbo like this.
  13. Jun 18, 2020 #13
    PraiseBassing

    PraiseBassing Supporting Member

    Mar 6, 2017
    California
    It sounds like the op is describing the parallel wiring of the original speakers.
     
    Redbrangus likes this.
  14. Jun 18, 2020 #14
    TonH

    TonH

    Jan 26, 2011
    The Netherlands
    Maybe the OP meant this:
    Speaker.jpg
     
    Rabidhamster, stigbeve, HG1180 and 1 other person like this.
  15. Jun 18, 2020 #15
    moe.moe

    moe.moe

    Jun 22, 2008
    Chicago
    0FCB2631-247F-4517-A020-6C5DB16EF9E7.png Yes.... The OEM speaker I am replacing has the 4 prongs like the photo in the previous post.
    The new speaker, shown here, simply has two spring loaded terminals one red and one black.
    It worked perfectly with the replacement speaker, but now I'm not so sure if the 4 wires (two to each terminal) can be combined to make just 2 pairs, or in reality it would be just one pair. (Gosh, I'm getting confused!!)
    One pair for the positive terminal and the other pair for the negative.
     
  16. Jun 18, 2020 #16
    TonH

    TonH

    Jan 26, 2011
    The Netherlands
    The 2 wires that were connected to the terminals 1 and 2 on your original speaker should be combined and connected to the spring loaded terminal with the black dot (negative) of the replacement speaker.

    The 2 wires that were connected to the terminals 3 and 4 on your original speaker should be combined and connected to the spring loaded terminal with the red dot (positive) of the replacement speaker.
     
    moe.moe likes this.
  17. Jun 18, 2020 #17
    moe.moe

    moe.moe

    Jun 22, 2008
    Chicago
    @TonH That's what I was hoping! Thank you so much!!! :)
     
    TonH likes this.
  18. Jun 18, 2020 #18
    agedhorse

    agedhorse Supporting Member Commercial User

    Feb 12, 2006
    Davis, CA (USA)
    Development Engineer-Mesa Boogie, Development Engineer-Genzler (pedals), Product Support-Genz Benz
    Sounded like 4 spring clip terminals, not fast-on terminals.

    Never mind.
     
    dkelley and TonH like this.
  19. Jun 18, 2020 #19
    dkelley

    dkelley

    Apr 9, 2009
    maple ridge, bc, canada
    Yea...OP, I actually wouldn't have called those spring clip connectors.

    Normally that refers to common home audio speaker connectors. a little box with a hole in it that you stick the wire into, and a push flange on one side you hole while pushing wire it or pulling it out that releases the metal from clamping onto it.

    The connectors on your new speakers are quite superior to that kind of design, at least.

    Still - sounds like you have your answer. nice that you think the new speakers soudn better! upgrades rock, whether intentional or not!
     
  20. Jun 18, 2020 #20
    BassmanPaul

    BassmanPaul Inactive

    Aug 25, 2007
    Scarborough Ontario Canada
    Just for interest did you do any math to find out if the MCM drivers are a suitable match for your cabinet or what modifications you need to make to the cabinet to allow them to work well?
     
    AudioTaper and agedhorse like this.
Page 1 of 2