Speakon/cab differences

[JoeGass]

Hi.
I have a markbass head and 2 cabs (barefaced midget and acoustic image doubleshot)
I'm only using 1 cab at a time.
I have 2 speakon cables.
The barefaced cab will only work with one of my speakon cables, but the doubleshot works with either.
Is there a fault on the barefaced cab?

 

[JoeGass]

Opened up the 2 cables and they look like they're wired the same. Wiggled the non-working one at the cab end and momentarily I got some sound, so must be a loose connection somewhere. Not sure why both cables work with the doubleshot

 

[agedhorse]

Are the plugs genuine parts or an off-shore knock-off?

 

[JoeGass]

Not sure... one came from a music shop a few years back. And the one that works for both cabs, was given to me when I bought the barefaced cab second-hand.
I think a new genuine cable is in order.
Thanks

 

[5StringPocket]

My Gallien-Krueger cab has a 2-conductor Speakon jack which only works with 2 conductor Speakon cables, while 4-conductor Speakon jacks work with both 2 and 4 conductor cables. Hopefully the Barefaced cab has a 4-conductor Speakon jack? Genuine Speakon instead of a cheap knockoff also applies.

 

[mmbongo]

At one time I had 10 different cabs, 2 of them being Barefaced. I used the same Speakon cables on all of them, of course I made them myself with genuine Neutrik ends. Definitely make sure you have genuine ends as I've seen cab connecters damaged by knock-off ends.

 

[JoeGass]

Thanks guys, I wasn't aware that speakon came as 2 or 4.
I'll make sure to get some genuine cables

 

[agedhorse]

You can use either NL2 or NL4 plugs in the standard NL4 jacks. No manufacturer should be using NL2 jacks in today’s world as they are incompatible with 99.9% of all SpeakOn applications.

 

[5StringPocket]

You can use either NL2 or NL4 plugs in the standard NL4 jacks. No manufacturer should be using NL2 jacks in today’s world as they are incompatible with 99.9% of all SpeakOn applications.

I complained to Gallien-Krueger about this and was informed that they now use NL4 jacks.

 

[jeff62]

You can use either NL2 or NL4 plugs in the standard NL4 jacks. No manufacturer should be using NL2 jacks in today’s world as they are incompatible with 99.9% of all SpeakOn applications.

I complained to Gallien-Krueger about this and was informed that they now use NL4 jacks.

yeah, the GK Legacy amp I have only uses NL2. Fortunately, my Mesa WD800 and Aguilar cabs also accommodate NL2 so I’m good.

 

[agedhorse]

yeah, the GK Legacy amp I have only uses NL2. Fortunately, my Mesa WD800 and Aguilar cabs also accommodate NL2 so I’m good.

All amps and cabinets that follow the industry accepted guidelines will accept either NL2 or NL4 plugs, 1+/1- wired straight through.

 

[ErnieD]

Is there a particular vendor(s) that stock genuine Speakon cables. I have 2 that i forget where i bought many years ago. They work with several different amps/cabs i own. But I'd like to get a couple newer ones now.

 

[agedhorse]

Is there a particular vendor(s) that stock genuine Speakon cables. I have 2 that i forget where i bought many years ago. They work with several different amps/cabs i own. But I'd like to get a couple newer ones now.

NL213GA | NL4FC Speakon equipped 13/2 Speaker Cable

 

[KellyC]

Hi.
I have a markbass head and 2 cabs (barefaced midget and acoustic image doubleshot)
I'm only using 1 cab at a time.
I have 2 speakon cables.
The barefaced cab will only work with one of my speakon cables, but the doubleshot works with either.
Is there a fault on the barefaced cab?

I've found the cheap, generic speakon cables to be too unreliable for even light use. My theory is that the plug contacts are mostly pot metal with inconsistent conduction and excessive expansion/contraction under heat cycles.

 

[DannyW]

I bought two cables from Ploynk ten years ago that are well made, have Neutrik Speakons and were reasonably priced.

 

[ErnieD]

Cool. Any suggests for good quality Speakon adapters to use w my 1/4" cables? Or dont waste my time?
I still have and use 2 very thick, quality 3ft, 1/4" speaker cables I bought at Mars Music store as they closed down in Houston. They have Mars Music name on the white rubber end covers. Seems kinda cool to me.

And I bought a 18' instrument cable many years ago from ??Bayou (city?) Cables?? Hope that name close to it. In Baton Rouge? I believe. Very good quality, custom cable i still use today.
Found him here by TB member suggests.
But I'll check out some sites for better 2'/3' speakon cables soon. Thnx, e.

 

[DJ Bebop]

NL213GA | NL4FC Speakon equipped 13/2 Speaker Cable

 

[DJ Bebop]

And I bought a 18' instrument cable many years ago from ??Bayou (city?) Cables?? Hope that name close to it. In Baton Rouge? I believe. Very good quality, custom cable i still use today.
Found him here by TB member suggests.
But I'll check out some sites for better 2'/3' speakon cables soon. Thnx, e.

Bayou Audio Cables

 

[beans-on-toast]

The cable can be tested end-to-end with an ohm meter. This tests the wire. It doesn’t fully test the speakon connector contacts with the amp and cab connectors.