Speakon Cable Woes

[Crusher47]

Having a weird issue - My Mesa Subway 2x15 cabinet is not playing nice with my D800 Subway head lately. I thought I was using quality Speakon cables but the only set I can get working is a cheap flimsy cable. I want to use a good sturdy cable and purchased 3 different cables from 3 different sources and none of them work.

They either don't click completely closed and the set that does click still doesn't work. I either have terrible luck or I am doing something wrong. Any ideas?

Edit: I only know about this issue because I had to move the cab to clean behind it, Once I moved it back and reconnected the cable to the head, it wouldn't work. Tried another brand new cable, no good.... Tried cheapie cable, it works! Went and bought yet another better quality cable and that one doesn't work either.

Thanks in advance

 

[g-dude]

It's not about the cable so much as the connectors.

Are you using genuine Neutrik connectors?

 

[Crusher47]

Not sure... is there a way to tell? Do they have a logo?

 

[jeffb28451]

Speakons are great, until they aren't. I cheaped out on my first several. Learned my lesson. Buy the good stuff or build your own with Neutrik connectors.

 

[Jeff Hughes]

The offbrand speakons are in my experience made of a softer plastic that flexes a little more. Get Neutrik speakon ends on any speakon cable. So much better.

A few years back I bought some cheap speakon ends and they were such junk.

 

[Crusher47]

OK I also see NL2, NL4, NL4FX , NL4FC, NL8, etc. Which number are you guys using and also, where are you buying the Neutrik cables ?
Thanks again

 

[agedhorse]

NL4-FC is the easiest to work with IMO.

it's possible for the jacks to get damaged from a knock-off Chinese plug, that's another possibility to consider.

 

[jnewmark]

Here's a place where you can custom order. Lots of places online where you can buy speaker cables; the important thing is to make sure they have genuine Neutrik Speakon connectors.

Custom HD Neutrik SpeakON Speaker Cable's – EarCandy.Com

 

[Crusher47]

Update: I went by my local (to me) GC and they had Livewire speakon cables with the real Neutrik connectors, plugged in in when I got home and it works perfectly. I also looked more closely at the "cheap" cable I was using and sure enough, it had the Neutrik connectors as well.

You guys are the best!!

 

[agedhorse]

Update: I went by my local (to me) GC and they had Livewire speakon cables with the real Neutrik connectors, plugged in in when I got home and it works perfectly. I also looked more closely at the "cheap" cable I was using and sure enough, it had the Neutrik connectors as well.

You guys are the best!!

Unfortunately, knock-off SpeakOn plugs have been a major source of trouble for all manufacturers of equipment.