i got a amp head that only does the speakon cables so i had to buy 2 speakon adapters because buying a speakon adapter and a short cable was cheaper than buying a speakon cable. the guy at the guitar shop said that the adapters cut into the sound and that the speakons sound better. is this true? should i invest in them? does it make worlds of difference or none at all?
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speakon cables:do they really make any difference
- Thread starter INTERNETKING
- Start date
Depends on how much power the amp head puts out. Speakons are a lot more secure and handle more current. 300 watts and under, you would be hard pressed to "hear" a difference from 1/4" plugs.
billfitzmaurice
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You won't hear any difference. But an adapter will allow inadvertent use of an instrument cable with it, and that could spell trouble. There are Speakon-1/4" cables that would eliminate that possibility.
yeah im running the adapters right now. its a 1200 watt head so it may or may not make a difference with that. what trouble could the adapters cause?
I thought the only difference with Speakons was they had the funny clip thing to prevent use of instrument cables?? I must have been wrong.
They have more surface contact area, and can carry higher current levels safely.
They also do not short out when being inserted/removed.
Contrary to popular opinion, I believe in buying really good quality speakon cable. I know that some on talkbass with PHD's in engineering reassure us that a twisted over coat hanger would sound just as good, but I am clinging to my mindless superstition anyway. Go by a real cable for $15 and then you won't have to worry about it!
For most people none. If you had the occation to really use all that wattage they may heat up a little (which also means loss of power to your speaker cab).
^ better yet, install a speakon in the speaker cab and eliminate the 1/4" bottle neck altogether?
billfitzmaurice
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That would be the best solution, but involves a degree of expertise that perhaps the OP doesn't possess, otherwise he'd probably have done so straight away.
To me, what is more important is the safety factor that they bring to the table. Under certain circumstances, the typical 1/4 inch metal sleeved phone plug can become "hot" when dislodging. With the output voltage that some of our amplifiers put out these days, this could be potentially more than a minor 'ouch'. Speakons separate and insulate both conductors and break contact before unlocking and lock before establishing contact. And they lock in place. If any of you have had a tech stumble over a speaker cable and dislodge the phone plug without realizing it, that first set can be a little trying... 
Kim
Kim
Hate to admit to some lazyness but I have a 215 cab with a long lead and a 1/4" plug that reaches my amps? I have the expertise
Just haven't bought a deep 1/4" jack to replace the broken one ( 'cause it works) 
Hate to admit to some lazyness but I have a 215 cab with a long lead and a 1/4" plug that reaches my amps? I have the expertise
Tsk tsk tsk Mr B. You KNOW this is going to break at the most inopportune moment!
Paul
Yes you are absolutely correct Paul
, but it usually doesn't leave the band room anymore. There it is just an extension cab for the keyboard. How's that for a procrastination excuse? 
honestly, i dig the speakons just because they lock into place, and i'd use speakons for all my connections if i could!
I've used Speakon's for so long I wouldn't even know what the difference is, I won't use anything else.
Bob Lee (QSC)
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Unlike 1/4" phone connectors, Speakon connectors are made to safely and reliably handle the current a powerful amp can deliver to a loudspeaker, as well as to lock in place.
Of course, you still need an adequate cable in between them. For short runs, a 16 AWG two-conductor stranded copper cable should work well for any application, and longer runs would benefit from larger gauges.
Of course, you still need an adequate cable in between them. For short runs, a 16 AWG two-conductor stranded copper cable should work well for any application, and longer runs would benefit from larger gauges.
