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Speakon Cables - Opinions / Recommendations?

noagreement

noagreement

Oct 12, 2006
197
239
Yo Philly!
#1
I couldn't find much past discussion on speakon cable recommendations. I've been using 1/4" speaker cables for many years with a simple rig setup - Aguilar AG500SC and two (2) GS112 cabinets.

Anyway, the set-up has been acting up a once in a while with the amp going into protection mode (apparently from extreme temps.). I figured that it may be time to make the switch to speakon connectors since a few people (including Aguilar) indicated that the cables might be the problem with the amp cutting out.

Given that I seem to use stuff for years without changing (low GAS drive I guess), I was hoping the community might have some favorite cable recommendations. I would rather spend some $$ and get a set of cables that will be useful for years without problems.

Also - anyone ever notice better sound from Speakon cables?

Thanks!!
 
#2
Any Speakon with official Neutrik connectors will be fine. Don't bother with anything else. It's all about the connector.

Which reminds me of the best cable deal I ever got. A few years ago Rotosound made cables, and their Speakon cables were fantastic...and very expensive. I guess they got out of that business and Amazon was blowing out the 50 foot Rotosound Speakon cables for $15, which were normally around $100. So I bought one of those and a bunch of Neutrik connectors, cut up the cables and I've got a lifetime supply of Speakon cables for and spent like $50 bucks :)
 
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#3
agedhorse said:
My go to recommendation: NL213GA | NL4 Speakon equipped 13/2 Speaker Cable (though 5' is the shortest stocked)
Click to expand...

This guy's an engineer at Mesa Boogie, and formerly at Genz Benz, so I'd guess he knows what he's talking about.

But as mmbongo said, making speakon cables is really easy



There are others on youtube as well, and you can get the parts all over the internet

Redco Audio - Audio/Video Supplies and Accessories, Custom Cables and Panels, and more

Welcome to TubeDepot.com!

to suggest a few
 
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#4
By all means, try a good quality Speakon cable. It's the simplest test that may resolve the issue.

Since it used to work but doesn't now, it's possible that the jacks in your amp and/or speaker cabinets need cleaning with Deoxit. A buildup of oxidation on the contacts can affect the quality of the connection and the performance of the amp.
 
Last edited:
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#5
If both the head and cab have Speakon jacks, might as well use Speakon cables. Then pity the rest of us who still use some heads and cabs that are only 1/4". I have 1/4" to 1/4" cables, 1/4" to Speakon cables and Speakon to Speakon cables depnding on what gear I am trying to use. Total PITA.

Yes, I could modify the 1/4" only gear to have Speakons instead but in some cases that's not practical, like my Walter Woods head...there's simply no room to install the jack.
 
#9
Sound quality changes? Maybe to a golden-eared cork sniffer. Current/voltage transfer quality changes and safety increases? Yes, very much.
Like mentioned above, just get real Neutricks and some 12 or 14 gauge stranded cable.
I live by using Speakons everywhere they are present and installing Speakons where ever 1/4" jacks are present. The only exception is banana connectors, which are fine.
 
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#11
I get my ends from my local electronics supply shop. Since the shop is located in the industrial area I hit up the electrical shop a block away. I use 14/4 AWG communications cable. (I make 4 conductor bi-amp capable Speakon cables but there are 2-conductor options) Since an industrial electrical shop could care less about a foot or two of cable I either get the cable for free or for a buck, it depends who is working. All you need is a screwdriver and some wire cutters to make speakon cables, it is really easy.
 
#12
I've been using Speakons for years. Along with the heaviest gauge wire I can use - typically #12. I read a white paper from Peavey Years ago about attenuation and I read everything I could find on Speakons. A speakon-equipped cable with heavy gauge wire seems to be the best way to go. I usually buy #12 SJ cable in bulk and the ends and make my own. I think every amp should have two combo Speakon/1/4" plugs.
 
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#16
agedhorse said:
If your amp is going into overtemp protection, it's definitely NOT the speaker cables. But, SpeakOn cables are still a good idea.
Click to expand...

Hmmm - tell me more. Not really sure if it is from high temps, although that seems to be the only constant factor. Aguilar also indicated it is probably not a heat issue given the large heat sink in the amp, and suggested trying all cable connections and then of course sending to them for evaluation / repair (which I will eventually do). But I used the amp for the last two weekends at indoor bar gigs and the amp worked like a champ both nights (of course), and it was pushed fairly hard as well each night.

Figured the old speaker cables were a good low $$ place to start.
 
#17
agedhorse said:
If your amp is going into overtemp protection, it's definitely NOT the speaker cables. But, SpeakOn cables are still a good idea.
Click to expand...

I'm with the Horse on this one. I have doubts that it would be the cable.

As for Speakon cables, my personal preference is ProCo. I got a bunch back when I worked for Daddys and they never failed me. They are Made in the USA too.
 
#18
noagreement said:
Hmmm - tell me more. Not really sure if it is from high temps, although that seems to be the only constant factor. Aguilar also indicated it is probably not a heat issue given the large heat sink in the amp, and suggested trying all cable connections and then of course sending to them for evaluation / repair (which I will eventually do). But I used the amp for the last two weekends at indoor bar gigs and the amp worked like a champ both nights (of course), and it was pushed fairly hard as well each night.

Figured the old speaker cables were a good low $$ place to start.
Click to expand...

If you suspect that the cables might be A problem (not necessarily THE problem) then an inspection by a tech might uncover things that an ordinary person wouldn't see.

A thermal problem isn't going to be due to a speaker cable, but an over current fault could be due to a short in the cable or more likely at the wire terminations inside the connector.

Identifying the correct fault might help point you in the right solution direction.
 
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