Speak On, Twist Off

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Ausumm

Ausumm

Gold Plated Productions
Oct 21, 2008
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Bethlehem PA
I recently went out and bought some (much needed) new speaker cables.
14 gauge 50-footers with Speakon connectors.....kinda like this:

Audio_4_Pole_Male_Speakon_Speaker_Cable.jpg

Only problem is, when I try to remove them from the amp (turning counter clockwise) The blue hex "nut" on the plug turns BEFORE the black insert that is inside the amp. I am unscrewing the blue locking not, rather than turning the insert, so I cannot remove the plug. A friend suggested a dab of crazy glue to LOCK the blue nut. Anyone else encounter a stupid little annoying problem such as this?
 
The hex nut ones are cheaper Chinese clones. Neutrik ones are knurled. You should be able to pull the tab back and turn the black portion in front of the blue part.

If the cables are good, I would pick up a couple of Neutrik NL4FX connectors (they're less than $5 each .. http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?partnumber=092-190 ) and replace them. the wires are merely screwed in inside.
 
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I must be the only DJ on the planet that uses 1/4" plugs.

The output from the computer is unbalanced (unless you have a $3000 DAC). Seems a waste of money to me, and it takes more time to connect them.
 
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Balanced or not, 1/4" plugs for post-amp use are a clear second choice. 1/4" connectors can short when (dis)connected, have limited contact area, were not designed for high power applications, and do not typically have any protection from being removed. Speakon solves all those issues.
 
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SoftJock Rick said:
I must be the only DJ on the planet that uses 1/4" plugs. Seems a waste of money to me, and it takes more time to connect them.
Click to expand...

Actually, these cables are 1/4" on the speaker end.
The amp has Speakon connectors, which makes for a better connection.
When you're buying 50-foot cables, the price difference between Speakon and 1/4 on ONE end is trivial.
 
steve149 said:
The hex nut ones are cheaper Chinese clones. Neutrik ones are knurled. You should be able to pull the tab back and turn the black portion in front of the blue part.

If the cables are good, I would pick up a couple of Neutrik NL4FX connectors (they're less than $5 each .. http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?partnumber=092-190 ) and replace them. the wires are merely screwed in inside.
Click to expand...

The black part in front is much smaller than the blue nut, and since it's pressed against the amp....it's really tough.
As for the Neutrik's...they're a great idea. But I notice the ones you linked to are FOUR poles.
Is there a difference?
 
Ausumm said:
The black part in front is much smaller than the blue nut, and since it's pressed against the amp....it's really tough.
As for the Neutrik's...they're a great idea. But I notice the ones you linked to are FOUR poles.
Is there a difference?
Click to expand...
Try pushing in before twisting. The four poles have many uses. They can be used for a cabinet that is Bi Amped so two different sources can come in. Some components also may be separately powered from different amps hence the four poles.
 
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soundinmotiondj said:
Balanced or not, 1/4" plugs for post-amp use are a clear second choice. 1/4" connectors can short when (dis)connected, have limited contact area, were not designed for high power applications, and do not typically have any protection from being removed. Speakon solves all those issues.
Click to expand...


Gee, now you have me wondering what The Beatles, Stones, Led Zep used... Wonder what Deep Purple used when recording Smoke on the Water...? o_O

I don't own an amp that has Speakon outputs -- wouldn't buy one.
 
Mike, hate to say this but those connectors look exactly like the ones on the el-cheapo cables I bought earlier this year. They lasted a few months then broke. For speak-on connectors, I'd really suggest you go with the neutrik units or at the very least, make certain you have some backup cables.
 
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SoftJock Rick said:
Gee, now you have me wondering what The Beatles, Stones, Led Zep used... Wonder what Deep Purple used when recording Smoke on the Water...? o_O
Click to expand...

They used what was "standard" for the day. It's a new day, with new standards. I bet they didn't use A/D and D/A converters either...doesn't mean those aren't good to have around.

SoftJock Rick said:
I don't own an amp that has Speakon outputs -- wouldn't buy one.
Click to expand...

The list of things you wouldn't buy probably covers most of the gear that is being used by people on this board. If you think 1/4" are superior (or even "just sufficient") you're free to give your reasons.

I bought most of my gear used. That included Peavey CS amps when I was starting. I actually made up a junction box that connected to the binding posts and had speakon connections in the box...that junction box lived in the amp rack. I also converted all my speaker cabinets from 1/4" to speakon. All that to avoid 1/4" plugs for high voltage cables.
 
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ahoustondj said:
Try pushing in before twisting. The four poles have many uses. They can be used for a cabinet that is Bi Amped so two different sources can come in. Some components also may be separately powered from different amps hence the four poles.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I've fiddled with them a lot. It's just takes a lot of patience. (which I don't HAVE when I am breaking down)
I am familiar with using the 4 poles when we do live sound...
I just wondered if I could use them for two wire speaker cable, or if they sold 2-pole connectors specifically for speakers.
 
SoftJock Rick said:
Gee, now you have me wondering what The Beatles, Stones, Led Zep used... Wonder what Deep Purple used when recording Smoke on the Water...?
Click to expand...
They also did NOT have computers. yet YOU still use one!

SoftJock Rick said:
I don't own an amp that has Speakon outputs -- wouldn't buy one.
Click to expand...
Then you have nothing valuable to contribute to this thread.
 
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soundinmotiondj said:
They used what was "standard" for the day. It's a new day, with new standards. I bet they didn't use A/D and D/A converters either...doesn't mean those aren't good to have around.



The list of things you wouldn't buy probably covers most of the gear that is being used by people on this board. If you think 1/4" are superior (or even "just sufficient") you're free to give your reasons.
Click to expand...


Probably correct. I use tube amps at home.

If someone asks me to do a gig, I expect them to supply everything except my lappy and myself. Somewhat arrogant on my part, but I'm getting old, and don't want to carry gear any more. My knees and lower legs are shot now, and I'm pretty sure that carrying 75 pound speakers up and down stairs contributed greatly to the current sitrep.

I just plug in the HRT async DAC, and I'm good to go :)
 
rickryan.com said:
Mike, hate to say this but those connectors look exactly like the ones on the el-cheapo cables I bought earlier this year. They lasted a few months then broke. For speak-on connectors, I'd really suggest you go with the neutrik units or at the very least, make certain you have some backup cables.
Click to expand...

I still have the old cables, as well as the backups...so I am covered.
What part broke on you...the connectors?
I am seriously considering Steve's suggestion of replacing the connectors with Neutriks...the rest of the cable seems okay.
 
Ausumm said:
Yeah, I've fiddled with them a lot. It's just takes a lot of patience. (which I don't HAVE when I am breaking down)
I am familiar with using the 4 poles when we do live sound...
I just wondered if I could use them for two wire speaker cable, or if they sold 2-pole connectors specifically for speakers.
Click to expand...
Don't you have those amps in a rack? Roll the cables and leave them inside the rack attached to the Amps, that is what I do. Properly rolled they don't take up much space!
 
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Ausumm said:
I still have the old cables, as well as the backups...so I am covered.
What part broke on you...the connectors?
I am seriously considering Steve's suggestion of replacing the connectors with Neutriks...the rest of the cable seems okay.
Click to expand...

The cables broke loose from the connector. When I opened it up, and saw what crap wire and crap connector it was, I ponied up for better cables.
 
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Ausumm said:
I still have the old cables, as well as the backups...so I am covered.
What part broke on you...the connectors?
I am seriously considering Steve's suggestion of replacing the connectors with Neutriks...the rest of the cable seems okay.
Click to expand...
Make sure you don't cold solder them 'cause when they heat up you will have a short!
 
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I used Speakon for a very short period of time went Neutrix after that and back to 1/4 to Banana. Neutrix is much better than Speakon and more durable but for durability they still don't match up with the 1/4 or Banana
 
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That is why I like my Racks. The cables stay in attached to the amps and only the speaker ends come out. I use 1/4' to the speakers because all the cabinets panels are wired that way and there is no room to redesign them. At high powered volumes for high power amps it is necessary but for most Wedding DJs and their gear it really does not matter even if they use 16Ga cable.
 
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