-

[Jus Lukin]

-

Edited February 19, 2022 by Jus Lukin

[Jack]

There's probably nothing in it in terms of the signal at those power levels, but your safety and convenience points are just as valid at any power level. Friends don't let friends use jacks.

[alexclaber]

1/4" jacks are fine with those current levels but the lack of locking and the shorting when they're inserted or removed can be worrying with some amps (particularly class-D ones if they aren't well protected).

[Dad3353]

Looked up the spec on the Neutrik site...

[url="http://www.neutrik-france.com/produits.html?url=/en/audio/plugs-and-jacks/c-series/"]Neutrik...[/url]

It would appear that jacks are rated at 50v/3A (150 W..?), speakons are 250v/30A (7.5KW..?).

For all practical purposes, for your rig, there's no big deal, but speakons can handle far more than jacks.

Edited November 5, 2013 by Dad3353

[LukeFRC]

speakons are cooler, and blue and go click.

Much better

[Lozz196]

[quote name='LukeFRC' timestamp='1383672613' post='2267465']
speakons are cooler, and blue and go click.

Much better
[/quote]

The main selling points

For me I just like the fact that they are secured in the cab/amp, and are unlikely to get unplugged by a clumsy-fool.

[flyfisher]

Yep, plus that fact that you'll never end up with using an instrument lead by mistake.

But if the space behind the cab is a big issue (which I can understand in some instances, especially with thick speaker cable) then how about using a right-angle speakon? Best of both worlds.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/NL-4FRX-Right-Angle-Speakon-Plug-346550/dp/B002BETSYW

Edited November 5, 2013 by flyfisher

[JTUK]

Who would want to pull a speaker jack out whilst under power?

[paul_5]

[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1383685430' post='2267753']
Who would want to pull a speaker jack out whilst under power?
[/quote]

guitarists?

[subrob]

[quote name='paul_5' timestamp='1383685634' post='2267757']


guitarists?
[/quote]

Drummers.

[Dad3353]

[quote name='subrob' timestamp='1383721907' post='2268049']
Drummers.
[/quote]



...

[Marc S]

[quote name='paul_5' timestamp='1383685634' post='2267757']
guitarists?
[/quote]

No, everyone except bassists!

[Alec]

[quote name='flyfisher' timestamp='1383673101' post='2267488']
Yep, plus that fact that you'll never end up with using an instrument lead by mistake.
[/quote]

Quite - I still remember the git who borrowed my rig and managed to plug the speaker out into the wireless receiver input, and then thrashed it. Result, one dead wireless unit...

Jacks will work, will sound just find, but are ultimately not the right tool for the job.

[chris_b]

The type of lead and the space required for it is irrelevant.

The Markbass NY121 is rear ported so you have to leave 6" for the port to work anyway.

[Jus Lukin]

-

Edited February 19, 2022 by Jus Lukin

[chris_b]

[quote name='Jus Lukin' timestamp='1384080643' post='2272458']
....And if there isn't that much room I just turn down the gig and get a proper job?....
[/quote]

My point was that if you put your cab against the wall you cut a lot of the bass out of your sound. That seemed to me to be more of a problem than worrying about which jack is best.

I've had the "rear port on mini stages" problem for years. I just bough a new cab which is ported at the front to try to sort that one out. And I'm still going to keep using my speakon leads.

[Mottlefeeder]

The problem may be more to do with European Directives about safety than about the electrical limits of the plug and socket.

Exposed live terminals with more than 50v on them are a shock risk, and if you are hot and sweaty, the shock will be worse. It will not kill you, but could cause you to fall off stage, etc. Speakons are designed so that you cannot accidentally touch the live connection - jacks are not.

Back in the day, some amps used XLRs to connect the speakers, and mains XLRs for the 240v supply. The clearance between terminals and metal shell does not meet current safety standards, so mains XLRs have gone, and XLR are limited to lower voltages.

David