Speakon connectors

[PeteJ]

I'm probably about 25 years behind the times, but what's with the new speakon connectors on the back of some amps? I recently purchased a Laney Richter R500H and tried to plug an ordinary speaker cable into it and it was tight as f@@@ and didn't go all the way in; the end result - no sound came out the speaker cab! When I checked the manual, it says the amp has a speakon connector...

Pete

[Cuzzie]

Speakon is a better method - get some connectors, cut the jack off, garden secateurs are best for a clean cut, isolate the wires, hook it up, job done

5 min job

 

[lemmywinks]

You can get combo jacks where the centre hole on the Speakon will accept a 1/4" jack, they are labelled as such on the front of the connector. As said above you can adaptexisting cables or buy adapters like this:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Neutrik-NA4LJX-Speakon-to-1-4-Jack-Adaptor-4-Pole-Speakon-to-Jack-Socket-PRO/281995789398?hash=item41a8424456:g:jKEAAOSwM91acFSB

 

Speakons aren't new and are rightfully the standard on bass amps, they are much better although I do wish manufacturers would either all agree on this or just use the combo jacks.

[PeteJ]

The thing is, the Ashdown head I bought recently has the same type of socket, but a standard speaker connector fits in there OK. Maybe the Laney one just needs, erm, breaking in...

[obbm]

10 minutes ago, PeteJ said:

The thing is, the Ashdown head I bought recently has the same type of socket, but a standard speaker connector fits in there OK. Maybe the Laney one just needs, erm, breaking in...

Not necessarily.  There are 2 types of Neutrik Speakon socket.  The combo type is a green colour and 2-pole only whereas the regular type is black or grey and can be 2-pole or 4-pole.  What colour is the Speakon on the Laney? 

You should also be aware that the plugs come in 2 types - 2-pole and 4-pole. 

The 2-pole plugs fit the 2-pole and 4-pole sockets. 

The 4-pole plugs only fit the 4-pole sockets

so if buying plugs be careful to get the correct type.

Edited January 23, 2021 by obbm

[PeteJ]

15 minutes ago, obbm said:

What colour is the Speakon on the Laney?

It's black.

[obbm]

7 minutes ago, PeteJ said:

It's black.

Then it is not a combo socket so you need Speakon plug to go in it.

[Downunderwonder]

The other thing to watch for is the nasty cheap knockoff connectors you get on a lot of 'bargain' cables break off in the amp or cab causing major damage as they go.

With any luck you haven't munted your amp speakon but be sure to use genuine Neutrik SpeakonTM plugs and don't force anything.

[PeteJ]

Thanks for the info, I will get a new cable for it.

[Dan Dare]

As others suggest, make sure the cable you get uses a genuine actual Speakon connector and not a copy. I've had issues with copies being a tight/poor fit.