Speakon cable

[Craigster]

What's best cable to use to power cab from amp? 

Standard 1/4 double ended jack, or jack to speakon? 

[warwickhunt]

Speakon is the better connector but it is as much about the cable.  

[abarson]

Speakon is unquestionably superior to 1/4" jacks.

Make sure your cable is built with genuine Neutrik Speakon connectors. There are plenty of reports of cheap knockoffs becoming lodged in the sockets or otherwise failing.

[Craigster]

Thanks guys, 👍

[BassmanPaul]

The standard 1/4" phone plug was originally developed for telephone switchboards. in that service they were rated at 48V DC at a couple of hundred milliamps. Using them for a guitar cable is fine. as a speaker cable not so much especially as amplifier power has grown. Up to a couple of hundred watts they are adequate but have problems shorting the amp if withdrawn accidentally from the amplifier.

SpeakOn cables are superior in every way. Typically they are wired +1 >>> +1 and -1 >>> -1.

For Bridge mode they are wired at the amp end +1 >>> +1 at the cabinet. Amp end +2 >>> -1 at the cabinet.

 

[Killed_by_Death]

23 minutes ago, BassmanPaul said:

Using them for a guitar cable is fine.

How about for a bass?

😀

[obbm]

1 hour ago, BassmanPaul said:

 

For Bridge mode they are wired at the amp end +1 >>> +1 at the cabinet. Amp end +2 >>> -1 at the cabinet.

 

I think you'll find that it's 1+ and 2+ at the amp end and normal 1+ and 1- at the cabinet.

 

[BassAdder60]

For speaker use they are carrying more current.

You will find modern amps especially higher wattage heads use Speakon as it’s safer 

I use mine with 2.5mm cable and Neutrik connectors 

[Merton]

Also worth reiterating (because you’d be surprised how many people do this...) a “standard” Jack-Jack guitar cable is NOT the same as a Jack-Jack speaker cable. Do not use an instrument cable for a speaker connection.

[BassAdder60]

2 hours ago, Merton said:

Also worth reiterating (because you’d be surprised how many people do this...) a “standard” Jack-Jack guitar cable is NOT the same as a Jack-Jack speaker cable. Do not use an instrument cable for a speaker connection.

Very good advice 

[BassmanPaul]

19 hours ago, Killed_by_Death said:

How about for a bass?

😀

Don't be naughty! LOL

[BassmanPaul]

18 hours ago, obbm said:

I think you'll find that it's 1+ and 2+ at the amp end and normal 1+ and 1- at the cabinet.

 

That's what I wrote.

[Killed_by_Death]

11 hours ago, Merton said:

a “standard” Jack-Jack guitar cable is NOT the same as a Jack-Jack speaker cable. Do not use an instrument cable for a speaker connection.

Thanks for following up with 'Instrument Cable'.

Guitar-Players are constantly calling them 'guitar cables' & it's irrational, but it gets on my tits.