Speaker jacks

[Happy Face]

I'd like to keep using the old 2x12" cab I put modern speakers into. It only has a phono input.

But two of my amps only have speakon outputs. Some folks swear that you need 'em for high power amps but a couple sound guys I know say they are just an unnecessary PITA.

I have converter jacks but was pondering putting in a speakon input into the old cab.

Question for wiser folks: outside of the locking aspect, what's the difference between putting in a speakon input and using a converter jack? Is the wiring off of the backside of the speakon input jack any different than that on a phono jack?

Hope I'm being clear with my question.

Thanks!

[dadagoboi]

Is the wiring off of the backside of the speakon input jack any different than that on a phono jack?

No.   Speakons are 4 pole for biamping, just use 1 and 2 IIRC.

You can get locking phone jacks if you like that feature.  They have a release tab that's easier to use than the twist off speakon IMO. 

[Granny Gremlin]

+1: Speakon is more chunky, more annoying, and more expensive. 

[gearHed289]

I think all cabs should have a 1/4'' jack on them. Speakon - fine. But if you're in a bad situation, you're going to have a much easier time finding someone with a spare 1/4'' to 1/4'' than a Speakon of any kind. My custom built cab has a locking 1/4'', and a Speakon.

[Pilgrim]

I think all cabs should have a 1/4'' jack on them. Speakon - fine. But if you're in a bad situation, you're going to have a much easier time finding someone with a spare 1/4'' to 1/4'' than a Speakon of any kind. My custom built cab has a locking 1/4'', and a Speakon.

I agree. My Genz cabs are speakon but my backup cables are all 1/4", so I carry a couple of speakon>1/4" adapters just in case.

[drbassman]

I hate Speakons.  Does that help?   

[Basvarken]

I like speakons.
They are more secure than the wobbly connection of a jack.
Especially when it comes to transferring the hundreds of Watts from a tube amp to a cab, you don't want to take any chances.

I don't see what's so difficult about the slide and twist of a speakon connection. 

[Aussie Mark]

How about the best of both worlds?

http://www.neutrik.com/en/speakon/speakon-chassis-connectors/speakon-combo/

[Highlander]

I can't get at the cab at present as it's buried in the packing boxes but I used XLR's on mine, but in a different fashion...
As I had a pair of new 75w speakers and a pair of '69 Celestions that still (just about) worked in my 4x12 I wired one XLR for each pair, plus a third with all of them, noting the different ohmage values for each input...

Cut an image from one I had on file...

[Happy Face]

How about the best of both worlds?

http://www.neutrik.com/en/speakon/speakon-chassis-connectors/speakon-combo/

Thanks everyone. Maybe our Antipodean friend has the best solution? I know that adapters love to pick up and hide themselves in the bottom of my gear bag or in a pocket where totally unrelated gizmos hang out.   

[the mojo hobo]

I wonder why they didn't design Speakon jacks like that from the outset.

[dadagoboi]

I wonder why they didn't design Speakon jacks like that from the outset.

I thought they were when I first saw them.  Very disappointed when I tried to stick in a phone plug!

[gearHed289]

How about the best of both worlds?

http://www.neutrik.com/en/speakon/speakon-chassis-connectors/speakon-combo/

Forgot about those. Yeah, perfect!

[Pilgrim]

See my earlier post.



$10 each.

[FrankieTbird]

I have had 1/4" plugs blown right out of the jack in the speaker cab from the sound pressure waves.   I'm sure others have also.  Not the best thing for a tube amp.  Don't have much experience with Speakons so nothing to add there.