Shout-out to (or for) Speakons :)

[mhardy6647]

A couple-three of us A/V nerds at church (including our pastor, I might add) are redoing the sound system in the sanctuary. We installed new loudspeakers yesterday (no mean feat, but fortunately one of us had scaffolding at home, which he kindly went and got when we saw that working with ladders on this little project, about 14 feet up, had the potential of putting us a little too close to eternity... ).

I mention this only because, for the convenience of all involved, and given the connection options of both the loudspeakers and the amplifiers, we went with Speakons. Now, I knew of Speakons, but I'd never really worked with them before. I ordered a bunch of two-pole Speakon connectors from Markertek (my own preferred vendor for such stuff - not cheap but phenomenal service and support IME), figuring "how hard could it be?"

Well -- other than the fact that the precise assembly's arcane without RTFMing (so to speak), they are incredibly easy to install. They are also incredibly easy to use.
I am totally sold on these for PA/sound reinforcement applications! They're not even very expensive! Bonus!

 

[DSJR]

Audiophools as I was, won't accept these at all, as you can't put heavy speaker wires into them.

Someone I know, had a big Neurochrome amp imported, ripped the Speakons off and fitted 4mm posts so he could use his thick speaker wires and thirty odd years ago, I cursed a Quad 707 for having Speakon sockets on it. I'm hoping I've learned a bit since then...

 

[kyuu]

It's really too bad that SpeakOn connections are pretty much non-existent on consumer equipment. There doesn't seem to be any downside whatsoever to them compared to ye olde 5-way binding post.

 

[Blumlein 88]

I too have worked with them in church systems. I wish they were the defacto standard for all speakers. Just like I wished balanced connections (I prefer XLR over TRS) were for line level.

 

[JayGilb]

I have modified all of my speakers to use speakon connectors. No more binding posts for me.

 

[JoshK]

When I built my own speakers and amps, I exclusively used speakons. And btw, they do make a version of speakons that can carry thick gauge wires. I think they were intended for live music setting and I used those for my subs.

I just did a little search and found someone saying the same elsewhere,

"
The Speakon STX & SPX series will take a 10 gauge wire, the lugs
on the STX are solder terminals and not the set screw style. They also allow for a larger overall jacket on the cable."

Its been a very long while since I had to make any new connections, so I was rusty. But 10awg wire is as thick as any domestic use case really requires.

 

[amadeuswus]

Well -- other than the fact that the precise assembly's arcane without RTFMing (so to speak), they are incredibly easy to install. They are also incredibly easy to use.
I am totally sold on these for PA/sound reinforcement applications! They're not even very expensive! Bonus!

In the final step of assembly (according to the FM, which I did try to read!), can you "tighten the bushing" with just your hands, or do you really need the expensive Neutrik tools for the job? I came across a review suggesting that with the current FXX series, you can't use finger pressure to loosen the bushing. Not sure why, if true.

HTLACA

Hand tool for tightening the bushing of the powerCON TRUE1 TOP, FXX and speakON FXX series

www.neutrik.com

HTLACB

Hand tool for tightening the bushing of the powerCON TRUE1 TOP, FXX and speakON FXX series.

www.neutrik.com

 

[mhardy6647]

The ones I got call for no tools other than a small Torx driver or bit. Everything screws together by hand, with reassuring ratchet-y clicking.

 

[Doodski]

The ones I got call for no tools other than a small Torx driver or bit. Everything screws together by hand, with reassuring ratchet-y clicking.

What kind of expense was involved in the speakONs terminals.

 

[sergeauckland]

I like Speakons, but I do have two issues with them.

Firstly, by using Speakons, it makes it very difficult to put a 'scope on the loudspeaker outputs of an amplifier. This may not matter in normal use, but is a negative when servicing.

Secondly, Speakons are fine for one or two circuits, provided the cable isn't too thick, but gets very difficult when there are three circuits and the cable needs to be of a certain thickness. Given that Speakons are used mainly for 'Pro' use in PA, where cable lengths are rather longer than at home, cable diameters should be thicker, which makes the use of Speakons more difficult.


Overall, I prefer 4mm plugs, especially those with a hole in the side one can get a 'scope to, but the idea of Speakons for home use I think is a Good One. Much like the DIN loudspeaker connector, perfect for non-critical home use, but allowing thicker cables to be used. I think the main problem with Speakons is when there is more than a single circuit. OK just about for two, very difficult for three (i.e 6 wires).

S.

 

[mhardy6647]

What kind of expense was involved in the speakONs terminals.

About 5 bucks (USD) a pop for these... pre-tariff, that is.

 

[Miley_B]

In the final step of assembly (according to the FM, which I did try to read!), can you "tighten the bushing" with just your hands, or do you really need the expensive Neutrik tools for the job? I came across a review suggesting that with the current FXX series, you can't use finger pressure to loosen the bushing. Not sure why, if true.

HTLACA

Hand tool for tightening the bushing of the powerCON TRUE1 TOP, FXX and speakON FXX series

www.neutrik.com

HTLACB

Hand tool for tightening the bushing of the powerCON TRUE1 TOP, FXX and speakON FXX series.

www.neutrik.com

I like NL4 connectors.
The new design is harder to screw or unscrew the bushing, of course you could get the special Neutrik tool (I believe the factory liberally coat it in pixie dust) or you could use a spanner. I like it as it stops enthusiastic unskilled labourers dismantling my speaker connectors when I’m not looking.

Secondly, Speakons are fine for one or two circuits, provided the cable isn't too thick, but gets very difficult when there are three circuits and the cable needs to be of a certain thickness. Given that Speakons are used mainly for 'Pro' use in PA, where cable lengths are rather longer than at home, cable diameters should be thicker, which makes the use of Speakons more difficult.

The seal is much better so they are more suitable for outdoor use although I guess on the flip side once they get water in the connector it’s not going to drain out, this will possibly further affect the ability to access with probes.

Some of the models cater for up to 6mm copper so should be plenty thick enough for all normal uses.


For multiple circuits such as a hang of line array, which commonly may may require 30+ circuits, a larger multi pin connector such as a Socapex cable would be used to go from the amplifiers to the rear of the speakers where a breakout adapter would be used to split the Socapex into individual circuits. With modern PA speaker systems using more circuits at higher impedances, connectors such as Link LK-25 have become popular as they carry more circuits than the old Socapex designs.

For someone like myself some of the LK connectors get me quite excited, I’m not sure if the crazy looking 12 way fibre and 3 phase power connector is on their website though.

 

[Salt]

speakon for ... ehem ... speaker connection, powercon for ... ehem ... power connection and Neutrik XLR for interconnection ... PA standard, but, sorry sorry, no rhodium plating, so no good to use in audiophile environment

 

[win]

I think they've since updated the connectors, but a few years ago I bought both the 2 pole and 4 pole connectors. Each one has that ugly blue color, but one has it on the connector side and one has the blue on the cable sheath. I combined the two part non blue parts to create a dark gray on gray combo. They look great.

 

[Kal Rubinson]

Audiophools as I was, won't accept these at all, as you can't put heavy speaker wires into them.

How heavy is heavy? I run doubled Canare 4211 (11AWG) with NL2 SpeakOns.

 

[Count Arthur]

I've never used Seakons, but I have used Powercons:

I wanted a mains distribution box for the back of my desk, that was more compact than it would be with UK mains plugs and sockets, which are pretty bulky. Something like this:

The plugs were a little bit fiddly to wire up, much more so than a UK mains plug, but it turned out well.

 

[somebodyelse]

I wanted a mains distribution box for the back of my desk, that was more compact than it would be with UK mains plugs and sockets, which are pretty bulky.

I would have expected the more common IEC ones for that use, something like:

 

[Count Arthur]

I would have expected the more common IEC ones for that use, something like:

I wanted make my own switch box and I considered using IEC sockets and connectors, but they sometimes aren't a particularly secure fit.

Also, IEC sockets need a square hole, while Powecon sockets mount in a round hole. It's a lot quicker and easier to drill round holes in a metal panel than it is to cut out square holes.

 

[DSJR]

How heavy is heavy? I run doubled Canare 4211 (11AWG) with NL2 SpeakOns.

Apologhies sir, it was a very long time ago and I can't even remember if Quad supplied Speakon male plugs with the 707. I just remember finding them really fiddly when I installed them and these plugs only seemed fit for thinner gauge wires. I don't even think these plugs needed to be soldered up, and that may be usual as I've had no experience since personally and over thirty years have passed now.

Got to say that I was genuinely surprised at Benchmark's findings, but they've done the test and confirmed it. I was never happy with spade connectors either, as I found a tendency to loosen, maybe not though in the huge connectors the likes of Krell fit(ted) to their larger amps. A small speaker maker I know over these parts wants to use Speakons too, but fears resistance from less-educated dealers (meaning most of them in the UK sadly!).

 

[Kal Rubinson]

Apologhies sir, it was a very long time ago and I can't even remember if Quad supplied Speakon male plugs with the 707. I just remember finding them really fiddly when I installed them and these plugs only seemed fit for thinner gauge wires. I don't even think these plugs needed to be soldered up, and that may be usual as I've had no experience since personally and over thirty years have passed now.

You can solder the connections in a SpeakOn or use a screw-pressure clamping, as suits.

A small speaker maker I know over these parts wants to use Speakons too, but fears resistance from less-educated dealers (meaning most of them in the UK sadly!).

Understood. I use them with my Benchmarks and, also, with a Lyngdorf amp that I am now assessing.