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Speakon cables, Which one..??


bubinga5

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Neutrix NL4FX is the typical cable connector on both ends when connecting amps to speakers.

There are a LOT of fake Neutrik clones around which aren't made to the same standards as the legit ones. Had a quick search on Amazon for NL4 and almost all the results are clones.

 

Edited by TwoTimesBass
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16 hours ago, BassBunny said:

You can use NL2 plugs as well. The NL4 is a 4 pole plug, generally used in bi-amp situations. The NL2 is a 2 pole and will work fine.

Genuine Neutrik is the way to go and if you need a custom length Award Session are great.

I seem to remember that NL4 and NL2's aren't interchangeable with each other, one won't plug into another's socket, well I had trouble once when I ordered the wrong plug

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5 hours ago, PaulWarning said:

I seem to remember that NL4 and NL2's aren't interchangeable with each other, one won't plug into another's socket, well I had trouble once when I ordered the wrong plug

Must admit I've never had a problem with interchanging them but I've only ever used genuine Neutrik ones. The only difference is one is 2 pole and the other 4 pole, they should be physically the same size.

That said unless you have a Gallien Kruger bi-amp head, you only need 2 pole.

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The cheap, knock off Speakons are getting a nasty reputation of getting stuck in sockets and only being able to be removed with brute force and ignorance (with a 50/50 chance of knackering the socket on the way out). Much Talkbass and Facebook chatter on this. I’d only ever use kosher Neutrik ones - anything else is the definition of a false economy. My Cleartone speaker cables have given me well over a dozen years of uncomplaining, reliable service.

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9 minutes ago, BassBunny said:

Must admit I've never had a problem with interchanging them but I've only ever used genuine Neutrik ones. The only difference is one is 2 pole and the other 4 pole, they should be physically the same size.

That said unless you have a Gallien Kruger bi-amp head, you only need 2 pole.

A 2 pole plug will go into a 4 pole socket but not the other way round. A 4 pole plug will NOT fit a 2 pole socket.

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29 minutes ago, Chienmortbb said:

A 2 pole plug will go into a 4 pole socket but not the other way round. A 4 pole plug will NOT fit a 2 pole socket.

You are right, my bad. I think most kit I have come across has 4 pole sockets fitted as standard, in fact do they make a 2 pole?

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6 minutes ago, BassBunny said:

You are right, my bad. I think most kit I have come across has 4 pole sockets fitted as standard, in fact do they make a 2 pole?

I remember now, I bought a 2 pole replacement socket for a PA speaker and our speaker cable had 4 pole plugs, confused the hell out of me when they wouldn't plug in and twist

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I dunno, I prefer 1/4" connectors. No one walks behind my amp that can accidentally kick a speaker cable, it's only 2 feet long, doesn't hang. My amps are 500w or under, not really high powered.

I too had a knockoff speakon stick in my amp. I have remade it with genuine Neutrik speakon but I rarely use it.In 41 years I have never had, or heard about , a speaker cable come out during a gig, never, ever.

Speakons were made for high wattage touring PA setups, not for me with my 200w Elf , which, btw, doesn't have speakon sockets for obvious reasons.

 

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Speakon cables are simple to make. Just make sure you buy genuine Neutrik Speakons (cheap copies don't always fit well and can jam) and decent cable - Van Damme or similar. Get at least 2.5mm for all but low power applications. No soldering required. Just cut the cable strip to the correct length (the Speakon packet has a diagram to guide you) and screw them in. Takes 5 mins tops. You only need two pole 99% of the time.

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