Loudspeaker connections - SpeakON vs 1/4 Jack

[Someone7272]

Hey,

I'm getting a new amp... probably gonna be another Skytronic one.
It has 1/4 Jask AKA Guitar lead or 6.35mm Jack outputs which is what I primarily bought the amp for.
It also has SpeakON outputs. I can get a simple adaptor to make it a 1/4 Jack for my speakers but which connector is more reliable... or better?
The amp also has binding posts but I have abolutely no intentions on using them except for testing speakers.
Yes the speakers I built recently ONLY have 1/4 Jack inputs.
So what are the Pros and Cons of SpeakON and Jack outputs?
Oh, and if you want to see any pics of my kit, just ask

[chris661]

speakon is by far better. I've seen them rated at 70A, which is way more than a jack can claim. They're resistant to being pulled out - you push them in, then twist, effectively locking them.

Jack plugs are convenient. You push it in, and off you go. And they're cheap.

[Someone7272]

Originally Posted by chris661

speakon is by far better. I've seen them rated at 70A, which is way more than a jack can claim. They're resistant to being pulled out - you push them in, then twist, effectively locking them.

Jack plugs are convenient. You push it in, and off you go. And they're cheap.

Thanks thought a locking type plug would be better. Not that much harder than plugging jacks. Apparently jacks short when they get plugged in too.
Not entirely sure why I'd need it rated at 70A though, mine are rated at 20A and that gives me lots of headroom as it is.

[chris661]

Yeah, they short briefly. Not a problem if you plug the speaker in, then the amp in. It's when both the negative and the + go past the negative connection in the socket. Because, on the plug, they're not far apart, they both touch the contact. Can be dangerous for amps...
Neutrik sell the really high power stuff. Serious current available.
70A would be just under 20,000 watts into 4ohm. Serious power.

Chris

[Someone7272]

Originally Posted by chris661

Yeah, they short briefly. Not a problem if you plug the speaker in, then the amp in. It's when both the negative and the + go past the negative connection in the socket. Because, on the plug, they're not far apart, they both touch the contact. Can be dangerous for amps...
Neutrik sell the really high power stuff. Serious current available.
70A would be just under 20,000 watts into 4ohm. Serious power.

Chris

So basically only plug Jacks when the amplifier is off?
Also what's the risk of using musical instrument cable to connect speaker cabinets to my amplifier? Or what could happen?
Other thing I noticed is each SpeakON socket has 4 contacts. I would have thought they'd only need two. (+ & -)
20,000 watts would fry all the speakers I've got put together, don't see any need for 20,000 watts of power unless you wanna cause an earthquake Or you're trying to fill a football stadium or something. Never actually seen an amplifier capable of that current either.

[Matt.B.H.]

Neutrik also do a speakon type connector that can take a 1/4 inch jack in the middle. I have a studio power amp made by OHM UK that has them. Best of both.

[chris661]

Yeah, using them when the amplifier is off is definitely safest.

Matt, I've seen a couple of amps like that. Neat solution. Good for diy-ers, as it means fewer cutouts and soldering and stuff.