Speakon Connectors for Hi-Fi

[dmfraser66]

I am designing a line of new tube and MOSFET power amplifiers for both the pro and home markets. We are having issues with finding suitable binding posts as Europe requires we use no-touch types.

My question is whether the home market for high end gear is OK with Speakon connectors or whether they would consider them an unnecessary complication? I assume we need to supply one set of the inline connectors with them. Do you feel this is a correct assumption?

Adding them will likely result in about a $50 bump in the end user price. Do you kind folks feel that is acceptable?

Thanks for your thoughts.

 

[mrshow4u]

Complication??? They are the way to go, in my opinion. I think they're rated at 40A per contact.

 

[AndrewT]

you could use the 4pole versions.
parallel two sets of poles to reduce peak current across the connection.

 

[JonSnell Electronic]

All commercial PA companies use them as they are the standard. Ideal for HIFI as the power the contacts take is a lot and they are neat and tidy.
I use 8 pole connectors on my Rig with 8 core 10mm cable feeding them. Excellent and no power loss through bad connections.

 

[cabirio]

Yes please. The only drawback I can see in the mass market is having to fit the plugs to the cables. Not a problem for us diyers or anyone buying in a shop where they can provide the service, bit many people buy online and having to find someone that will do it for you may put them off. I think it's the future and someone has to be first. Kudos if you go for it.

Cheers,

Cabirio

 

[kevinkr]

Look at it as a potential opportunity to sell bespoke speaker cables for your amplifiers with appropriate speaker connectors on the LS end. Leave no profitable stone unturned...

It has got to be the most reliable and well designed speaker connector within reason out there, and anyone other than the toyboy audiophile contingent (probably all of your high end market unfortunately) would recognize this.

Worst case consider chassis work that allows different output connector assemblies to bolt right in - added cost but possibly worthwhile. Simple as a chassis cut out and punched plates specific to the connector used.

 

[cabirio]

Yes please. The only drawback I can see in the mass market is having to fit the plugs to the cables. Not a problem for us diyers or anyone buying in a shop where they can provide the service, bit many people buy online and having to find someone that will do it for you may put them off. I think it's the future and someone has to be first. Kudos if you go for it.

Cheers,

Cabirio

Sorry, I overlooked the "high end market" part. Not much of a problem in that case, I don't think many people in that market segment will see having to fit the plugs as a problem. On the other hand there was a recent thread where someone asked about making cables and mentioned a few pro brands in a way that sounded like that was a bad thing... I know it's ludicrous but suspect that some people have that perception, that the stuff used in recording studios to connect 5-6 figure-priced equipment is somehow inferior to "proper" hi-fi brands... I don't know if Neutrik has gold plated versions of Speakons (I know they do of XLRs) but if they do, that's what I'd provide, even if it increases the price even more. Seriously.

Also, I believe Cliff (UK) does make binding posts which are EU-regs compliant, have you looked into those?

Cheers,

Cabirio

 

[Willi Studer]

Depending on the price level, adding Speakon binding posts to the home range may actually reduce your competitiveness towards the end user (source: editor at hi-fi media). Remember, you are planning a market positioning and the advice you get here, although highly qualified, are from the DIY prospective. Why cannot you use screw-down binding posts sealed in plastic like other manufacturers?
On the cost side, quality Neutrik 2C speakons can be supplied for under 2 USD per piece, so I cannot see how would that make a 50 USD price bump, but that is up to you.

 

[Zero D]

Hi, have a look @ these, for eg.

TP Series of Professional Terminal Binding Posts
Single Touch-Proof Terminals

CLIFF Electronic Components - Touchproof Terminal Binding Posts

Safety socket terminals

Binding Posts | Brass Binding Posts | Farnell element14 UK

Farnell = element14 in the USA

All the best with your ventures, & keep us posted.

@ cabirio

I looked up the above before you posted. Good tip though

 

[mrshow4u]

Whoa, is that the real Willi Studer???? Awesome

I concur about the cost. Real Neutrik receptacles and in line connectors are very reasonably priced, especially when compared to 99.99999% LCOFC, Rhodium plated, Cryogenically treated, nurtured and annealed in a a fung shway kiln, etc, etc. connector system. That actually might turn out to be the downside. Many Audiophiles, and I bring this up because you described "high end tube amps", might pooh-pooh a great connector for not having these exotic attributes. Let's hope not. The Speakon and the PowerOn connectors for that matter are well designed and are a joy to use.

I just acquired some old Meyer Sound UPA-1A that used those Amphenol EP connectors. I think the contact rating was 30A per contact, they were a bitch to solder 12 ga wire to. Metal and well made, but the Speakon connectors have better contact and current carrying performance and are about 1/4 the price.

 

[Enzo]

MAybe depends on your market, but I see a guy in the store looking at different models, and sees speakons. "I don't want to have to buy special cables, I just want to connect my regular speaker wire like always."

Just a thought.

 

[Willi Studer]

MAybe depends on your market, but I see a guy in the store looking at different models, and sees speakons. "I don't want to have to buy special cables, I just want to connect my regular speaker wire like always."

Exactly, that was my point. Compatibility issue.

 

[mrshow4u]

Hi dmfraser, What is the extent of the, "Europe requires we use no-touch types." spec?

Does the conductor always have to be *shielded? If so, this might drive your compatibility issue. Maybe you need an EU version and a "rest of the world" version?

I can tell you that the EU standards are tightening up. At least for now for EMC compliance. The EU was the first to strictly enforce RoHS (heavy metals \m/) standards.

*Instead of "shielded", I should have said insulated.

 

[AndrewT]

it is the "problem" we DIYers all have.

any exposed conductive parts should be connected to the Protected Chassis.

RCA input sockets and metal speaker output terminals leave exposed metal parts able to be touched.

 

[xrk971]

It seems to me that if the speaker cable is being driven by mains like voltages one could use nice industrial Hubbell mains connectors like they do in the commercial factory floors and commercial kitchens. 208vac, lots of amps, fully protected from accidental touching, UL/CE certified etc.

 

[JonSnell Electronic]

Loudspeaker wiring is Class 2.

 

[Willi Studer]

The Revox guy? Unfortunately he passed away in 1996.

No, I did not.

 

[jacques antoine]

No, I did not.

OK, then.

 

[JMFahey]

Originally Posted by jacques antoine View Post
The Revox guy? Unfortunately he passed away in 1996.

No, I did not.

Who's talking about YOU ?

https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Willi_Studer

Wilhelm „Willi“ Studer (* 17. Dezember 1912 in Zürich; † 1. März 1996 in Wetzikon)

Ridiculous choice of user name , even worse if actually believing you are the real one, as your answer shows.

Delusional.

 

[Willi Studer]

Who's talking about YOU ?

https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Willi_Studer


Ridiculous choice of user name , even worse if actually believing you are the real one, as your answer shows.

Delusional.

I never asked for your opinion on my username.

Here's a Wikipedia reading for you:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humour