Using Speakon Vs Binding posts?

Status
This old topic is closed. If you want to reopen this topic, contact a moderator using the "Report Post" button.
Jump to Latest
chris661

chris661

Member
Joined 2008
Specialist applications. As a live sound engineer, I can tell you that all chassis connections are female and all cables are male, in day-to-day use. Sometimes someone might come up with something that'd be better with a male chassis, but I can't think of any right now.

Chris
 
2 picoDumbs

2 picoDumbs

Member
Joined 2013
chris661 said:
Specialist applications. As a live sound engineer, I can tell you that all chassis connections are female and all cables are male, in day-to-day use. Sometimes someone might come up with something that'd be better with a male chassis, but I can't think of any right now.

Chris
Click to expand...

I just checked it. The standard cables sold in shops have female neutrik connectors, so the chassis mount connectors need to be male neutrik connectors to be compatible.
 
Last edited:
T

tommus

Member
Joined 2009
I was reading about XLR connectors, and saw a reference that they used to be employed as speaker connectors. They have a current capacity of 15A (for 3 pin), also you can get them in 4 and 6 pin variants. Think of it as a mini-Speakon for home use!
 
Last edited:
M

madisonears

Member
Joined 2007
2 picoDumbs said:
Is there any recommended convention regarding male vs female chassis mount connectors.

Usually for mains wiring you would go with female at the source, but this is audio and regular binding posts stick out there like dog's balls so.....

Just wondering if there is something I am missing?

The only thing I can think of is if a cable is wired differently at each end then maybe you want male and female at either end to avoid connecting cable the wrong way.

Please enlighten me what Neutrik's intent is for the male/female chassis mount gender.
Click to expand...

For XLR's, the male is always sending information, and the female receives it. That should be easy to remember. ;) RCA's are, of course, always female on a chassis because males would get broken off. :eek: Mains send from the female because otherwise we'd all be dead. :RIP:

Peace,
Tom E
 
KJ_Knowles

KJ_Knowles

Member
Joined 2006
I have become pro-Speakon over the last few years. Of course, it may have something to do with the fact that I work for a Pro Sound manufacturer these days and occasionally my "office" looks like this:
An externally hosted image should be here but it was not working when we last tested it.

With that many boxes, anything that makes connections quicker and easier is appreciated. :) For non-Pro use, I especially appreciate that the NL4 and NL8 connectors make connecting active systems a no-brainer (assuming the initial wire-up is correct, of course).

Accidental polarity reversal and shorts from errant conductor strands also become a non-issue. Well crafted binding posts from Cardas, WBT and similar are certainly more attractive. One thing Speakons are NOT is "Audio Jewelry", and I confess to missing that aspect a bit since switching. :eek:
 
M

mctavish

Member
Joined 2008
Speakon all the way. They just work and are super practical.

Everything at home has them, The amps I buils and the speakers. Makes everything easier.

Plus they are idiot-proof. After a couple of beers you dont have to worry about getting the polarity right, you just unplug and plug again:D
 
T

tcpip

Member
Joined 2003
tcpip.dhandanought.org/
scottjoplin said:
I wish there was a mini speakon like mini XLR, sometimes they're just too large
Click to expand...
I'm new to Speakon; my first amp and speakers which will have Speakon sockets are being made now.

But I was surprised when I received the Neutrik NL4 type Speakon sockets. They are so small -- they are exactly the same cutout as XLR sockets.

What all of you have said in this thread is exactly what I'll do henceforth -- I'll always put Speakon connectors on all my amps and speakers henceforth. If space permits on amps, I'll put binding posts too, and on speakers, I'll always put binding posts. They are pretty, shiny audio jewellery after all, and make the perceived value of my gear go up in the eyes of shiny-thing-loving "audiophiles".
 
T

tcpip

Member
Joined 2003
tcpip.dhandanought.org/
sangram said:
Tarun

Cheap brass audio posts sound terrible, they have to be gold plated and weigh two kilograms each, else it will not sound good. After all, all tweeters need 200 amperes to really open up.

Quite literally.
Click to expand...
The Calcutta (humour) Chromosome is quite virulent in you, my friend. May you enjoy the beef while Didi lasts in her chair. 2021 is coming.

:D :D
 
T

tcpip

Member
Joined 2003
tcpip.dhandanought.org/
sangram said:
Tarun

Cheap brass audio posts sound terrible, they have to be gold plated and weigh two kilograms each, else it will not sound good. After all, all tweeters need 200 amperes to really open up.

Quite literally.
Click to expand...
The quality of the sound which flows through a connector is proportional to the square of the price of the said connector. Since Neutrik Speakons cost some $2 or $4 each, and the Mundorf or WBT binding posts cost 10x or more, it all boils down to: do you really care about the sound quality of your system or don't you?
 
Pano

Pano

Administrator
Joined 2004
Paid Member
I have many Speakon NL8 connectors that stay outside all summer in the pouring rain. Not one has failed. I should put dielectric grease on them to keep the water out, but it hasn't been necessary. Somehow they manage to stay dry and clean and work even in the rain.

For me, that says a lot.
 
Status
This old topic is closed. If you want to reopen this topic, contact a moderator using the "Report Post" button.
Top Bottom