You can plug 6.3 mm (1/4″) plug to some (but not all) Neutrik Speakon connectors. I mean incorrectly like this:
Or like this
When you can make the plug to fit in, the plug shorts 1+ to 2+ connections with some potentially bad consequences. Also the 14″ plug can get short circuited.
Fun fact is that there are speakon-jack combo sockets on some speakers, even as original Neutrik product. So depending on Speakon jack, plugging in 1/4″ plug either does not fit, works well or short circuits.
Another interesting feature is that you can plug an US mains connector to a Speacon jack, and even get the mains connector contacts to make connections (to 1- and 2- pins).
15 Comments
Tomi Engdahl says:
There are those combo connectors also. But this one in the picture is not a combo connector model.
https://www.neutrik.com/en/neutrik/products/speakon-loudspeaker-connectors/speakon-chassis-connectors/speakon-combo
https://www.neutrik.com/en/product/nlj2mdxx-h
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.neutrik.com/en/neutrik/products/speakon-loudspeaker-connectors/speakon-chassis-connectors/speakon-combo
Tomi Engdahl says:
Related post
https://www.epanorama.net/newepa/2022/09/14/speakon-power/
Tomi Engdahl says:
There are:
- speakons you can’t plug in 1/4″ plugs
- speakons where you can plug in 1/4″ plug to short few pins
- there are combo speacons designed to work correctly with both speakon and 1/4″ plugs
All those types are available from Neutrik and quite possibly also from Chinese copy-cats
serviceninjas says:
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Tomi Engdahl says:
NL-4 Speakon discontinued – new version coming
https://youtu.be/cU3HrciZ7xY?si=ZID7LwzEAWOtPmdl
brandingheight says:
Excellent article. Thanks for sharing.
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Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.designacable.com/blog/seetronic-vs-neutrik-connectors/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Speaker Twist
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.basschat.co.uk/topic/482065-beware-not-all-speakon-connectors-are-the-same/
Jonathan says:
Thanks for sharing. Chill Guy Clicker
Ameliya Safaris USA says:
Thank you for this article .Really informative.
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Tomi Engdahl says:
Many colors of speakon
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005004517994348.html
Tomi Engdahl says:
Bose, Turbosound, Martin,Meyer, early EAW and many others all used 3pin XLR’s wired with 16-12 gauge type SJO cable for speaker level audio, fron one to 3 XLR’s used for bi and tri amped boxes. Both switchcraft and Amphenol Cannon 3 pin XLR’s are rated at 20 amps 125 volts. They beat the hell out of the 1/4” phone jacks so common back then. But were replaced quickly when Cannon came out with their EP series of connectors, like XLR’s on steroids avalisblrc with 4, 6 or 8 pins they were the most popular pro speaker connector unti Neutrec came out with their NL series of connectors that were less than 1/2 the cost, didn’t require the need to know how to solider to build a cable. While nowhere near as robust as the all metal cannon EP series their lower cost and lack of skill needed for assembly took over. But many pro boxes can still be ordered with the more heavy duty cannon EP connectors.
Tomi Engdahl says:
switchcraft, amphenol cannon 3 pin XLR’s are all rated at 20 amps 125 volts.
Neutric and all the cheep crap out there have no UL approval for any type of amperage or high voltage
The cannon EP series took over and was the standard for years, all metal construction like an XLR on steroids available in 4, 6 or 8 pin variety’s with a cable clamp that could easily clamp down over 8 conductor cables.
They have a voltage rating of 250 volts and up to 75 amps.
Then Neutric came out with their NL series of connectors. Although depending on model only rated at 20 or 30 amps at 250 volts They did not require the need to know how to solider and were less than 1/2 the cost of a cannon EP series.
The price and lack of skills needed to make a cable made them the most popular. But cannon EP connectors are still available as an option on most pro speaker boxes.