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Speakon connector

 

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Speakon connector


 
 



The Speakon is a type of cableCable

A cable is two or more wires or optical fibers bound together, typically in a common protective jacket or sheath....
 connectorElectrical connector

An electrical connector is a device for joining electrical circuits together....
 mostly used in professional audioProfessional audio

Professional audio, also 'pro audio', can be used a term to refer to both a type of audio equipment as well as a type of aud...
 systems for connecting loudspeakerLoudspeaker

A loudspeaker or speaker, is an electromechanical transducer which converts an electrical signal into sound....
s to amplifierAmplifier

In general, an amplifier is any device that uses a small amount of energy to control a larger amount of energy....
s. The same manufacturer produces another connector dubbed PowerConPowerCon

The PowerCon is a connector manufactured by Neutrik for connecting mains power to equipment in a small space....
, though it is designed to carry mains power rather than audio signal. For safety's sake, the audio and power designs do not connect to each other.

A Speakon connector is designed with a locking system that may be designed for soldered or screw-type connections. Line connectors (female) only mate with (male) panel connectors (not with other line connectors) and typically a cable will have identical connectors at both ends. If it is needed to join cables, a coupler is used (which essentially consists of two panel connectors mounted on the ends of a plastic tube).

Speakon connectors are an available alternative to TRS, two-pole twist lock, and XLR connectors for loudspeakers. Speakon connectors lock into their sockets with a twisting motion, making them significantly less prone to disconnection than standard TRS plugs.

Speakon connectors are fully shielded from human touch, preventing electrical shock risks associated with high power audio amplifiers and unshielded connections.

Speakon connectors are designed to be unambiguous in their use in speaker cables: with jack and XLR connections, it is possible to use low-current shielded microphone or instrument cables in a high-current speaker application. Speakon cables are intended solely for use in high current audio applications.

The name Speakon is registered (see ) and finding a connector that claims to be compatible but does not use the name Speakon will prove to be very difficult.

Speakon connectors are made in two, four and eight-pole configurations. The two-pole line connector will mate with the four-pole panel connector, connecting to +1 and -1; but the reverse combination will not work. The eight-pole connector is physically larger to accommodate the extra poles. The four-pole connector is the most common at least from the availability of ready-made leads, as it allows for things like Bi-ampingBi-amping

Bi-amping is the practice of connecting two audio amplifiers to a loudspeaker unit: one to power the bass driver and the oth...
 (two of the four connections for the higher-frequency signal, with the other two for the lower-frequency signal) without two separate cables. Similarly, the eight-pole connector could be used for Tri-ampingTri-amping

Tri-amping is the practice of connecting three audio amplifiers to a loudspeaker unit: one to power the bass driver , one to...
 (two poles each for low, mid and high frequencies with two unused).

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