Speakons for subs: mixing 2 & 4 pole jacks.

[K2000]

I'm doing a terrible job explaining myself, so I made a pic... does this look okay?

[kekani]

Not understanding the logic of why you would wire it up that way, but you could, I guess. Then you and ONLY you would be able to use the 2nd sub, because I highly doubt there are guys running around with only the 2+/2- poles used.

I would twist the pink/red into 1- and twist the tan/white into 1+ (actually, I would make the red wires + , and the tan/white -). Leave the #2 poles empty.

Your extension should be wired on the #1 terminals, UNLESS for some odd reason they jacks are wired on the #2 terminals; again, not sure why you'd wire your subs this way. Basically, I'd put the red on 1+ and the white on 1-.

[Bruce Weldy]

Not understanding the logic of why you would wire it up

+1

Absolutely no reason to do that. You are running parallel. Make it easy and just run a jumper between the cabs. Forget the 4 conductor cable, it's not necessary for that you are doing.

Now, if you are running all the subs in one place, then use your 4 conductor cable like two singles. Split the end and put one speakon on two of the wires and one speakon on the other two - do the same on the other end. Now you have two cable in one jacket......and you don't have to ever worry about which poles are used....they are all on 1+ and 1-.

[escapemcp]

You could run cables from both bananas into one 4 core speakon connector and then use your 4 core to run to your sub stack. Finally use an XLR stage box to break out of the 4 core into 2 lots of 2 core and then run that to your subs like this:


It does place a lot of reliance on the stage box working though. If it breaks, you will only be able to run one side (1+/-). I am going to wire up an extra speakon chassis connector which takes it's feed from 2+/- of the 4 core connector to prevent any problems. If my stage box dies, I can just plug in one set of speakers into the 4 core speakon and the other set into the 'backup' speakon, and I'm up and running.

[byacey]

It does place a lot of reliance on the stage box working though. If it breaks, you will only be able to run one side (1+/-). I am going to wire up an extra speakon chassis connector which takes it's feed from 2+/- of the 4 core connector to prevent any problems. If my stage box dies, I can just plug in one set of speakers into the 4 core speakon and the other set into the 'backup' speakon, and I'm up and running.

I made a similar extension for the far end speakers, although mine carries the mid high and can accommodate a couple monitor feeds as well as the subs.

I housed it all in a Hammond die cast aluminum box. The only way this is going to fail is if a vehicle drives over it; even at that it might survive. I always have enough cabling to run without it, but it does make for a cleaner, less cluttered stage area.

[K2000]

Basically, I'd put the red on 1+ and the white on 1-.

Okay, easy enough. I can't fit two wires (red, light red) into one Speakon pole though.

Absolutely no reason to do that. You are running parallel. Make it easy and just run a jumper between the cabs. Forget the 4 conductor cable, it's not necessary for that you are doing.

The 4 wire cable is what I have on hand, so if I can use it, that would be great. I don't understand what "jumper" means, or how it is different than what I'm already doing. The cabs are daisy chained. Two cabs per channel. How is that different than your recommendation?

Now, if you are running all the subs in one place, then use your 4 conductor cable like two singles. Split the end and put one speakon on two of the wires and one speakon on the other two - do the same on the other end. Now you have two cable in one jacket......and you don't have to ever worry about which poles are used....they are all on 1+ and 1-.

This seems doable, if I can learn how to treat the split cable so it looks presentable? However, I think some companies sell 8 gauge cable by packaging 2 sets of 16 gauge wire in one cable (not sure about the exact measures but the concept holds). That may be what I have, in my 4 wire cable. I want to use a heavy gauge, correct? Maybe not critical on a short cable run? Equipment is stacked together.


Are 2-pole Speakon plugs equipped with larger poles? I can't fit the heavy 2 wire cable into my 4 pole Speakons.

[Grant Bunter]

This seems doable, if I can learn how to treat the split cable so it looks presentable?

Take the outer jacket off (using a sharp knife, being careful not to mark any of the sheath around any of the inner cables). For example, remove say a foot of outer jacket. Use appropriate sized heatshrink on each pair. Then another, larger piece of heatshrink where the now pretty pairs of cable exit the jacket. Attach speakon plugs. Pretty as

I can't fit the heavy 2 wire cable into my 4 pole Speakons.

Snip off a few strands with side cutters. Check for fit again. Solder. Screw them in then...

[Bruce Weldy]

This seems doable, if I can learn how to treat the split cable so it looks presentable?

Take the outer jacket off (using a sharp knife, being careful not to mark any of the sheath around any of the inner cables). For example, remove say a foot of outer jacket. Use appropriate sized heatshrink on each pair. Then another, larger piece of heatshrink where the now pretty pairs of cable exit the jacket. Attach speakon plugs. Pretty as

I can't fit the heavy 2 wire cable into my 4 pole Speakons.

Snip off a few strands with side cutters. Check for fit again. Solder. Screw them in then...

That's exactly what I did.....I'll try to post some pics tomorrow....

[K2000]

This seems doable, if I can learn how to treat the split cable so it looks presentable?

Take the outer jacket off (using a sharp knife, being careful not to mark any of the sheath around any of the inner cables). For example, remove say a foot of outer jacket. Use appropriate sized heatshrink on each pair. Then another, larger piece of heatshrink where the now pretty pairs of cable exit the jacket. Attach speakon plugs. Pretty as

Awesome, thank you.

I can't fit the heavy 2 wire cable into my 4 pole Speakons.

Snip off a few strands with side cutters. Check for fit again. Solder. Screw them in then...

Trimming is allowed?

[BrentEvans]

Trimming is allowed?

Only as much as necessary to ensure fit.

[Bruce Weldy]

Trimming is allowed?

Only as much as necessary to ensure fit.

I've never had a problem getting 12ga wire in a speakon. Make sure that you unscrew the set screw all the way so there's room.

[kekani]

Another comment on the "not able to fit" issue. I've fit Canare 4s11 into the NL4's. A little tight, and two 14ga wires don't fit if you try to squeeze both in. As Grant said, solder them together. However, I'd solder the wire to wire, and leave the "end" unsoldered, so the crimp can grab and squeeze the wire for full contact, instead of trying to squeeze solder, which doesn't work well in the speakons.

I gotta bring up the 2+/2- wiring you posted in the pic. Is that how your sub jacks are are currently wired, or is that how you initially planned on wiring them (because you're building)?

[K2000]

I gotta bring up the 2+/2- wiring you posted in the pic. Is that how your sub jacks are are currently wired, or is that how you initially planned on wiring them (because you're building)?

Building them. I was curious if it mattered which poles I picked. It would make sense to pick 1+ and 1- but when Photoshopping the pic, using 2 was kind of an accident but I figured it was a good question so I left it.

[K2000]

Guys, I bailed out. I purchased a 4-pack of short Speakon cables for a fair price. I don't mind delegating sometimes, and this is one of those times. I could get my wires into the Speakon pole, but when I would tighten the screw down, the wire wasn't secure. The suggestion to tin the wire first, then remove the screw and solder the wire into place seemed good, but if I goofed that up my plug would be useless (well I'd get two tries at that, I guess). I don't see that well (bifocals time) and I don't want to spend 4 hours (or more) building cables, with the possibility of do-overs and failures during a show. It will be a lot easier for me to replace two Speakons with bananas, rather than building 6 speakons. I can keep the banana cables as emergency backups.

Anyway, thanks for holding my hand. I have 5 right angle plugs that I will give away, with first dibs to anyone who posted in this thread, or BFM authorized builders. PM me if interested, and I will cover shipping. Two plugs are still wrapped in plastic, one is not wrapped but not disassembled, and two were disassembled (but should be easy to re-assemble... stay tuned for that Help Me thread) First come first served, for entertaining my dumb questions!

They look like this, 5 total:

[kekani]

Now I get why you were having issues with the 4 wire cable. The Canare 4s11 wouldn't make that turn (the 4s8 would, which I actually use - the 11's collect dust, too heavy, I'm a wimp).

Since you bought the cables, we now know you're not going to wire with the #2, and use the #1 terminals. You'll be standardized for sure. Good luck!

What subs?