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The Speakon (stylized speakON) is a trademarked name for an
MX21's bi-amp information: custom speakon cable
/ref> Some amplifiers and mixer-amplifiers are configured to do this without the need for a 'combiner'. Also available are 2-pole "combo" receptacles that can also accept 4-pole cables and 1/4″ phone plugs. In 2019 the manufacturer introduced the STX series which included male line connectors and female panel connectors.
Neutrik website
{{AVconn Audiovisual connectors
The Speakon (stylized speakON) is a trademarked name for an electrical connector
Components of an electrical circuit are electrically connected if an electric current can run between them through an electrical conductor. An electrical connector is an electromechanical device used to create an electrical connection between ...
, originally manufactured by Neutrik
Neutrik is a Liechtensteiner company that manufactures connectors used in audio and video recording studios and concert sound systems. Its product range includes XLR-type connectors, speakON connectors, powerCON connectors, etherCON connector ...
, mostly used in professional audio
Professional audio, abbreviated as pro audio, refers to both an activity and a category of high quality, studio-grade audio equipment. Typically it encompasses sound recording, sound reinforcement system setup and audio mixing, and studio mus ...
systems for connecting loudspeaker
A loudspeaker (commonly referred to as a speaker or speaker driver) is an electroacoustic transducer that converts an electrical audio signal into a corresponding sound. A ''speaker system'', also often simply referred to as a "speaker" or " ...
s to amplifier
An amplifier, electronic amplifier or (informally) amp is an electronic device that can increase the magnitude of a signal (a time-varying voltage or current). It may increase the power significantly, or its main effect may be to boost the v ...
s. Other manufacturers make compatible products, often under the name "speaker twist connector".
Speakon connectors are rated for at least 30 A RMS continuous current, higher than 1/4-inch TS phone connectors, two-pole twist lock, and XLR connector
The XLR connector is a type of electrical connector primarily used in professional audio, video, and stage lighting equipment. XLR connectors are cylindical in design, and have three to seven connector pins, and are often employed for analog b ...
s for loudspeakers.
Design
A Speakon connector is designed with a locking system that may be designed for soldered or screw-type connections. Line connectors (female) mate with (male) panel connectors and typically a cable will have identical connectors at both ends. If it is needed to join cables, a coupler can be used (which essentially consists of two panel connectors mounted on the ends of a plastic tube). The design was conceived in 1987.https://www.neutrik.com/media/10094/download/product-guide---section-loundspeaker-connectors.pdf%3Fv%3D1 Speakon connectors are designed to be unambiguous in their use in speaker cables. With 1/4" speaker jacks and XLR connections, it is possible for users to erroneously 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. Speakon connectors arrange their contacts in two concentric rings, with the inner contacts named +1, +2, etc. and the outer contacts connectors (in the four-pole and eight-pole version only). named −1, −2, etc. The phase convention is that positive voltage on the + contact causes air to be pushed away from the speaker. 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 likebi-amping
Bi-amping and tri-amping is the practice of using two or three audio amplifiers to amplify different audio frequency ranges, with the amplified signals being routed to different speaker drivers, such as woofers, subwoofers and tweeters. Biampin ...
(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-amping
Bi-amping and tri-amping is the practice of using two or three audio amplifiers to amplify different audio frequency ranges, with the amplified signals being routed to different speaker drivers, such as woofers, subwoofers and tweeters. Biampin ...
(two poles each for low, mid and high frequencies with two unused), or quad-amping (two poles each for high, mid, low and sub).
Another use for the four-pole cable is to carry two channels of amplified signal from an amplifier to a pair of loudspeakers using a 'combiner' Y-lead connected to the two output channels, and a 'splitter' Y-lead to feed the loudspeakers. The 'combiner' and 'splitter' Y-leads are the same: two two-pole connectors on one end, connected to the ±1 and ±2 pins, respectively, of a four-pole line connector at the other end./ref> Some amplifiers and mixer-amplifiers are configured to do this without the need for a 'combiner'. Also available are 2-pole "combo" receptacles that can also accept 4-pole cables and 1/4″ phone plugs. In 2019 the manufacturer introduced the STX series which included male line connectors and female panel connectors.
See also
*PowerCon
powerCON is an electrical connector manufactured by Neutrik for connecting mains power to equipment in a small space. It looks and works similarly to the Speakon
The Speakon (stylized speakON) is a trademarked name for an electrical conne ...
References
External links
Neutrik website
{{AVconn Audiovisual connectors