Speakon to Speakon adapters

S

Steve Hurt

Junior
Jan 31, 2011
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I'm redoing my speaker cables to go to 4 conductor cables to reduce the clutter and speed up setup.

Most stages I work are small and a 40' run is the longest thing I could want, but I do get the occasional bigger stage.

I was thinking that on the long runs I could tie 2 speakon cables together with one of these:
http://www.audiopile.net/products/A..._adaptor/N4MMX_speakon_adaptor_cutsheet.shtml

Any problems with doing this? reliability issues, connections coming apart, power loss, other?

NL4MMX_angled.jpg
 
Re: Speakon to Speakon adapters

These are pretty solid.

The only problem I've ever had with them was when I couldn't find my second one about ten minutes ago... time to get off here and start looking for it!
 
Re: Speakon to Speakon adapters

The only downside of using a barrel connector is that you're adding 2 more points of failure in your speaker run versus just having a solid cable. That being said, they do work just fine, and you're only planning to use them for the occasional show where longer runs are necessary. Should be no problem at all.
 
Re: Speakon to Speakon adapters

RYAN LOUDMUSIC JENKINS said:
I own about 50 of them and about to 20 of the NL8 version. I always have some with me just in case. I have never had a failure. I don't need them very often but they are gig savers when you do need them. I would buy a handfull of them and just always keep them in your work box or goodie bag.
Click to expand...

+1

They are wonderful to have and the only issue I've EVER had with them, is not being able to find them. Which, could be an issue of myself entirely.
 
Re: Speakon to Speakon adapters

They are great and as bulletproof as any speaker connector can be.

Not only do they twist lock like all SPEAKONs but there is a sliding lock that double locks the unit onto one of the cables. Great for avoiding loss. I keep mine on some NL4 to TS shorties and always know they are there.

Mike McNany
 
Re: Speakon to Speakon adapters

They work fine, anyone who uses speakon cables needs to have some. I have some of each variation the Neutrik has offered over the years. I personally liked the version that was in the small rectangle enclosure better. The slide lock on the latest ones can be kind of handy I guess. I've wondered why they have not came out with an all metal STX version yet.
 
Re: Speakon to Speakon adapters

I have also used these occasionally. My Speakon cables are 50', 25', and 12'. Since my runs are usually satisfied by the 50's, I have found it better to use the couplers in the occasional situations where I need more than 50' than to stock longer cables.
 
Re: Speakon to Speakon adapters

I own five of the NL4 version and always keep then in my connector box. Most gigs that I do are just plug'n play but once in a while I run into routing situations that I need to use two or three of them.
In May/June I had a couple of outside provider gigs in damp/rainy conditions (band/dj on a covered stage...speakers tarped, etc, FOH under a tent) with the music still going but did not need to use a coupler. I have never used one for an outside gig in damp/rainy conditions. Has anyone done so?? I would tend to think that it would not be wise to..
Mike M
 
Re: Speakon to Speakon adapters

Mike Monte said:
I own five of the NL4 version and always keep then in my connector box. Most gigs that I do are just plug'n play but once in a while I run into routing situations that I need to use two or three of them.
In May/June I had a couple of outside provider gigs in damp/rainy conditions (band/dj on a covered stage...speakers tarped, etc, FOH under a tent) with the music still going but did not need to use a coupler. I have never used one for an outside gig in damp/rainy conditions. Has anyone done so?? I would tend to think that it would not be wise to..
Mike M
Click to expand...

They work. I wouldn't suggest submerging them on purpose, but if you get a good rain.. break the connection and blow out the coupler and plug with air and re-mate them. We use 4" stretch wrap on these to help weather proof. Big stretch wrap is your friend, too.
 
Re: Speakon to Speakon adapters

Mike Monte said:
I have never used one for an outside gig in damp/rainy conditions. Has anyone done so?? I would tend to think that it would not be wise to..
Mike M
Click to expand...
We use them outdoors on a regular basis. Usually I just put PVC tape round the joint between the plug and the adaptor and they as waterproof as they can be. We've never had any failures so far touch wood.
 
Re: Speakon to Speakon adapters

these things are largely bullet proof. although i kinda prefer the old version with the square case that was semi-serviceable. i have had a coupe of them fail, but not spontaneously. the biggest issue is the cable turning and them coming disconnected. used to kill a lot of time hunting the 'turned feed-thru'.

one thing that helps with the losing them. the company i cut my teeth on wrapped all the nl4 feed-thrus in red electrical tape. seems like that'd be ugly, but i don't recall that being an issue. sure made them harder to lose though. i got so used to seeing them that way that i was surprised when i went free-lance and there were ones out there that were black... :)
 


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