SpeakOn connectors, TS connectors, and the limits of my cheapskatery

[fender3x]

I have been doing some small upgrades to cables, and just got around to speaker cables for my bass rig. I have a set of Bill Fitzmaurice cabs that I built from plans.* The plans recommend using Speakon jacks, but my amp at the time (G&K 400rb) had 1/4" TS jacks so I put Neutrik Combo jacks that can be used with either Speakon connectors or TS plugs. When I upgraded the amp (Carvin BX500) the new amp also had Speakon combo jacks. I finally decided to “upgrade” my cables with Speakon connectors.

Here’s where my inner cheapskate kicked in… I have learned the hard way that you need to use quality TS connectors when making instrument cables. By “the hard way” I mean that I have had Barrel jacks damaged by using bad connectors. I have also had poor quality connectors break off. But my inner cheapskate says, just because you are looking for quality connectors doesn’t mean you have to pay full price–look for sales! Buy in bulk!

What I have learned from that is that Switchcraft and Neutrik connectors almost never go on sale. Amphenol, IO Audio Tech, Kirlin, and a few other high quality connectors do go on sale (at least in bulk), so I watch the sales.

I thought the same logic might apply to Speakons. When I first installed the combo jacks the only people who made Speakon connectors were Neutrik. Now there are lots of Speakon knockoffs. However, if you look at any youtube about making Speakon cables, it seems like everyone warns you to use only Neutrik products...

…But…I noticed that Monoprice made Speakon connectors. I have had great luck with their products. Very high quality phone and computer cables. I have a tuner pedal…and even an amp from them. All work great, and were also a great value. However, the winning streak ENDS with Speakon connectors. I ordered 10 2-way connectors; I have tested 6 of them. Two click nicely into place. Two will click into place, but only with a bit of jiggling. Two do not click into place, and don’t work. Yikes!



Too risky. I am only using Pure Tone 1/4" jacks anymore. Unless it’s a speaker cab, and then only genuine Neutrik combo jacks.

**

Unless anyone out there has a suggestion, I’ll only be ordering genuine Neutrik Speakon connectors as well.


* https://billfitzmaurice.info/ I have a DR250 and a Titan-39.
** Maybe not a selling point for others, but I think it's cool that the Neutrik combo jacks are made in Liechtenstein. When I was fresh out of College I taught English as a second language for an institute in Liechtenstein, a tiny Alpine country with a population of about 40,000 sandwitched between Switzerland and Austria. Brings back nice memories ;-)