Speaker Wire question

PaRaNoId · 27th January 2010

I have two speaker wires that i want to combine in order to connect one of the mains on a PA system. The speaker is speakon connection and the power amp is banana. Would there be any issues connecting two speaker cables by their banana clips, even if one end is speakon? BTW the speaker also has a 1/4" jack..

my concern is that the banana clip "junction" will add noise shock risk if one touches banana clip junstion.

bishopthomas · 27th January 2010

Wait, so you're just wanting to extend your cable? Yeah, I guess linking the banana clips would work (maybe tape the connection point), but why not just get some NL4's (or 2's), a coupler, and do it right?

aussie_techie · 28th January 2010

its possible but i wouldn't trust it in a live venue, you need connectors that lock which means speakon all the way. and real neutrik speakon plugs and joiners, not the cheap copies as they always break with any real use.

Jim vanBergen · 28th January 2010

It's not the NOISE you should be concerned with, its the voltage and the potential endangerment to others. Using Banana clips to extend cables is NOT a safe approach; that's like suggesting an open metal connection for AC power- its really unsafe, and anywhere you might be that could have an electrician of a fire marshall will shut you down if you're in a place that could be visited by the public.

Now, if this is for home use and you don't care, you can use wire nuts and electrical tape but you still run the risk of fire.

best approach: get some locking connectors- (NL4 is preferred) and make it safe.

Adlen · 28th January 2010

Locking connectors and couplers all the way!

27th January 2010	#1
PaRaNoId Lives for gear Joined: Jan 2004 Posts: 550 Thread Starter	Speaker Wire question I have two speaker wires that i want to combine in order to connect one of the mains on a PA system. The speaker is speakon connection and the power amp is banana. Would there be any issues connecting two speaker cables by their banana clips, even if one end is speakon? BTW the speaker also has a 1/4" jack.. my concern is that the banana clip "junction" will add noise shock risk if one touches banana clip junstion. __________________ It's not the tools, it's the talent... Clients include- GIN BLOSSOMS, SOCIAL DISTORTION, HOT HOT HEAT, CIRCA SURVIVE, SILVER SUN PICKUPS, PHOENIX, DIRTY HEADS, ROGER CLYNE AND THE PACEMAKERS, BUSTICLES, ABOVE THE LOVE... Last edited by PaRaNoId; 27th January 2010 at 06:17 PM.. Reason: more stuff

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Why wire a speaker in reverse when there is a phase button?	skiroy	So much gear, so little time!	9	16th October 2008 05:39 PM
What kind of power amp to get for speaker wire? Help much appreciated...	maelstrom99	So much gear, so little time!	13	18th February 2008 05:09 PM
Cat5 for high end speaker wire?	Tommy-boy	So much gear, so little time!	4	8th September 2007 06:02 AM
4 terminal barrier block to speaker wire	mrbowes	So much gear, so little time!	2	12th September 2006 04:10 PM
Bi-Wire Speaker Cable TEST	dbbubba	So much gear, so little time!	153	16th August 2006 01:20 AM

27th January 2010	#2
bishopthomas Lives for gear Joined: Oct 2006 Location: New Jersey Posts: 1,565	Wait, so you're just wanting to extend your cable? Yeah, I guess linking the banana clips would work (maybe tape the connection point), but why not just get some NL4's (or 2's), a coupler, and do it right?

28th January 2010	#3
aussie_techie Lives for gear Joined: Jan 2004 Location: Perth, Australia Posts: 2,709	its possible but i wouldn't trust it in a live venue, you need connectors that lock which means speakon all the way. and real neutrik speakon plugs and joiners, not the cheap copies as they always break with any real use.

28th January 2010	#4
Jim vanBergen Lives for gear Joined: Apr 2005 Location: New York Friggin' City Posts: 2,562	It's not the NOISE you should be concerned with, its the voltage and the potential endangerment to others. Using Banana clips to extend cables is NOT a safe approach; that's like suggesting an open metal connection for AC power- its really unsafe, and anywhere you might be that could have an electrician of a fire marshall will shut you down if you're in a place that could be visited by the public. Now, if this is for home use and you don't care, you can use wire nuts and electrical tape but you still run the risk of fire. best approach: get some locking connectors- (NL4 is preferred) and make it safe.

28th January 2010	#5
Adlen Lives for gear Joined: Mar 2009 Location: Liverpool Posts: 3,093 2 Reviews written	Locking connectors and couplers all the way!