Plugs for DIY speaker cable?

[IMENATOR]

I have both preamp and a stereo power amp (ISP Stealth) in my pedal board now I need to make a couple of 20 ft speaker cables. I have some spare 1/4" plugs but I wonder if any 1/4" plug can be used for speakers as when I got them I never specified any current needs but my power amp outs can send about 60 rms into 8 ohm cab or up to 90 watt rms into 4 ohm watt.

Can any 1/4" plug be used safely for this purpose? How can you know when a plug is not meant for this use?

 

[skyydogg01]

Re: Plugs for DIY speaker cable?

Yes, as long as your cable can get into the connector.

I did it with some heavy duty connectors from Radio Shack, just to have the extra clearance.

 

[Boogie Bill]

Re: Plugs for DIY speaker cable?

I would use a quality plug...Switchcraft, G&H, Neutrik. A 1/4" plug/jack for speaker use is good up to about 500 watts.

Bill

 

[jeremy]

Re: Plugs for DIY speaker cable?

pretty much any 1/4" jack will be fine as long as its tip/sleeve and not trs.

 

[Little Pigbacon]

Re: Plugs for DIY speaker cable?

I'd add that the speaker wire conductors need to fit comfortably on/in the connectors (inside the assembly), with no chance of shorting together. I often use heatshrink or hot glue to help keep the conductors from touching. But starting out with the right connector is the right way to go.

 

[Darg1911]

Re: Plugs for DIY speaker cable?

They do make big plugs just for speaker cables.

https://www.parts-express.com/neutrik-rean-nys225-1-4-mono-plug-nickel-for-speaker-cable--092-147

https://www.parts-express.com/gh-mf2p-megafoot-plug-1-4-mono-connector--092-202

https://www.parts-express.com/amphe...o-phone-plug-connector-satin-nickel--092-3516

 

[devastone]

Re: Plugs for DIY speaker cable?

The guts are the same, the size of the outside of the barrell doesn't matter, just makes more room to work in or if you want to use 12AWG wire or something, but that's total overkill.

 

[Darg1911]

Re: Plugs for DIY speaker cable?

The guts are the same, the size of the outside of the barrell doesn't matter, just makes more room to work in or if you want to use 12AWG wire or something, but that's total overkill.

Even a decent quality, round jacketed 16 AWG speaker cable is going to be a tight fit to a no-go in many standard sized plugs. And forget using any heat shrink for strain relief. I guess it comes down to ones opinion on what is overkill when it comes to speaker cable type, gauge and how it's built/connected to the plug.

 

[IMENATOR]

Re: Plugs for DIY speaker cable?

The guts are the same, the size of the outside of the barrell doesn't matter, just makes more room to work in or if you want to use 12AWG wire or something, but that's total overkill.

Good point about gauge. I was thinking on using 16 AWG to make my life easier when trying to solder it to the plug, it will be just a couple of 20 ft long cables.

 

[Darg1911]

Re: Plugs for DIY speaker cable?

Just check the maximum cable entry size for the plug you want to use against the outside diameter of the speaker cable you want to use. If you want to use some heat shrink as added strain relief and/or to help secure the cable to the plug, make sure your plugs entry is large enough to accommodate it. If you are just going to use a zip cord type wire, it will probably fit, or can be made to fit, in a standard size plug. Personally, for stage use, I'd use a decent, round jacketed speaker cable. Flexible but durable. You have to get through both the outer jacket and the inner conductors insulation to get to the copper. As opposed to zip cord which wont take as much abuse. But hey, it's just my opinion. Maybe it's overkill.

 

[Little Pigbacon]

Re: Plugs for DIY speaker cable?

I'm a big fan of a little bit of overkill.