Speakon Connectors?

[5er Driver]

Are there advantages to using speakon vs. ¼ inch connectors? Do they lock into position? I've been in the market for some bass equipment and I see that most newer amps & cabs have speakon connections in addition to (what used to be) the standard ¼ inch connections. Some amps & cabs have only speakon connections. I guess this system surfaced a few years ago but I didn't pay any attention to it as it hadn't appeared on any guitar amps & cabs (yet).

Thanks,

[chaz]

Very popular on p.a. stuff, and yes they twist/lock into position. Personally I'm not a fan of them, but they have their place where maitaining that connection is critical or problematic.

[mark norwine]

They have a much higher current-carrying capacity than a 1/4" plug has. In high-power applications, that's important.

[Dexter.Sinister]

Very secure, excellent choice if never swapping rigs. Had them on two amps and four speakers.

DS

[thelionsden]

another reason they are good is that there is no chance for a momentary short as it is being plugged in like a 1/4 in is capable of. the blade of the tip contact in the jack can short the tip to the sleeve momentarily on a 1/4 in. With a Class D amp like an Acoustic Image, that momentary short is enough to blow out the amp if it is turned on when inserting the plug