serven
Hi There,
We maintain a few very-basic club-sized PA systems to play music through at a couple of sites. A lot of the setups have been inherited from previous companies (this is not really something we actually do - it started with just "helping out"). Most of the speakers uses Speakon connectors which in theory seems like a good idea but I am having an endless amount of troubles.
Even with the twist-in connection I have dodgy connectors where the connector needs to be "fiddled" to actually work (checked the cable - not a wiring issue). We've bought some replacement connectors for the leads from local music shops and they range from better to absolutely terrible. I've had connectors so bad that they don't fit the sockets properly (at the second or third replacement, all of a sudden you get a mechanical fit that works).
The question: Is this normal? Can I be doing something wrong? Are we the only ones getting this experience? Surely someone else must have having this crap too?
I realise we might be getting crappy quality knock-off connectors but it is very difficult to find the Neutrik ones. Does anybody know of a company that stocks Neutrik Speakons and would sell low volume/quantity to anyone off the street?
The speakers/amplifiers (we're having problems both sides) are mainly Samson amps with Wharfedale speakers. I know this is not exactly top-of-the line but at the very least the connections should be reliable.
Big-G
I have had some issues with some speakers I recently bought used. Occasionally there seems to be a bad connection, and fiddling with the connector usually resolves this, but as you say, there is a degree of play within the connector socket which seems to be the route cause of the troubles.
It seemed as though (by the presence of white tack around the connector) that the previous owners had had a few issues and resolved it by sticking the connector into place? I think it becomes an issue when gear gets old and is regularly moved around or knocked??
With regards to getting Neutrik adaptors, try RS Electronics. They are a mail order warehouse, but have a Jozi depot where you can collect in person (their Cape Town branch closed about two years back). They are the best place to get Neutriks from.
Hope that helps though? You may need to replace the connectors on the speakers themselves to resolve the issues though if they are severely worn?
Regards
G!
JGP
The problem really is just cheap crappy connectors. Genuine Neutrik or other quality components do not have these issues but people just don't like to pay for the real deal.
