Installing Speakon connectors into older Speakers
- Wooferhound
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Installing Speakon connectors into older Speakers
I am not afraid to purchase older sound gear and upgrade it for my uses, and this includes speaker cabinets. I was perfectly happy using 1/4 inch connectors for all my speakers until a few years ago when I realized that The World is Changing and the 1/4 inch connectors were becoming unavailable or hard to find. So I decided to convert all my older cabinets to Speakon Connections. This has many advantages including TwistLock connect and 30 amps current capacity for solid high power connections. After all, the 1/4 inch connectors were originally designed for 200ma connections with telephones.
I ordered some Chassis Mount Speakon connectors from Full Compass for $2.33 each or 25 for $2.10 each.
http://www.fullcompass.com/product/243526.html
These were combo connectors that will work with both connection types, Speakon or 1/4 inch, so I could use older cables and amps If I need to. I owned the 15/16 inch hole punch that is needed for the Speakon, plus a couple more holes are need to bolt the connector in. I use Locktite on the screws so speaker vibration and travel on the road won't loosen it up.
I will remove one or both of the original connectors and install the Speakon connector in one of the original holes and Epoxy glue a small metal plate over the unused empty hole that is left over.
I've gotten most of my system converted over and just have a few cabinets left to change out.
A Community cabinet that was given to me with a blown woofer. I replaced it with a Black Widow and now I use it as a Drum Monitor.
A Crate cabinet that had blown woofers. I replaced them with 15 inch Scorpions and use these mainly as Mids, or as lows for smaller systems. In my triamped systems I color code the Cables and speakers like traffic lights. Red-highs , Yellow-mids , Green-lows.
A couple of Monitor cabinets that I got without any speakers. Used 10 inch Scorpions and 22XT drivers with an Eminence crossover network. Still need to change the connectors in one of them.
An EAW cabinet that had a blown woofer. I replaced it with a Black Widow, then a connector change out and it's ready to kick.
I ordered some Chassis Mount Speakon connectors from Full Compass for $2.33 each or 25 for $2.10 each.
http://www.fullcompass.com/product/243526.html
These were combo connectors that will work with both connection types, Speakon or 1/4 inch, so I could use older cables and amps If I need to. I owned the 15/16 inch hole punch that is needed for the Speakon, plus a couple more holes are need to bolt the connector in. I use Locktite on the screws so speaker vibration and travel on the road won't loosen it up.
I will remove one or both of the original connectors and install the Speakon connector in one of the original holes and Epoxy glue a small metal plate over the unused empty hole that is left over.
I've gotten most of my system converted over and just have a few cabinets left to change out.
A Community cabinet that was given to me with a blown woofer. I replaced it with a Black Widow and now I use it as a Drum Monitor.
A Crate cabinet that had blown woofers. I replaced them with 15 inch Scorpions and use these mainly as Mids, or as lows for smaller systems. In my triamped systems I color code the Cables and speakers like traffic lights. Red-highs , Yellow-mids , Green-lows.
A couple of Monitor cabinets that I got without any speakers. Used 10 inch Scorpions and 22XT drivers with an Eminence crossover network. Still need to change the connectors in one of them.
An EAW cabinet that had a blown woofer. I replaced it with a Black Widow, then a connector change out and it's ready to kick.
Last edited by Wooferhound on Tue May 13, 2014 5:30 pm, edited 2 times in total.
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Re: Installing Speakon connectors into older Speakers
I did that several years ago with some home made cabinets that I used to own. I bought some of the black steel prepunched metal plates that you can buy from places that sell components to build rack cases. Penn Fab or El Comm? I think was were i bought them. Speakon is the way to go, they never get unplugged by accident and they do handle much more current than 1/4" jacks do.
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- Wooferhound
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Re: Installing Speakon connectors into older Speakers
All of the speakers shown are in pairs so there are twice as many as you see. Plus there are a few singles that I didn't picture, probably about 20 converted speakers in all. I have a couple of FH-2 cabinets in my storage unit, the ones that are as big as a refrigerator. Those were some of the first speakers that I converted to Speakon. I have a little laugh everytime I see Speakons on those speakers because a Speakon wasn't even dreamed of when those cabinets were made.
Now I have a couple that I want to convert that will be a little harder to do. I have a MF1-X horn that I use with a Crate woofer more than once a week. Sometimes I Bi/Triamp this setup and sometimes I use the Full Range input with the internal passive crossover. I plan to put in 3 speakons: one for the Full Range input and the other 2 on the jacks with the Biamp functions. Then add a Toggle Switch to the horn to select between Biamp operation and the internal passive crossover.
I've also got a 3020ht that has 3 speaker systems in it: Two Scorpion 15", Two Scorpion 10", and 2 horns. It can also be setup Full Range with it's own crossover or Tri/Quadamped. I plan to replace all 4 connectors with Speakons and add a 3-Way switch to the speakers to choose between Fullrange internal crossover or Triamp operation.----- W o o f e r h o u n d -----
Re: Installing Speakon connectors into older Speakers
i was thinking of adding Speakon connectors too. i thought they could be wired with additional wires for bi/tri amping. how would the switches be wired in, what would their function be? now that i think about it, would it be to reduce the need for a separate midrange/high frequency Speakon connectors when tri-amping, as opposed to bi-amping (is that the difference between bi and tri-amping)?
i am wondering if i could wire the speakon connectors in 3 groups and avoid a switch; one by itself for mono/stereo, 2 for bi-amping and 3 for tri-amping? Six Speakeron connectors per speaker cabinet.
i am wondering if i could wire the speakon connectors in 3 groups and avoid a switch; one by itself for mono/stereo, 2 for bi-amping and 3 for tri-amping? Six Speakeron connectors per speaker cabinet.
Re: Installing Speakon connectors into older Speakers
There is no way to add a speakon for bi-amp purposes without using a switch if you want to also use it in full-range mode sometimes.
How to add a speakon connection for bi-amp use (this example is for an SP1G, but the concept is the same for any other speaker)
http://www.bartmanaudio.com/speakonconv ... peakon.htm
A speaker cabinet can be "bi-amp" and a system can be "tri-amp" or "bi-amp". A system with a sub and top if "bi-amp" means the sub is on one amplifier, and the top cab is connected to another amplifier using that cabinet's "full-range" (or "normal") input. A "tri-amp" system is the sub on one amp, the woofer of the top cab on another amp, and the horn on a third amp.
How to add a speakon connection for bi-amp use (this example is for an SP1G, but the concept is the same for any other speaker)
http://www.bartmanaudio.com/speakonconv ... peakon.htm
A speaker cabinet can be "bi-amp" and a system can be "tri-amp" or "bi-amp". A system with a sub and top if "bi-amp" means the sub is on one amplifier, and the top cab is connected to another amplifier using that cabinet's "full-range" (or "normal") input. A "tri-amp" system is the sub on one amp, the woofer of the top cab on another amp, and the horn on a third amp.
- Wooferhound
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Re: Installing Speakon connectors into older Speakers
I finally have all the switches I need to finish the last 2 cabinets pictured above.
These cabinets have an internal Passive crossover as well as Bi/Tri Amp jacks. But some of the 1/4 inch jacks do the switching that directs the correct signal to the horn. When I install the speakon jacks there will not be an automatic switch in the jack to make the connections so I will need ti install a switch and do it manually. The switch will decide if the speaker drivers are connected to the Bi/Tri Amp Speakons, or to the Passive internal Crossover connected to the Full Range Speakon.
Learn to do Biamping and Triamping, it makes best use of amplifier power and helps to protect the speakers.
http://www.rocketroberts.com/techart/multi_amp.htm
These cabinets have an internal Passive crossover as well as Bi/Tri Amp jacks. But some of the 1/4 inch jacks do the switching that directs the correct signal to the horn. When I install the speakon jacks there will not be an automatic switch in the jack to make the connections so I will need ti install a switch and do it manually. The switch will decide if the speaker drivers are connected to the Bi/Tri Amp Speakons, or to the Passive internal Crossover connected to the Full Range Speakon.
Learn to do Biamping and Triamping, it makes best use of amplifier power and helps to protect the speakers.
http://www.rocketroberts.com/techart/multi_amp.htm
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Re: Installing Speakon connectors into older Speakers
The link in my post above addresses the 1/4" switching jack problem as well, and does so without having to modify the crossover circuit board at all and no needed extra switches installed.
- Wooferhound
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Re: Installing Speakon connectors into older Speakers
Finally it's getting warmer and I don't mind working in the garage so much. Most of my gear has been converted over from 1/4 inch to Speakon connectors. But I have 4 cabinets that have switched 1/4 inch jacks so I needed some extra parts and a bit of extra time to change them over.
Now I have 2 more 3020 full range cabinets to do the same thing to . . .
Now I have 2 more 3020 full range cabinets to do the same thing to . . .
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Re: Installing Speakon connectors into older Speakers
Thanks for posting your project. I have a couple cabs I want to do this to.
Peavey Transformer 112 (2) and 212.
Peavey Generation EXP
Peavey Generation EXP
Re: Installing Speakon connectors into older Speakers
Keep up the good work wooferhound, maybe nasa will let you wire that rocket to mars for sound!!!!
Dano0369
- Wooferhound
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Re: Installing Speakon connectors into older Speakers
Second cabinet from the bottom is my 3020 cabinets doing an event last weekend. When I unloaded them, I removed the crossovers in preparation for converting the 1/4 inch jacks to Speakon connectors. I disassembled one of them to see what condition it was in. I had given them over 400 watts frequently. Was surprised that it looked very healthy and did not look like it need any repairs. a quick look at the other crossover showed the same results. These things are huge compared to what you see on the outside of the cabinet.
This will be very much like the last project, using switches to choose between Full Range and Tri-Amp operation. In another thread I found out that it is NOT a good idea to connect all the Negative (black) speaker wires together and just switch the Positive (red) wires, so my plan is to use three 2 pole 10 amp switches on each crossover and switch the Lo, Mid and Hi speakers individually. I'm waiting for the switches to get here and will be drilling and punching the new connector plates plus most of the new wiring.
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Re: Installing Speakon connectors into older Speakers
I finally acquired all the parts I need to convert my Peavey 3020ht cabinets to Speakon connectors. These connectors are Combo connectors so they will also accept 1/4 inch plugs too.
I'm really wanting to try these 3020 cabinets Quad-Amped with an 18 inch subwoofer under them. They would be kicking Butt for quite a few hundred feet.
This completes the conversion of All of my speaker inventory to Speakon connections. The only reason I would need 1/4 inch speaker cables is to loan them to musicians that have forgotten their own. I'll still be making Speakon conversions to older equipment that I may purchase or to speakers that I could be rebuilding.
I'm really wanting to try these 3020 cabinets Quad-Amped with an 18 inch subwoofer under them. They would be kicking Butt for quite a few hundred feet.
This completes the conversion of All of my speaker inventory to Speakon connections. The only reason I would need 1/4 inch speaker cables is to loan them to musicians that have forgotten their own. I'll still be making Speakon conversions to older equipment that I may purchase or to speakers that I could be rebuilding.
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Re: Installing Speakon connectors into older Speakers
Thanks for providing the link to this thread in another post! I have the Peavey MF 2 Mark III Horns that crossover at 800HZ.Wooferhound wrote: ↑Fri May 01, 2015 9:18 pmI finally acquired all the parts I need to convert my Peavey 3020ht cabinets to Speakon connectors. These connectors are Combo connectors so they will also accept 1/4 inch plugs too.
3020speaker-1.jpg
3020speaker-2.jpg
3020speaker-3.jpg
3020speaker-4.jpg
3020speaker-5.jpg
3020speaker-6.jpg
3020speaker-7.jpg
I'm really wanting to try these 3020 cabinets Quad-Amped with an 18 inch subwoofer under them. They would be kicking Butt for quite a few hundred feet.
This completes the conversion of All of my speaker inventory to Speakon connections. The only reason I would need 1/4 inch speaker cables is to loan them to musicians that have forgotten their own. I'll still be making Speakon conversions to older equipment that I may purchase or to speakers that I could be rebuilding.
I can see by the pict8ure of the crossover that Peavey used Mylar Capacitors, and they are a Forever Capacitors and will not need replaced. However, if you had a 33 mfd Electrolytic Capacitor, I probably have an Electrolytic in mine as well. I will replace it, but will not use a Metal Foil or Mylar Capacitor either. For one thing, they are pretty big, but they also let more signal through because they are a lower loss Capacitor. I will just keep it real simple, and replace my Electrolytic Capacitor with another Electrolytic, but one with a high voltage rating.
Apple Roof Cleaning Tampa Florida
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711 Westbrook Ave
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813-655-8777
Https://www.saferoofcleaning.com
- Wooferhound
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Re: Installing Speakon connectors into older Speakers
Remember to use NonPolarized capacitors in your crossovers , especially if you use Electrolyticska7niq wrote: ↑Mon Aug 30, 2021 7:24 pmThanks for providing the link to this thread in another post! I have the Peavey MF 2 Mark III Horns that crossover at 800HZ.Wooferhound wrote: ↑Fri May 01, 2015 9:18 pmI finally acquired all the parts I need to convert my Peavey 3020ht cabinets to Speakon connectors. These connectors are Combo connectors so they will also accept 1/4 inch plugs too.
3020speaker-1.jpg
3020speaker-2.jpg
3020speaker-3.jpg
3020speaker-4.jpg
3020speaker-5.jpg
3020speaker-6.jpg
3020speaker-7.jpg
I'm really wanting to try these 3020 cabinets Quad-Amped with an 18 inch subwoofer under them. They would be kicking Butt for quite a few hundred feet.
This completes the conversion of All of my speaker inventory to Speakon connections. The only reason I would need 1/4 inch speaker cables is to loan them to musicians that have forgotten their own. I'll still be making Speakon conversions to older equipment that I may purchase or to speakers that I could be rebuilding.
I can see by the pict8ure of the crossover that Peavey used Mylar Capacitors, and they are a Forever Capacitors and will not need replaced. However, if you had a 33 mfd Electrolytic Capacitor, I probably have an Electrolytic in mine as well. I will replace it, but will not use a Metal Foil or Mylar Capacitor either. For one thing, they are pretty big, but they also let more signal through because they are a lower loss Capacitor. I will just keep it real simple, and replace my Electrolytic Capacitor with another Electrolytic, but one with a high voltage rating.
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