Have you been bass amplifier shopping lately? If so, you probably noticed that many of the rear chassis panels have Speak-on Connectors included along with the traditional female 1/4" jacks. Excellent! Yeah! Woohoo! I digress. You've got to love the pro audio influence moving over into bass gear. It was bound to happen. Once bass amplification power amps started moving into the 500 watt and above range. As I remember, it was XYZ amplification that first started to use them, then is was the ABC Company and finally, everyone that is considered "Pro" is now incorporating them on their back panels. Why?

First, it is an excellent connector. Small metal blocks touching small metal blocks. There is a larger contact area for current to be conducted.

Second, it is designed to accommodate heavier gauge speaker cable securely. The cable cannot be pulled apart from the connector. Its connection to the amplifier is twist locked in place. It cannot be pulled out of the amp in its locked and operational position.

Third, It is very versatile and you have to understand its wiring nomenclature.

Lets start with the single amplifier output (full range) wiring configuration. Inside the connector there are four small wire insertion blocks with small #1 Philips head screws attached to each. Please note: Older models have .05 mm hex screws. Each block is labeled as follows: 1+, 1-, 2+, 2-. The single amplifier output wiring is 1+ for positive and 1- for negative. If you go to any Super Store or Main Street Music Shop they will usually have this type of 6' length cable in 14-gauge thickness ready to go in a variety of configurations.

Speak-on (1+1-) to 1/4" male or Speak-on (1+1-)-Speak-on (1+1-) will accommodate full range speaker cabinet inputs as well as amplifier outputs.

So, what are those other two blocks (2+, 2-) for? Pay attention. If you are interested in purchasing or already own a stereo bass amp, if it is Speakon ready and you want to operate it in the mono bridged mode. Then the 1+1 - cable you just bought at your local shop needs a wiring modification. You need to unscrew the blue end of the Speak-on cable apart from the black locking section. Now, pull the white protection sleeve away. Pull the locking portion away from the connector sleeve and poof; there are the four wiring blocks. Now, you must move the 1- (usually black) wire to the 2+ wiring block directly underneath the 1+ block. Screw the bare wire end tightly into place and have patience putting all the pieces back together. Make sure you are using the right output connector on the back of the amp chassis and check to see if the Stereo/Mono Bridged button is the correct position (mono).

Some manufacturers include a speaker cable with the amp you purchase. Beware; their wiring configurations are rarely marked. Speak-on connectors are usually wired (1+1-) not (1+2+). You will have to disassemble them to be positive of their wiring configuration. Cable manufacturers will occasionally label cables with sleeves identifying their wiring configuration. If there is no sleeve labeling on a cable with a Speak-on connector more than likely it is wired (1+1-).

Bridged

Stereo