Speakon connector came apart...

[edwardofhuncote]

...last weekend as I was rolling up speaker cables.

I unscrewed the other one for a clue how to put them back to the correct terminals, and (you guessed it) that one came apart too before I could tell. I reckon they weren't tight enough to begin with... so now I have two speaker cables without connectors on one end. 

I take it; red goes to 1+, and white to 1-... but which is which, or does it matter in a two-pole application?  I would think if one were wired 'backward' from the other, the speaker would be out of phase. But then I really don't understand Speakon connectors...

These are just regular 50 foot speakon-to-1/4" speaker cables. No bi-amping, or anything... just connects amp to speaker.

Here's what I got:

[flpete1uw]

Gregory
Yes 1+ is usually red and in your case the tip to the 1/4" connector. An 1- is the white shield (Gnd).
From what it looks like (I could be wrong?) is that is an after market Speakon connector?
In general with Speakon connectors you should stick with Neutrik brand. They invented this type and the after markets have a history of failures.
Easy fix though! You can check your work with a continuity meter.
Best of luck,
Peace,
Pete

[lbpesq]

Gregory, if you pull the inside, with the terminals, from the casing, you should see that two of the connectors are labelled "+1/-1", while the other two are labelled "+2/-2".  You want to use the "+1/-1" pair.  The "+2/-2" pair of connectors is for a four wire cable.

Bill, tgo

[edwardofhuncote]

Thanks Bill and Pete. 

Yes, I used the term Speakon generically. These cables came with a pair of Peavey speakers I use with my PA. I unscrewed the 1/4" end to see which went to tip/sleeve, but of course it's heat-shrunk (yeah, I made that word up... ) in black tubing. I'll cut it and see later.

I see no +/- label anywhere.

[lbpesq]

Gregory, here's a video on speakon connectors that shows where to look for the labels:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=z_gzIz7dvgE

Bill, tgo

[edwardofhuncote]

Thanks Bill. 

[xlrogue6]

It's a good idea to check your Speakon connectors every year or so to make sure the setscrews that clamp the leads in place are good and tight. I've seen lots of them come into the shop that weren't.

[edwardofhuncote]

Just to finish the thread up... I eventually did just buy a pair of Neutrik SpeakON connectors and replaced these. As suggested - red went to tip and 1+, white went to sleeve and 1-... piece of cake!

Thanks fellas. 

*I felt so froggy after that successful wiring project, I went and put up a new light fixture in the laundry room.   

[dtothec]

Greg I have a light fixture that needs to be put up and was just checking to see when you're available to come by and show me how it's done! Lol!