Neutrik Speakon Wiring For Rel Quake - how's it work?

[OneDesi]

I am trying to make a Neutrik Speakon based cable to connect my Rel Quake via the Speakon HFE connector to the front speaker outputs on my amp.

I have an NL4FX connector but do not know which type of wire to use (is it just normal speaker cable or something special - some links would be appreciated) and I also do not understand which of the 4 connectors within the Speakon connector to wire up (and to which cable) - a diagram would be great!

All help greatly appreciated

[eviljohn2]

Normal speaker wire with 3 cores is the stuff you need although it's hard to come by. Pick up some 4-core speaker wire (1.5mm CSA will be fine), even mains cable (with live, neutral and earth) will be just fine for this.

The speakon connector itself is easily terminated as long as you remember to put the shell onto the cable first.
1+ corresponds to your left speaker output.
2+ corresponds to your right speaker output.
1- corresponds to the common ground so should be connected to one of the black speaker outputs.

I hope that makes some sense

[OneDesi]

Thanks - does that mean I can ignore 2- ?

[OneDesi]

Can someone have a look at their speakon cables from Rel and tell me if the model number is NL4FX (would be great if you could just unscrew the cap to see if there are 4 wires internally or 3 and a short or just even 3 - please!

[eviljohn2]

If you've got 4-core cable you may as well connect 2- to the right negative speaker output for completeness but you don't need it for these connections.

I checked mine and there's no connection to 2- by default.

[Ianfromnotts]

What ever you do make sure only the earth/negative/black terminal on one
channel of the main speakers/amp is connected to the sub or your amp may go bang. Positive leads to both main speakers/amp outputs and negative to just one.

[OneDesi]

Cheers guys - nothings ever easy - I've now managed to twist the speakon connector with no wire in it so it wont open - what's the magic then?

[eviljohn2]

You've probably got the cable retention caught up badly inside. Just give it a good untwist - they're nice and tough.

When terminating the cable make sure you put the barrel on the cable first, then strip the ends so they're just right before doing 1+ and 2+ first. Doing the -ve terminals last makes it a lot easier as they're on the outside.

[OneDesi]

I've just had a horrible thought - have I missed the point of high level and lo level inputs.

Is there any point in connecting hi and lo levels via Speakon and phono respectively to the same AV amp or should I just let the amp control crossovers etc.

[Knyght_byte]

if just to AV amp then generally no point using both...unless of course your AV amp has a Pure Direct type setting where it bypasses everything including bass management.....in which case you might want to use the high level connection as well....i did while i was only using an AV amp with my Denon 3803.....