Speakon connector
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The Speakon is a type of cable connector mostly used in professional audio systems for connecting loudspeakers to amplifiers. The same manufacturer produces another connector dubbed PowerCon, though it is designed to carry mains power rather than audio signal. For safety's sake, the audio and power designs do not connect to each other.
A Speakon connector is designed with a locking system that may be designed for soldered or screw-type connections. Line connectors (female) only mate with (male) panel connectors (not with other line connectors) and typically a cable will have identical connectors at both ends. If it is needed to join cables, a coupler is used (which essentially consists of two panel connectors mounted on the ends of a plastic tube).
Speakon connectors are an available alternative to TRS, two-pole twist lock, and XLR connectors for loudspeakers. Speakon connectors lock into their sockets with a twisting motion, making them significantly less prone to disconnection than standard TRS plugs.
Speakon connectors are fully shielded from human touch, preventing electrical shock risks associated with high power audio amplifiers and unshielded connections.
Speakon connectors are designed to be unambiguous in their use in speaker cables: with jack and XLR connections, it is possible to use low-current shielded microphone or instrument cables in a high-current speaker application. Speakon cables are intended solely for use in high current audio applications.
The name Speakon is registered (see Speakon page of manufacturer's web site) and finding a connector that claims to be compatible but does not use the name Speakon will prove to be very difficult.
Speakon connectors are made in two, four and eight-pole configurations. The two-pole line connector will mate with the four-pole panel connector, connecting to +1 and −1; but the reverse combination will not work. The eight-pole connector is physically larger to accommodate the extra poles. The four-pole connector is the most common at least from the availability of ready-made leads, as it allows for things like Bi-amping (two of the four connections for the higher-frequency signal, with the other two for the lower-frequency signal) without two separate cables. Similarly, the eight-pole connector could be used for Tri-amping (two poles each for low, mid and high frequencies with two unused).
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