speakON NL4 pinout
speakON NL4 Pinout (4-Pole)
The 4-pole speakON NL4 carries two speaker circuits: contacts 1+ and 1− are the primary (full-range) pair, and 2+ and 2− carry the second circuit for bi-amped cabinets. A standard full-range cable wires 1+/1− only.
| Pin | Signal | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1+ | Circuit 1 positive | Primary signal hot; the full-range feed on standard cables. |
| 1− | Circuit 1 negative | Primary signal return. |
| 2+ | Circuit 2 positive | Second circuit hot, used for bi-amp (commonly HF) or a second cabinet feed. |
| 2− | Circuit 2 negative | Second circuit return. |
What it’s used for
speakON is the standard loudspeaker connector in professional audio: it locks with a twist, carries high current safely, and cannot be mistaken for a line-level connection. NL4 is the workhorse size, used for everything from wedges to subs.
Bi-amp cabling is the main reason four poles exist: one cable runs LF on circuit 1 and HF on circuit 2 to a cabinet with an internal split. Which driver sits on which circuit is a system convention; check the cabinet manual before assuming.
Wiring & termination notes
- A 2-pole NL2 plug mates with an NL4 chassis socket and connects circuit 1 only; an NL4 plug does not fit an NL2 socket.
- Standard full-range cables wire 1+/1− straight through. A "bridge" or "jumper" cable for daisy-chaining a second cabinet off circuit 2 is wired 2±(in) to 1±(out) and must be labeled, because it looks identical.
- Bridged amplifier outputs put the full bridged voltage across 1+ and 2+ on some amp models; a standard 1± cable reads dead. Check the amp manual for its bridged output pinout.
- Use real speaker cable (13 to 12 AWG for typical runs); speakON connectors accept up to about 6 mm² (10 AWG) conductors.
Frequently asked questions
Are all speakON cables wired the same?
Off-the-shelf full-range cables are (1+ to 1+, 1− to 1−). Bi-amp and jumper cables are not, and nothing external distinguishes them; label ends or buy colored boots.
Can I plug an NL2 cable into an NL4 socket?
Yes: NL2 plugs mate with NL4 sockets and pick up circuit 1. The reverse (NL4 plug into NL2 socket) does not fit.