Speaker Connectors

Speaker connectors are a type of connector designed primarily for loudspeakers, Hi-Fi systems and other audio applications. Speaker connectors can be used to provide connection between speakers and amplifiers. Loudspeaker connectors are DIN connectors or circular connectors with a ring of metal surrounding an arrangement of pins that are plugged into a socket. Speaker connectors have a gender (male or female). Male connectors are a plug, while female connectors are the socket.

Types of speaker connector:

• Sockets
• Speaker Terminals
• Splitters
• Banana Plugs
• Pin Connectors
• speakON Connectors
• Audio Jacks

There are different types of speaker connector which are mounted in various ways. This includes: 

• Panel type connectors, which are mounted onto an equipment panel, are designed for high currents and inductive loads. Panel mount speaker connectors provide a connection between the speaker system and the outside of the enclosure.
• Cable type connectors are mounted onto a cable. They can feature a robust plastic shell and chuck-type cable clamps. The mounting will vary by the connector. Some are screw mounted or feature clamps.

Where are speaker connectors used?

• Loudspeakers
• Amplifiers
• Microphones
• Lighting systems
• Laser systems
• Concert equipment
• Telecommunications

What are speaker terminals?

Speaker terminals are a type of speaker connector which provide termination of leads or speaker wire. A benefit of a terminal is that it will often have multiple connections, saving the installation of multiple sockets. They feature red and black colour-coded sockets for the bare wire. The colour-coding helps to identify the polarisation of the wire.

Terminals often have a spring loaded lever which, after placing the wire inside, can be released and secured. This lever traps the wire in place, similar to a crimp. The levers are a really quick and easy way to create a secure connection. It also means that you do not need to attach different connectors to a cable, and various wire sizes can be used.