Many people often confuse Monster Quicklock connectors with Monster Lock connectors. Understandable since both connectors are very quick and easy to use and play a significant role in protecting our naked bare speaker wire. This is where the similarities end however because Monster Quicklock connectors are used for an entirely different application albeit with the similar goals in mind to the Monster Lock connectors. So what are the differences between these two very different but often confused speaker connectors from Monster Cable? Keep reading....
Monster Quicklock connectors are designed as a complete solution to protecting naked bare speaker wire up to around 11 gauge.
Monster Lock connectors are different, they are essentially the other half of a termination designed to be used in conjunction with Monster Master Pin terminated speaker cables. On their own, they are worthless without the Monster Mast Pin.
The Monster Cable - Monster Lock Master Pin is terminated on nearly all Monster M series and the recently discontinued Monster Z series pre-terminated speaker cables.
The Monster Lock Master Pin (shown above) consist of a threaded base and a pin. The threaded base is where all Monster Lock Connectors screw on while the pin by itself is designed for use with older spring-loaded terminals. If your equipment is older and happens to have one of the old spring-loaded connectors, you won't need Monster Lock connectors as you can use the speaker cables as-is; but if your equipment is like the majority of the rest of the world you will need to make a Monster Lock Connector selection in order to enjoy your Master Pin terminated Monster Cable.
For maximum compatibility, many different styles of Monster Lock Connectors are available:
Flex Tip - Designed for use with spring-loaded connectors and binding post. If you have a spring-loaded terminal, we recommend simply using the Master Pin; otherwise, we only recommend using the flex-tip option only if your systems equipment is NOT compatible with Banana or Spade connections.
Medium Spades - Designed for binding post up to 6.6 mm in diameter.
Large Spades - Designed for binding post up to 8.4 mm in diameter.
Extra-large Spades - Designed for binding post up to 10 mm in diameter.
** Note that nearly all stereo and home theater receivers are NOT compatible with spade connectors
Banana Plugs - Banana plug connectors are an industry standard. The only requirement is that your equipment has a 3-way binding post. Note that many 3-way binding post are shipped with a plastic cap that conceals the hole in which the banana plugs must be inserted. These plastic caps are easily removed using a thumb tack. Also avoid another mistake many make, banana plugs are only inserted on the top of binding post, NOT the side like a bare piece of wire.
Other Notes About Monster Lock Connectors
Like Monster Quicklock Connectors, Monster Lock Connectors are packaged and sold in 2 pair packs (4 connectors per pack)
If you already own speaker cables but you like the flexibility the Monster Locks offer; or you want to bi-wire heavier gauge speaker cables you can still take advantage by simply purchasing the Monster Master Pin post separately. They are available in two sizes, small or large. Use the large for the bi-wire side of your heavier gauge speaker wire and the small for all other connections. You will of course need to purchase the Monster Lock Connectors as well unless your equipment has the older spring-loaded terminals.
Flexibility
Monster Master Pin terminated speaker cable with Monster Lock Connectors offers any system great flexibility because you can easily change your terminations as your equipment changes by simply using different combinations of Monster Lock Connectors without the time-consuming hassle of re-terminating the entire speaker cable. Best of all it takes only seconds to make the change.
Current Monster Speaker Cable Products with Master Pin Termination
Unless noted otherwise, all of the following Monster M Series speaker cables are pre-terminated with the Monster Mast Pin terminals. Need longer lengths than what are shown on our site? No problem, we can get longer lengths custom made to fill any need.
Monster Cable M2.4
Monster Cable M2.2
Monster Cable M1.4
Monster Cable M1.2
Monster Cable MCX-2S
Monster Cable MCX-1S Bi-wire
Monster Cable MCX-1S
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