Kenwood: KES-5, Good Quality 3.5mm connector?

[W6BAR]

Hello everyone!

I purchased a KES-5 Kenwood speaker for use in a mobile setup with a V71A. Of course, I completely forgot a 3.5mm connector was needed. Would anyone have a trusted source for connectors I can use? Perhaps even Made in the USA? Google has not been a huge help/ my search skills definitely lack.

73s

 

[mmckenna]

If you have a musical instrument store in your area, see if they have connectors. Used to be that you could purchase the parts to repair audio cables at those shops. Finding a good 1/8 connector shouldn't be a problem.

If you are going to order online, Switchcraft is a good brand.

 

[AK9R]

Switchcraft is good, but they have always been very proud of their stuff and my experience with their 1/4" phone connectors has been mixed, though better than Radio Shack back in the day.

About the best apparent quality and lowest price and in-stock I could find on Mouser's website was an Amphenol brand plug for $3.33 each:

https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Amphenol-Audio/KM2PB-AU?qs=n8TIfUObqs2dB4AFX9fR6g%3D%3D

Neutrik is another good brand of audio connectors. Mouser sells their REAN brand which may be cheap crap that Neutrik is too proud to put their own name on.

I poked around on the Sweetwater and Guitar Center websites and didn't find any loose 1/8" plugs. Maybe I missed them. Guitar Center has 300 stores and you can find one in just about every major city.

 

[ramal121]

You can search Amazon. Just about any plug will work. I like all metal plugs:

Amazon.com: E-outstanding 3.5mm Mono Plug 5PCS 1/8 Inch TS Mono Mini Stereo Metal Male Jack Adaptor Connector: Electronics

Amazon.com: E-outstanding 3.5mm Mono Plug 5PCS 1/8 Inch TS Mono Mini Stereo Metal Male Jack Adaptor Connector: Electronics

www.amazon.com

But if you are all thumbs when it comes to soldering you can get the screw terminal type:

Amazon.com: CERRXIAN 3.5mm TS Mono Male to 2 Pin Screw Terminal Female AUX Headphone Replacement Solderless Balum Converter Adapter (2-Pack): Electronics

Buy CERRXIAN 3.5mm TS Mono Male to 2 Pin Screw Terminal Female AUX Headphone Replacement Solderless Balum Converter Adapter (2-Pack): Adapters - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

 

[W6BAR]

Awesome. Thanks for the responses all, between all of those I'm sure I'll be able to figure it out!

 

[mmckenna]

Unlikely you'll be plugging/unplugging that speaker frequently. And if you do a decent install, there shouldn't be any strain on it. I doubt you need a high spec connector for that sort of duty.

 

[ladn]

Rather than buy just a connector, why not get a quality cable with connector already attached? Maybe a 1/8" extension cable. Cut off the female end and install it in place of the cable on the speaker. Personally, I'd rather open up a speaker and solder wires to big connectors inside a speaker, than solder wires to tiny connectors on a plug.