Benchmark NL2 to Banana Cable connector closeup
Benchmark NL2 to Banana Cable Coil
Video start button with photo of John Siau and some cables on a wood box. Text reads Are Cables Snake Oil?
Canare 4S11 cable end showing the star-quad conductors
NL2FXX Connector - front view
NL2FXX connector - side view
NL2FXX connector - top view
Benchmark NL2 to Banana Cable connector closeup
Benchmark NL2 to Banana Cable Coil
Video start button with photo of John Siau and some cables on a wood box. Text reads Are Cables Snake Oil?
Canare 4S11 cable end showing the star-quad conductors
NL2FXX Connector - front view
NL2FXX connector - side view
NL2FXX connector - top view
Benchmark NL2 to Banana Cable connector closeup
Benchmark NL2 to Banana Cable Coil
Video start button with photo of John Siau and some cables on a wood box. Text reads Are Cables Snake Oil?
Canare 4S11 cable end showing the star-quad conductors
NL2FXX Connector - front view
NL2FXX connector - side view
NL2FXX connector - top view

Benchmark Speaker Cable - NL2 to Banana - 2 pole

$98.00 USD
$98.00 USD
Shipping calculated at checkout.
Hand assembled in the USA
Top-Quality Connectors
Star-Quad Construction
Size:
In Stock

SKU: 500-06203-202

Benchmark Speaker Cable - NL2 to Banana - 2 pole

CABLES ARE SOLD INDIVIDUALLY. 
Price is for one cable, order 2 for a stereo pair.

Benchmark Studio&Stage™ Speaker Cables combine the best cable, connectors, and construction techniques in order to offer performance that meets the demands of world-class studios, while providing the strength and reliability required for stage applications.

Features

Compatible with NL2 and NL4 Jacks

These 2-pole cables connect to the +1 and -1 pins in an NL2 or NL4 jack. The +1 pin connects to the red locking banana plug. The -1 pin connects to the black locking banana plug.

The plug used on this cable is a two conductor Neutrik NL2 SpeakON™ connector. It is compatible with the four-conductor NL4 jacks on the back of the AHB2 power amplifier. The NL4 jacks provide two additional contacts (+2 and -2) but these extra contacts are only needed for some bi-amp applications. Use this 2-pole cable for stereo and bridged mono applications.

Top-Quality Connectors

In our lab tests we have found that heavy-duty SpeakON™ connectors consistently outperform spade lugs, pins, and banana plugs. The SpeakON™ connectors provide a reliable low-impedance connection that can withstand high-currents. Of the more traditional speaker connectors, we have found that locking banana plugs provide the next best connections. In contrast, spade lugs and pins often provide poor connections. Spring-type (non-locking) banana plugs almost always provide poor connections and should be avoided.

The Benchmark AHB2 power amplifier is so clean that poor speaker connections can easily create more distortion than the entire power amplifier. We have seen this many times in the lab. The effects of poor speaker connections can easily be measured when testing the AHB2 power amplifier. We have learned that we cannot accurately measure the AHB2 unless we use SpeakON™ connectors or high-quality locking banana connectors.

SpeakON™ connectors also provide convenience and safety. No speaker connector is easier to use, they cannot short out, and they cannot give you a shock.

Star-Quad Construction

This top-quality Benchmark cable features Canare Star-Quad Speaker Cable. Four heavy-duty 14 AWG stranded conductors are combined into two pairs arranged in a star-quad configuration. The combined conductors are equivalent to 11 AWG, but the star-quad configuration reduces magnetic radiation and interference by about 20 dB, making this cable superior to 2-conductor cables.

Applications

Use this cable for connecting an AHB2 power amplifier to a non-Benchmark speaker. Or use this cable to connect a non-Benchmark power amplifier to a Benchmark SMS1 speaker.

  • Use this cable for stereo or bridged-mono applications.
  • Use our 4-pole cables for bi-amp applications.
  • Use our 2-pole NL2 to NL2 cables when connecting a Benchmark AHB2 to Benchmark SMS1 speakers.
California Proposition 65 Warning Warning: Click here for California safety warnings.

Additional Information

N/A

  • 11 AWG effective wire gauge (pair of 14 AWG conductors)
  • 4-wire Star-Quad Configuration
  • Polyethylene Dielectric for low capacitance and improved frequency response
  • DC Resistance < 2.6 Ohms / 1000 ft.
  • Capacitance: 45 pF / ft.
  • Diameter: 0.421 in.
  • Super flexible heavy-duty jacket
  • Heavy-Duty Locking Neutrik NL2FX or NL2FXX Connector on one end
  • Heavy Duty Locking Banana Plugs on one end
  • Hand assembled in USA

Note: The Neutrik NL2FXX is the new replacement for the NL2FX

Overall rating: 4.848485 / 5 from 33 reviews.

AI Generated Review Summary

Benchmark Studio&Stage Speaker Cables offer top-quality connectors and star-quad construction, ensuring reliable low-impedance connections and superior performance for studio and stage applications. The cables are hand-assembled in the USA and provide durability and value for money.

Summary topics

  • Build Quality (20%): A significant number of customers loved the outstanding build quality of the cables, praising their durability and value for money.
  • Connector Performance (30%): A substantial number of customers remarked that the NL2 connector ensures a tight fit and superior connection to the speaker.

Review topics: [].

Review highlights

  • "The locking banana plugs are excellent, the NL2 connectors are rock solid and the weight and build quality is excellent." — AC
  • "Great cables, tight connections, easy to use." — Christopher
  • "Great cables, well built and best connection to speaker posts.I also like the shielding that protects the cables." — E. G.

Reviews

I was already using Canare

"I was already using Canare Star-Quad Speaker Cable with high-quality locking banana connectors in one of my systems. I decided to get the new cables for both of my Benchmark systems primarily for the security and convenience of the SpeakOn connectors for my AHB2 amplifiers. I now can move my source equipment around without worrying about an inadvertent loosening of the speaker cables. I cannot claim to hear any audio improvements, but I couldn't pass up the free cable offer from Benchmark, when buying 2 components. A great thing about the Canare Star-Quad Speaker Cable is that it lays flat and stays where you put it, without trying to coil, unlike the quality 12 gauge speaker cables I previously used."

— Robert F. (5/5)

Excellent quality cables. I think using

"Excellent quality cables. I think using the AHB2 speakon terminals will make a significant sound quality difference. Locking bananas are quality too. Thank you for a non-snake oil product at a reasonable price. Regards. John Crist ee"

— John C. (5/5)

Great sounding cables that doesn’t

"Great sounding cables that doesn’t Break the Bank!! I’m a 40 +year audiophile have listened to many different brands of cable these are hard to beat for the price! Highly recommended."

— Gerry C. (2/5)

Great cables and a perfect

"Great cables and a perfect match for my AHB2. Love the locking banana and SpeakON connectors. They give consistent, high-quality connections."

— Mark D. (5/5)

Speaker Cable Review

"I've ordered several interconnect and speaker cables from Benchmark over the last few years and I've always found them to be excellent. The quality of construction is outstanding and in use, the cables have been trouble-free. This particular speaker cable I purchased was used on my center channel speaker and used with my excellent Benchmark ABH2 amplifier. A wonderful match!"

— Chester H. (5/5)

They sound great. I was

"They sound great. I was never really happy with the spade lugs on my old setup. I enjoyed speaking with John at the capital audio Fest last November and was impressed with the distortion numbers using speak on connections versus spade lugs. Interestingly transparent audio sells a pair of speaker cables believe it or not for $84,000 using spade lugs. I could have purchased 350 pair of the benchmark cables for that price. You guys make a really great professional grade products for a not astronomical price."

— John P. (5/5)

I bought these Benchmark cables

"I bought these Benchmark cables to replace my EQ ZeroPoint cables. The build quality is excellent, the connectors are solid, and installation was effortless. Sound-wise, I was surprised by how similar they were. Benchmark may have a slight edge in fit and finish, but both cables are transparent and let the system do the talking. It turns out the distance between ZeroPoint and Benchmark isn’t exactly infinite. If you’re coming from EQ ZeroPoint, expect great craftsmanship and performance rather than a night-and-day change."

— Jim C. (5/5)

Best Cables and Support!

"Never hesitate to purchase from Benchmark! I came from the commercial side of the audio work and had no experience with XLR at all. Benchmarks Documentation, Videos and most of all its People will help you get what you need."

— William S. (5/5)

Very good cables. . . eventually!

"I have a pair of these running between an AHB2 and a couple of MoFi SourcePoint 10s. They have a very good, strong, punchy, and well-defined sound, but with the ability to convey delicate subtlety if the recording requires it. They took a good 250-300 hours to sound their best, and a once-over with DeoxIT contact cleaner REALLY made them take off and sparkle. They're such a perfect fit for the amp that I'm not considering any substitutions. Highly Recommended!"

— Brian G. (5/5)

Love the quick connect speaker

"Love the quick connect speaker cables"

— Thomas L. (5/5)

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