There are a number of different connectors found on cables. Here are a few of the most common:

1/4" TS: This is the standard plug you will see on the end of a guitar cable. It is also used on many speaker cables, although it is gradually being phased out in favor of "Speakon" connectors (see below). It is important that 1/4" speaker cables and 1/4" guitar cables not be confused. "TS" stands for Tip-Sleeve, describing the 2 conductors on the plug. Also commonly called a "Phone Plug." A typical 1/4" TS plug looks like this:

1/4" TRS: This plug is similar to the 1/4" TS plug, with the addition of a third conductor, known as the Ring. "TRS" stands for Tip-Ring-Sleeve, describing the 3 conductors. 1/4" TRS connectors are used in balanced cables. They are sometimes called "Stereo 1/4" Cables." Here is an example of a typical 1/4" TRS plug:

XLR: XLR plugs are the 3-pin connectors found on standard microphone cables. XLR cables are also balanced cables. They are sometimes referred to as "Cannon" plugs, after the company that first introduced them. An XLR cable has a female connector on the microphone end and a male connector on the mixer/amp end. Female (left) and male (right) XLR plugs are shown below:

 

              

Banana (MDP): "Banana" plugs are used on speaker cables and connect to power amps with binding post outputs. Banana plugs can be "piggy-backed" by plugging one plug into the back of another, allowing easy connection of multiple speakers. Banana plugs are also called MDP plugs. Here is an example:

Speakon: Speakon connectors are a newer type of connector that are gradually replacing 1/4" plugs on speaker cables. Speakon connectors lock into place, making them more secure than 1/4" cables. In addition, Speakon connectors are only used on speaker cables, not on instrument cables. This helps avoid the potential problem of accidentally using an instrument cable instead of a speaker cable. Speakon connectors are sometimes called "Neutrik" connectors, after the manufacturer. This has been known to cause some confusion, however, as Neutrik manufactures several other types of connectors. Speakon connectorslook like this: