speakon versus 1 or 4

Which route do you take, and why? Personally, I run a speakon out from my head to cab #1, and if a second cab is neccessary, a 1/4" daisy chain. But, why are the majority of cabs made with 1 speakon, and 2 1/4"?? Isn't the point of a speakon to retain quality as well as locking security?