Loose XLR connection on Active Speaker?

[Shakermaker Promotions]

Hi all,

I wondered if anyone had any advice they could give me on sorting out this problem I have encountered. One of my DB Technologies Active speakers seems to have a loose XLR connection.

If I connect the XLR lead to it, it will sound fine but if I push it in a little bit harder (apologies for the double entendres), it will get louder. It's as if it isn't connecting fully as it should?

Is this something I can fix myself? If so, how? It's only the one speaker and I only use them for small-ish functions. Any help or advice would be great.

Thanks
Gary

[Excalibur]

Hi all,

I wondered if anyone had any advice they could give me on sorting out this problem I have encountered. One of my DB Technologies Active speakers seems to have a loose XLR connection.

If I connect the XLR lead to it, it will sound fine but if I push it in a little bit harder (apologies for the double entendres), it will get louder. It's as if it isn't connecting fully as it should?

Is this something I can fix myself? If so, how? It's only the one speaker and I only use them for small-ish functions. Any help or advice would be great.

Thanks
Gary
Sometimes low grade XLR connectors don't connect as well as higher grade ones. Often if there's a rubber o-ring fitted, it helps to positively locate the connectors. This is probably one place where it's definitely worth spending extra to get better. ( says the man with a box full of cheap and cheerful. :o :o )

[Shakermaker Promotions]

Cheers but what do you mean? Do you mean decent cables?
Apologies for any confusion but I man the connection on the back of the speaker. If that is on it's way out or needs replacing, how do I go about it?
Thanks again.

[Excalibur]

Cheers but what do you mean? Do you mean decent cables?Apologies for any confusion but I man the connection on the back of the speaker. If that is on it's way out or needs replacing, how do I go about it?
Thanks again.

Yes. And then again, no. :D The actual connector. Usually if you buy a cheap cable, you get a cheap connector. Expensive cable . good connector. This isn't an infallible rule, but it's a good start. Some brands of connector don't mate well with others, and don't ask how to tell first, cos I have no idea. :( :confused:

Re the connector on your cab, if you're lucky it will be screwed in, and be replaceable. The CPC website is down at the moment, so I can't show a link, but the worst case scenario is probably bolting a new one in place, and soldering the wires onto the new one.

I'm sure others with greater knowledge than I will add helpful advice here

Website's back up. Something like this.
http://cpc.farnell.com/neutrik/nc4fdl1/xlr-socket-4p-chassis/dp/CN07185
Locking tab often helps aid security.

[Excalibur]

Oops, wrong number of connectors. :o :o :o :o
Like this.
http://cpc.farnell.com/neutrik/nc3fdl1/xlr-socket-3p-chassis/dp/CN07184?crosssellid=CN07184&crosssell=true&in_merch=true&

[Tony Scott]

Hi all,

I wondered if anyone had any advice they could give me on sorting out this problem I have encountered. One of my DB Technologies Active speakers seems to have a loose XLR connection.

If I connect the XLR lead to it, it will sound fine but if I push it in a little bit harder (apologies for the double entendres), it will get louder. It's as if it isn't connecting fully as it should?

Is this something I can fix myself? If so, how? It's only the one speaker and I only use them for small-ish functions. Any help or advice would be great.

Thanks
Gary

Have you tried a different cable in the affected speaker, are you sure it's the cabinet socket and not the plug on the lead?

If it is the cabinet socket can you post the model so i can search for a picture of the back plate, you may find that the socket is soldered onto a PCB in the amplifier module which will be a bigger, more involved job? :)

[Excalibur]

Have you tried a different cable in the affected speaker, are you sure it's the cabinet socket and not the plug on the lead?
Pretty much what I said. ;)



If it is the cabinet socket can you post the model so i can search for a picture of the back plate, you may find that the socket is soldered onto a PCB in the amplifier module which will be a bigger, more involved job? :)
Ah. The worst case scenario which I'd overlooked. :o :o :o :o

[Tony Scott]

Pretty much what I said. ;)

... so you did, must stop skim reading :o :beer1:

[Shakermaker Promotions]

Thanks guys.
Tony, I've been looking around the 'net for pictures of the backplate and there are only pictures of the Basic 200 which is a less powerful model but it looks more or less the same design. Here's an example.
Yes, I have tried different XLR leads with it and I would say that it's definitely the connection on the back of the speaker.

http://www.geluidenlichtshop.nl/images/luidsprekers/actieve_luidsprekers/db-basic-400.jpg

[Excalibur]

Aha! Possible easy fix/fault finding chance. Try using the jack socket with a cable like this, see if it saves taking the cab to bits.

http://cpc.farnell.com/jsp/search/productdetail.jsp?id=AV12936&Ntt=AV12936

[Shakermaker Promotions]

Hi mate,

You mean XLR from mixer straight to 1/4 inch? I have a few of those leads so will try them.

(I don't have that particular lead but I guess 2 x XLR to 1/4 inch will be fine?)

[Excalibur]

Hi mate,

You mean XLR from mixer straight to 1/4 inch? I have a few of those leads so will try them.

(I don't have that particular lead but I guess 2 x XLR to 1/4 inch will be fine?)

Sort of, yes. Aha, the penny drops. My mistake. I get mixed up with subs and tops in the active cabs. :o :o

Two of XLR female to stereo jack balanced cables are exactly what's needed. ( cpc site down again. :( :( )

Ordinary mic cables ( xlr female to mono jack )will do fine for comparison purposes.

[Excalibur]

This style.
http://cpc.farnell.com/pro-signal/psg01343/xlr-socket-to-6-35mm-stereo-jack/dp/AV14511

[TONYTIGER]

Hi Gary,
The Db range often suffer with this problem as i have a number of them in our hire stock the xlr connector is fitted to a large pc board that is bolted to the back plate which also has the amp module hung on it it is the pressure when you push it in that is the problem as i suspect there is a dry joint also does the pot (volume controll) function ok as these are known to give out ,any way you will see when you take the back plate off it is quite a long task to get at the pc board to de solder the xlr as it is a pc mount type so you have to strip down quite a bit just to get the iron in there,just take your time and make sure you do not use to much heat and damage the other circuits on the board,hope this helps.
Tony

[CRAZY K]

Hi Gary,
The Db range often suffer with this problem as i have a number of them in our hire stock the xlr connector is fitted to a large pc board that is bolted to the back plate which also has the amp module hung on it it is the pressure when you push it in that is the problem as i suspect there is a dry joint also does the pot (volume controll) function ok as these are known to give out ,any way you will see when you take the back plate off it is quite a long task to get at the pc board to de solder the xlr as it is a pc mount type so you have to strip down quite a bit just to get the iron in there,just take your time and make sure you do not use to much heat and damage the other circuits on the board,hope this helps.
Tony

Sounds like a job for the Disco shop to me---if they :Censored: up they pay.

If you :Censored: up you pay even more:eek:

Your busy Gary, its tax deductable;)

[Shakermaker Promotions]

Thanks for all the help and advice guys. It's not something I want to try myself so I will get someone to sort it for me.
Tony - What you have mentioned is spot on. When I plug the XLR in normally, it sounds ok but if I push it in a bit harder to the connection, the volume improves. Will this be the same (I haven't tested yet but I'll ask anyway) if the 1/4 inch is used as mentioned above or is it on the same board so will make no difference?

I like the speakers, light, quite powerful and ideal for small parties but they do need servicing by the looks of it.

[CRAZY K]

:D
Thanks for all the help and advice guys. It's not something I want to try myself so I will get someone to sort it for me.
Tony - What you have mentioned is spot on. When I plug the XLR in normally, it sounds ok but if I push it in a bit harder to the connection, the volume improves. Will this be the same (I haven't tested yet but I'll ask anyway) if the 1/4 inch is used as mentioned above or is it on the same board so will make no difference?

I like the speakers, light, quite powerful and ideal for small parties but they do need servicing by the looks of it.

Is there a choice of XLR and jack for a reason---or is everything the same:confused:

I thought XLR was a balanced lead and gave better quality--or is that only for Microphones:confused:

Not that I can ever tell the difference when I use a jack (unbalanced) lead
for my Radio Mike.

[Excalibur]

Thanks for all the help and advice guys. It's not something I want to try myself so I will get someone to sort it for me.
Tony - What you have mentioned is spot on. When I plug the XLR in normally, it sounds ok but if I push it in a bit harder to the connection, the volume improves. Will this be the same (I haven't tested yet but I'll ask anyway) if the 1/4 inch is used as mentioned above or is it on the same board so will make no difference?

I like the speakers, light, quite powerful and ideal for small parties but they do need servicing by the looks of it.
Seems to me Tony's had experience of this exact fault. From his description, I'd say getting an expert to do it would be the way to go. It would however be interesting to see if the same problem occurs with the jack socket.

:D

Is there a choice of XLR and jack for a reason---or is everything the same:confused:

I thought XLR was a balanced lead and gave better quality--or is that only for Microphones:confused:

Not that I can ever tell the difference when I use a jack (unbalanced) lead
for my Radio Mike.

On there, as with some other items, it's not technically a choice, as they're linked to each other. Mnay amps have the same options.

The 1/4" TRS can also be balanced.
This
http://cpc.farnell.com/pro-signal/psg01343/xlr-socket-to-6-35mm-stereo-jack/dp/AV14511
is effectively the same as
http://cpc.farnell.com/dgs-pro-audio/730-0030/microphone-lead-3m-nickel/dp/AV00464
but with the XLR plug swapped for 1/4" TRS


On short runs, for single items, with no other cables interfering too much with it, I'm told it will make little difference, if any.

Longer runs, splits into other items, and nearby mains cables and you will notice the difference.

[TONYTIGER]

Hi,yes the jack is all connected to the same board i had to replace a pot on one recently took two hours to strip down and 2 min to repair ,theres one good thing if you take the back plate of it just unplugs from the main cab so you can send it away for repair rather than the whole cab.

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Ok, Tony...if I did that and sent it to you, how much would I be looking at for the repair?

Thanks again.

[TONYTIGER]

Hi,to be honest i just dont have the time this time of year and im only self taught dont mind mucking up on my own gear ,who is your local DB outlet .Andy at Batmink (Glastonbury) is a great service engineer may be worth a try but not sure as the item was not purchased from them best of luck im sure you will get it sorted just be gentle with them in the mean time