Which type of leads ?

[Chris]

Assuming everything else is equal, and you were going for the best quality sound, which type of leads from the amp to speakers would you go for?

[Corabar Steve]

Are you talking make or model?

[katman]

Nice thick copper with good quality connectors. :)

[Chris]

Are you talking make or model?
Either and both.


Nice thick copper with good quality connectors. :)
Many thanks - will bear that in mind - any particular make and model?

[katman]

Many thanks - will bear that in mind - any particular make and model?

I dont buy ready made speaker leads I make my own. Good quality 2.5mm 2 or 4 core cable depending on the application and Neutrix Speakon connectors.

[Pe7e]

Van Damme cables are well respected, but not cheap.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

I use Van Damme and Neutrik mostly.

[Chris]

Many thanks for all the replies, getting some good ideas. Would any answers on getting top quality sound, be any different if the speakers were active speakers please?

[Corabar Steve]

Yep, the connection type would be XLR as opposed to Speakon

[Chris]

Yep, the connection type would be XLR as opposed to Speakon
Thanks.

So, just to clarify, for top quality sound, all the possible connections from amps to active speakers could be:
* Good quality 2.5mm 2 or 4 core cable depending on the application with Neutrix Speakon connectors.
* XLR
* Speakon

Any others ?

[Jiggles]

If you have active speakers then having the signal from another amp into the speakers input will fry the speaker! Actives you need XLR -XLR (Preferably!) and for passives a Speakon - Jack/ Speakon cable. For a XLR - XLR good cable and connectors (Neutrik) The cable doesn't need to be all singing and dancing just needs to hold up. As for speaker cables doesn't really matter at all! My best hard wearing cables are made from mains flex! I needed a extra set at last minute and thats all the cable I had and works better than the real stuff. Lasted longer too!

[katman]

2.5mm 2 or 4 core from Amps to PASSIVE speakers.

For mixer to ACTIVE speakers you need two core screened cable for a balanced line signal

[flatliners]

have been told these are supposed to be good should be for the price http://www.stringsdirect.co.uk/products/916-planet_waves_pw_ms_25_xlr_swivel_25ft_cable_

[Chris]

Thanks for the ideas peeps - it's appreciated. So, if you were going for the best quality sound, and with everything else being equal, from amp to ACTIVE speakers you need two core screened cable? Would that be about right?

[katman]

Thanks for the ideas peeps - it's appreciated. So, if you were going for the best quality sound, and with everything else being equal, from amp to ACTIVE speakers you need two core screened cable? Would that be about right?

ACTIVE speakers have the AMPS built in. You feed them with a line level signal from your MIXER using two core screened cable.

If you are using PASSIVE Speakers then you go from your mixer to amp with screened cable then from the AMP to SPEAKER with heavy gauge 2 or 4 core speaker cable.

[Corabar Steve]

ACTIVE speakers have the AMPS built in.
No they don't.

Active speakers have an active crossover built in. Powered speakers have amps built in.

We went through all of this about a month ago

AND THERE'S NO NEED TO SHOUT! :sj:


Thanks for the ideas peeps - it's appreciated. So, if you were going for the best quality sound, and with everything else being equal, from amp to ACTIVE speakers you need two core screened cable? Would that be about right?
Chris, what exactly are you running to & from?

I'm talking makes & models here. I'm asking as there is begining to be some confusion asto what you actually need.

[Chris]

As usual, getting some good help - thanks. There's no mixer involved - the setup goes from laptop to external soundcard to amplifier to speakers, which will be the speakers just bought, rcf art 712 powered and active speakers. Have only just got the 712's and haven't had a chance to see them in action yet. The current amp only gives out 350 watts and need to replace with another amp that can give better sound in line with the 712's.

[Excalibur]

As usual, getting some good help - thanks. There's no mixer involved - the setup goes from laptop to external soundcard to amplifier to speakers, which will be the speakers just bought, rcf art 712 powered and active speakers. Have only just got the 712's and haven't had a chance to see them in action yet. The current amp only gives out 350 watts and need to replace with another amp that can give better sound in line with the 712's.

Hold on there, I'm thinking we're short one mixer here, and dangerously ovr subscribed with amplifiers!! :eek: :eek:

Chris, please please don't connect the ( speaker ) output of an amp to the RCF's, there will be a very expensive bang.

[Corabar Steve]

Let him do it, it's been spelt out clearly enough in the other thread (although I've included quote below in case you missed it Chris)

Having looked at RCF's website I'm inclined to agree with chrisj.



There is no Art 712 without an "A" suffix The speakers you're referring to (Art 712-A, assuming they haven't discontinued a previously available unpowered version) already have a built in amp. You need to send a line level signal from your mixer to the speaker.



No additional amplification is needed.

Do you actually have these speakers in your possession? Surely it's evident whether or not they have a bult in amp or not. Can you post a link to the speakers you're talking about please?Could I especially draw your attention th the question in red, the request in blue & the point made in purple

[Excalibur]

Let him do it, it's been spelt out clearly enough in the other thread (although I've included quote below in case you missed it Chris)


As I said somewhere, I'm a little confused at the apparent lack of a mixer in this instance. I'm sort of hoping that the alleged "Amp" in this case is in fact a mixer. ;)

[Corabar Steve]

As I said somewhere, I'm a little confused at the apparent lack of a mixer in this instance. I'm sort of hoping that the alleged "Amp" in this case is in fact a mixer. ;)
Some DJ programs have a for want of a better word "virtual" mixer do they not? Coming from that to a set of powered speakers would work as detailed would it not?

However I awaiit a full answer to my earlier question before I can advise further.

[Excalibur]

Some DJ programs have a for want of a better word "virtual" mixer do they not? Coming from that to a set of powered speakers would work as detailed would it not?
.

They do indeed exist, and it would indeed work. It would be a far from ideal arrangement though, in my opinion.

[Chris]

Hold on there, I'm thinking we're short one mixer here, and dangerously ovr subscribed with amplifiers!! :eek: :eek:

Chris, please please don't connect the ( speaker ) output of an amp to the RCF's, there will be a very expensive bang.
Thanks for the friendly help, it's appreciated. Okay, let's start again, I have been using a laptop to mixer to amp to speakers for a while, but the speakers weren't powered or active. The situation now, is a laptop that I connect to an external soundcard, and I have a pair of (powered and active) ART 712's, I don't have anything to mix, so don't want to use a mixer anywhere and am obviously trying to keep to a bare minimum, the number of items in between the source of music to the speakers. I remember a setup I used a few years ago, where I went from a laptop-amp-speakers, without any mixer, but those speakers weren't active or powered.

[Jiggles]

You WILL need a mixer of some description. With out one you have little to know control over the sound that comes out the speakers!

Here is a simple diagram for you to understand what you need for each. What you want to look at is the first part of the diagram.

13836

[Corabar Steve]

:banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana:

[Chris]

You WILL need a mixer of some description. With out one you have little to know control over the sound that comes out the speakers!

Here is a simple diagram for you to understand what you need for each. What you want to look at is the first part of the diagram.

13836
Many thanks jiggles, the sound card has a mic input and volume control, so was hoping to get away without a mixer, but no worries and thanks again for your help. We all have to start somewhere! Would a mixer have any influence on the quality of sound coming out of the speakers?

[Excalibur]

Assuming everything else is equal, and you were going for the best quality sound, which type of leads from the amp to speakers would you go for?

Right, now that we've set some ground rules, let's have a bash at this.
Leads: Neutrik, Van Damme.
Sound Card: Maya, Gigaport, and there are some of even higher spec that I've forgotten. They're not cheap.
Mixer: Denon, Pioneer. ( Not forgetting Allen and Heath, Urei, and some of the Soundcraft in the bigger ones. )

Software mixers will not produce an acceptable control of the sound, for that you need a hardware one. Cheap soundcards are also a bad idea, usually. And apart from a range of laptops fitted with some very nice sound cards, the headphones socket on the laptop should be regarded as for emergency use only.

Hope this helps.

[Jiggles]

Baer sound quality then have a mixer. It means that there is a short unballenced lead ie from the laptop. To pick up interference. Then the mixer will create a ballenced signal to feed your speakers.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Many thanks jiggles, the sound card has a mic input and volume control, so was hoping to get away without a mixer,

Why on earth would you use a decent set of cabs and no mixer? :confused:

[Excalibur]

Baer sound quality then have a mixer. It means that there is a short unballenced lead ie from the laptop. To pick up interference. Then the mixer will create a ballenced signal to feed your speakers.

Any chance of that in something approaching English? :confused: :D :D

[Chris]

Right, now that we've set some ground rules, let's have a bash at this.
Leads: Neutrik, Van Damme.
Sound Card: Maya, Gigaport, and there are some of even higher spec that I've forgotten. They're not cheap.
Mixer: Denon, Pioneer. ( Not forgetting Allen and Heath, Urei, and some of the Soundcraft in the bigger ones. )

Software mixers will not produce an acceptable control of the sound, for that you need a hardware one. Cheap soundcards are also a bad idea, usually. And apart from a range of laptops fitted with some very nice sound cards, the headphones socket on the laptop should be regarded as for emergency use only.

Hope this helps.
Thanks - the info and help is appreciated. The external soundcard is a Soundblaster Tru studio Pro, so, one step at a time and going for top quality sound, what leads would go from the Soundblaster sound card to the mixer please? Would they be the Neutrik ones mentioned above?

[spin mobile disco]

A 3.5mm stereo to twin phono cable.

[WWDJ]

A 3.5mm stereo to twin phono cable.

Are you sure?

if the soundcard is this one ... it looks like a standard phono-phono cable will be required.

http://www.newlaunches.com/entry_images/1110/18/Creative-Sound-Blaster-X-Fi-Surround-5.1-Pro-1.jpg

[Chris]

Are you sure?

if the soundcard is this one ... it looks like a standard phono-phono cable will be required.

http://www.newlaunches.com/entry_images/1110/18/Creative-Sound-Blaster-X-Fi-Surround-5.1-Pro-1.jpg
Yep, it is that one.

[spin mobile disco]

the green output is a standard stereo 3.5mm but as it has phono you could use that or the phono to phono leads

[katman]

the green output is a standard stereo 3.5mm but as it has phono you could use that or the phono to phono leads

The green 3.5mm jack will have an extra amplifier in the soundcard as that is inteneded to drive headphones. You would be better using the phono sockets as the signal is likely to be cleaner and also it is a more reliable connector.

As an aside, if you are using virtual DJ you should be able to configure it to give 3 stereo outputs, one for left deck, one for right deck and one for jingles then you can feed them as separate signals into a proper mixer and have full PFL and Tone control for each channel. Thats what I do both with my laptop + 5.1 USB soundcard and also my desktop with 7.1 channel soundcard.

[Chris]

The green 3.5mm jack will have an extra amplifier in the soundcard as that is inteneded to drive headphones. You would be better using the phono sockets as the signal is likely to be cleaner and also it is a more reliable connector.

As an aside, if you are using virtual DJ you should be able to configure it to give 3 stereo outputs, one for left deck, one for right deck and one for jingles then you can feed them as separate signals into a proper mixer and have full PFL and Tone control for each channel. Thats what I do both with my laptop + 5.1 USB soundcard and also my desktop with 7.1 channel soundcard.
Thanks for the good info - it's appreciated. I don't see a connection called phono on that soundcard?

[katman]

The phono sockets labelled left and right out

[Chris]

The phono sockets labelled left and right out
The cable that came with the soundcard, had 2 connectors at one end, (one red and one white one), I guess they plug into the left and right line outs, BUT, at the other end of that cable is just one connector?? Is that right? Surely, the left and right outputs should be kept separate?

[DJ Jules]

The cable that came with the soundcard, had 2 connectors at one end, (one red and one white one), I guess they plug into the left and right line outs, BUT, at the other end of that cable is just one connector?? Is that right? Surely, the left and right outputs should be kept separate?

It depends what the connector is on the other end...

Ditch the cable, listen to the advice given already :D

Julian

[Chris]

Have managed to get an image of the mixer connections below (top image), (the soundcard connections (bottom image) are also below), which type, make and model of leads would you use for the optimum quality sound, from the soundcard to the mixer please? Would these also be Neutriks?

[DJ Jules]

Twin phono cable. Connecting the Phono (labelled "Left" and "Right") on the soundcard to a set of Phono connectors on the CDMix (labelled "Inputs")

http://www.maplin.co.uk/twin-phono-plug-to-plug-leads-1020 (part number L05BA)*

Julian

* Mods - note the link to Maplin's is intentional - if slightly facetious :D

[Chris]

Twin phono cable. Connecting the Phono (labelled "Left" and "Right") on the soundcard to a set of Phono connectors on the CDMix (labelled "Inputs")

http://www.maplin.co.uk/twin-phono-plug-to-plug-leads-1020 (part number L05BA)*

Julian
Thanks Julian - is there any impact on the quaility of sound with those cables please? (Been djing for many years, but now looking to get every part in the right place for better quality sound).

[Corabar Steve]

* Mods - note the link to Maplin's is intentional - if slightly facetious :D
I would hope so too, they're of the same quality as the ones that come for free in every piece of hi-fi of disco kit that we all disgard in favour of better ones.

Chris, absolute minimum quality you want would be something like these http://cpc.farnell.com/pro-signal/psg00278/gold-2x-phono-plugs-to-plugs-1/dp/AV13876?Ntt=av13876 or even these http://cpc.farnell.com/pro-signal/psg00793/hq-lead-2x-phono-p-p-1m/dp/AV14256?Ntt=av14256 (Both of which I have used in the past & are a noticable improvement on the bog standard red & whites)

Something like these http://cpc.farnell.com/pro-signal/psg03002/2x-phono-lead-hq-1-8m/dp/AV17653?Ntt=av17653

Or going to further extremes http://cpc.farnell.com/puresonic/9020a-1m/puresonic-9020a-hd-lead-1m/dp/AV01166?Ntt=av01166

& those are just ones I've found in the CPC catalogue.

[Chris]

I would hope so too, they're of the same quality as the ones that come for free in every piece of hi-fi of disco kit that we all disgard in favour of better ones.

Chris, absolute minimum quality you want would be something like these http://cpc.farnell.com/pro-signal/psg00278/gold-2x-phono-plugs-to-plugs-1/dp/AV13876?Ntt=av13876 or even these http://cpc.farnell.com/pro-signal/psg00793/hq-lead-2x-phono-p-p-1m/dp/AV14256?Ntt=av14256 (Both of which I have used in the past & are a noticable improvement on the bog standard red & whites)

Something like these http://cpc.farnell.com/pro-signal/psg03002/2x-phono-lead-hq-1-8m/dp/AV17653?Ntt=av17653

Or going to further extremes http://cpc.farnell.com/puresonic/9020a-1m/puresonic-9020a-hd-lead-1m/dp/AV01166?Ntt=av01166

& those are just ones I've found in the CPC catalogue.
Thanks Steve - I don't mind paying out a few more shekels for something that is noticeably better! Would there be a noticeable positive difference, between:
http://cpc.farnell.com/pro-signal/psg03002/2x-phono-lead-hq-1-8m/dp/AV17653?Ntt=av17653

and:

http://cpc.farnell.com/puresonic/9020a-1m/puresonic-9020a-hd-lead-1m/dp/AV01166?Ntt=av01166

As a matter of interest, which ones do you currently use?

[Corabar Steve]

is there any impact on the quaility of sound with those cables please?
Yes, they're crap! :sj:

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Thanks Julian - is there any impact on the quaility of sound with those cables please? (Been djing for many years, but now looking to get every part in the right place for better quality sound).

Then get a decent mixer and ditch the Numark CD mix. You can't polish a turd and there's absolutely no point spending out on expensive cables if you are using a cheap mixer or speakers.

Oh, and as for interconnects, I have used the cheapest phono leads to very expensive and there's hardly any difference in sound quality if you aren't using high end gear.

[Corabar Steve]

Thanks Steve - I don't mind paying out a few more shekels for something that is noticeably better! Would there be a noticeable positive difference, between:
http://cpc.farnell.com/pro-signal/psg03002/2x-phono-lead-hq-1-8m/dp/AV17653?Ntt=av17653

and:

http://cpc.farnell.com/puresonic/9020a-1m/puresonic-9020a-hd-lead-1m/dp/AV01166?Ntt=av01166

As a matter of interest, which ones do you currently use?
TBH, I don't think there would be over your average disco system. As long as the connections are of a better quality to the red & whites & the cable is thicker. Over short runs such as between a CD player & a mixer or your soundcard to a mixer, it shouldn't make that much of a difference (as long as you bin the thin ones)

Not sure what's on my rig at the mo (quite possibly one of the above), but the ones I linked to are certainly still in service on some of our kit. Pro Signal isn't top of the range by any stretch, but they are good quality cables that don't break the bank (you can afford to carry as many spares as you have cables in use)

[Excalibur]

Yes, they're crap! :sj:

Just a little note for the impecunious and less fastidious among us. The El Cheapo cables will be absolutely fine as long as they're not laid alongside loads of 240v cables, and are never disturbed or unplugged. My cases are full of them.

Now, the cables that are connected and disconnected every week, and then coiled up in the boxes, well that's another matter entirely. Even a fully accredited Tightwad like myself hasto bite the bullet, unlock the wallet, and exchange coin of the realm for some better quality and more robust cables.

Even then, I doubt whether many of us would hear the difference between the sonud relayed by them, it's more the reliability we're paying for.

Chris, the cable with a red and a white at one end, I'll lay odds it's got a green one at the other end. 3.5mm, three segments. Put it in the box of odds and ends, for one day it may just get you out of a hole, in an emergency.

[Corabar Steve]

Oh, and as for interconnects, I have used the cheapest phono leads to very expensive and there's hardly any difference in sound quality if you aren't using high end gear.
I beg to differ, there was a noticeable improvement between the ones I linked to & free red & whites when using HD2500, X500, P5000s & CD15. I will partially agree however as swapping these for various higher quality leads (although to be fair not £30 /£40 a pop) has resulted in no further improvement, hence my comments above.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

I beg to differ, there was a noticeable improvement between the ones I linked to & free red & whites when using HD2500, X500, P5000s & CD15. I will partially agree however as swapping these for various higher quality leads (although to be fair not £30 /£40 a pop) has resulted in no further improvement, hence my comments above.

Using higher grade interconnects with £150 el cheapo speakers is not going to gain you a lot of ground improving your sound, the same as using higher grade interconnects with a cheap mixer won't improve anything either.

[Corabar Steve]

Just a little note for the impecunious and less fastidious among us. The El Cheapo cables will be absolutely fine as long as they're not laid alongside loads of 240v cables
In a lot of instances this just isn't possible though is it. Why can't manufacturers agree between themselves & have power up one end & signal inputs / outputs the other as a standard‽

[Corabar Steve]

Using higher grade interconnects with £150 el cheapo speakers is not going to gain you a lot of ground improving your sound, the same as using higher grade interconnects with a cheap mixer won't improve anything either.
Just as well I used £100 a pair el cheapo speakers in my example above then, or I'd think you were calling Angela & I liars.

P.S. Can you tell me where I can get RCF 712s for £100?:sj:

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Just as well I used £100 a pair el cheapo speakers in my example above then, or I'd think you were calling Angela & I liars.

Grow up Steve.

[Excalibur]

Just as well I used £100 a pair el cheapo speakers in my example above then, or I'd think you were calling Angela & I liars.

Now now Ladies, step away from the :handbag: and play nicely, or Uncle Peter will have to send you to stand in the corner. :Naughty:

You both know full well that an audio system only sounds as good as its weakest link, whatever that may be. Now play nicely.

[Corabar Steve]

Re-read my post, then re-read yours. How does it look to you?

I swapped the leads, we noticed an improvement. Fact!

You categorically stated that it would not improve the sound. It did. As I said above, I don't think there is much advantage to getting even higher grade leads for your average disco (or even an above average one), but getting rid of the thin leads does help.

I agree that lesser quality mixers / speakers / whatever will never give "best quality sound" that Chris mentioned in his first post. Although isn't that relative‽

Numark & RCF are hardly budget brands, all things being equal, shouldn't it be possible to get the "best quality sound" for what you have to hand (be it Citronic, Numark, Denon, Pioneer, Studiomaster, A&H, or Prosound) by improving the little things, as my example above has shown.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Now now Ladies, step away from the :handbag: and play nicely, or Uncle Peter will have to send you to stand in the corner. :Naughty:

You both know full well that an audio system only sounds as good as its weakest link, whatever that may be. Now play nicely.

I don't really need your patronising post, thank you. I put my opinion which differs to Steve. No handbags involved.

Steve is being childish by inferring that I am calling him and Angela liars.

Pathetic and not needed.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

You categorically stated that it would not improve the sound.

I don't think it would. Not with a cheap sound system.

[Excalibur]

Re-read my post, then re-read yours. How does it look to you?

I swapped the leads, we noticed an improvement. Fact!

You categorically stated that it would not improve the sound. It did. As I said above, I don't think there is much advantage to getting even higher grade leads for your average disco (or even an above average one), but getting rid of the thin leads does help

I'll agree Steve that going up a step from the "free" leads might lead to an audible improvement in sound quality, but after that, I wouldn't expect to find any benefit from spending extra money on cables, other than reliability.

[Corabar Steve]

I don't think it would. Not with a cheap sound system.
Although clearly it did. OK the sound went from Denon to Denon through Yamaha, but it ended up in Class D & you can't get much cheaper.

[Corabar Steve]

I'll agree Steve that going up a step from the "free" leads might lead to an audible improvement in sound quality, but after that, I wouldn't expect to find any benefit from spending extra money on cables, other than reliability.
Which is exactly what I said.

It does, we've proven it. I'm guessing it's down to less resistance in the wire? I don't know.

[Chris]

Then get a decent mixer and ditch the Numark CD mix. You can't polish a turd and there's absolutely no point spending out on expensive cables if you are using a cheap mixer or speakers.
I will be getting a new mixer, but not yet, so am getting the best I can at each stage.

[DJ Jules]

It does, we've proven it. I'm guessing it's down to less resistance in the wire? I don't know.

The differences are usually down to:

1. Quality of contact at the connectors (i.e. gold plated connectors will produce better contact - having said that the Numark has tin plated connectors, so that'll be the weakest link)

2. Quality of cable (oxygen free cable in theory won't oxidise inside the sheaf meaning that the individual conductors will have better contact with each other meaning that breaks in the individual conductors in the cable will have less effect on the conductivity of the cable overall).

3. Quality of shielding inside the cable (how well the outer weave covers the inner conductor - though every unbalanced cable will be subject to some interference as no shielding is perfect).

4. Quality of shielding in the connectors (i.e. how well the connector is constructed to protect the inner wire between the end of the shield in the cable itself and the outer ring in the connector).

5. Lower capacitance in the cable and connectors and connections.

In theory small differences in the cable resistance won't make much difference because it's feeding a relatively high impedance input (10k ohms or similar from memory?) Capacitance in the connections will though as adding a capacitor in line with the cable would result in a high pass filter (filtering off bass) and capacitance between conductors in the cable will result in a low pass filter (i.e. the high frequencies being filtered out).

For the majority of uses though, relatively cheap cables (sub £10) will do the job fine with little noticeable difference in sound (unless the £1 cable is partly faulty or one or more connectors in the line are heavily oxidised).

The major difference between a £1 cable and a £10 cable will be the construction (conductor thicknesses, durability of the connectors, etc) meaning a £10 cable is likely to last a while on the road, whereas a £1 one that is frequently disconnected will probably become unreliable within a few months.

Julian

[Chris]

I would hope so too, they're of the same quality as the ones that come for free in every piece of hi-fi of disco kit that we all disgard in favour of better ones.

Chris, absolute minimum quality you want would be something like these http://cpc.farnell.com/pro-signal/psg00278/gold-2x-phono-plugs-to-plugs-1/dp/AV13876?Ntt=av13876 or even these http://cpc.farnell.com/pro-signal/psg00793/hq-lead-2x-phono-p-p-1m/dp/AV14256?Ntt=av14256 (Both of which I have used in the past & are a noticable improvement on the bog standard red & whites)

Something like these http://cpc.farnell.com/pro-signal/psg03002/2x-phono-lead-hq-1-8m/dp/AV17653?Ntt=av17653

Or going to further extremes http://cpc.farnell.com/puresonic/9020a-1m/puresonic-9020a-hd-lead-1m/dp/AV01166?Ntt=av01166

& those are just ones I've found in the CPC catalogue.
Well, unless anyone here suggests otherwise, I'll buy the ones on the link below :
http://cpc.farnell.com/puresonic/9020a-1m/puresonic-9020a-hd-lead-1m/dp/AV01166?Ntt=av01166

[Chris]

Just trying to get the xlr leads to go from the mixer to the 712 active powered speakers, and on advice from here am trying to get Neutriks, but, what's the differences between Connector Type A and Connector Type B? Also, are there any particular Neutrik speaker leads going from a mixer to powered acive speakers please? Lastly, I've seen some setups, where one speaker lead would go from the mixer or amp to a speaker and then, another lead would go from that speaker to another speaker? I've always been used to one lead going from the amp or mixer to one speaker and then another lead going from the mixer or amp to the other speaker. Why would the first way be used?? Is one way better than the other?

[DJ Jules]

Just trying to get the xlr leads to go from the mixer to the 712 active powered speakers, and on advice from here am trying to get Neutriks, but, what's the differences between Connector Type A and Connector Type B?

Errr, Type A/B Neutriks are Speakon connectors, not XLR. You need something like this:

Stagg SMC10 10m XLR-XLR Microphone Cable: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics

You daisy chain speakers (connect from mixer to speaker 1 and then to speaker 2 and then to speaker 3, etc) when you're running more than one off the same channel (and your speakers support this configuration). In normal use you'd go from mixer to speaker for each speaker.

RTFM - I'm sure there's a diagram which shows this in the Numark docs.

[Chris]

[QUOTE=Chris;597042]Just trying to get the xlr leads to go from the mixer to the 712 active powered speakers, and on advice from here am trying to get Neutriks, but, what's the differences between Connector Type A and Connector Type B?

Errr, Type A/B Neutriks are Speakon connectors, not XLR. You need something like this:

Stagg SMC10 10m XLR-XLR Microphone Cable: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Stagg-SMC10-XLR-XLR-Microphone-Cable/dp/B000OLTYH0)

You daisy chain speakers (connect from mixer to speaker 1 and then to speaker 2 and then to speaker 3, etc) when you're running more than one off the same channel (and your speakers support this configuration). In normal use you'd go from mixer to speaker for each speaker.
Thanks. Neutriks were highly recommended in this thread, is it not possible to get Neutrik xlr's ?

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Yes you can get Neutrik XLRS - go on Ebay and search for Neutrik and Van Damme XLR male to female and you should get a few pages back.

You should par around £15+delivery for one 5m cable.

[Chris]

Yes you can get Neutrik XLRS - go on Ebay and search for Neutrik and Van Damme XLR male to female and you should get a few pages back.

You should par around £15+delivery for one 5m cable.
Thanks for that - I'll check out ebay - I have been wary about buying particular items from that site, in case of any problems, but hopefully the leads will be good. The ones I need would be female at each end.

[DJ Jules]

Thanks. Neutriks were highly recommended in this thread, is it not possible to get Neutrik xlr's ?

Sorry - yes, you can get Neutrik XLR's, but the Type A/B reference relates to Speakon connectors specifically.

As the man says - eBay :)

Julian

[katman]

The ones I need would be female at each end.

That would be extremely unusual for an XLR lead. They should always be Male to Female. The beauty of XLR is that if a lead isnt long enough you just plug two together.

The output of a piece of equipment should always be male and the input female.

[Jiggles]

£10. http://www.audiospares.com/product.php?productid=499&cat=554&page=1. Good cables too! :)

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

£10. http://www.audiospares.com/product.php?productid=499&cat=554&page=1. Good cables too! :)

That's the company I buy from, but on Ebay and I tend to get Van Damme cable which is slightly more expensive.

[Chris]

That would be extremely unusual for an XLR lead. They should always be Male to Female. The beauty of XLR is that if a lead isnt long enough you just plug two together.

The output of a piece of equipment should always be male and the input female.
The connections for the mixer and 712 rcf speakers are below:

[Corabar Steve]

The sockets shown are male outs on the mixer (female end of the lead) & female ins on the speaker (the male end of the lead). The male socket on the speaker is an output to another speaker.

[Chris]

Many thanks for the help - unless anyone has any other ideas, I'll order some now from ebay. I guess after spending £1,600 on speakers, I might as well try and get the rest of it right.

[Chris]

Looking through ebay as suggested and finding quite a few variations. Do I need balanced? Does it matter if they're mic cables? and lastly, bearing in mind it's to the 712a speakers, would the ones on the link below be okay please?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/5m-Neutrik-Van-damme-XLR-mic-cable-NC3MXX-B-NC3FXX-B-/130517679326?pt=UK_Consumer_Professional_RL&hash=item1e6375bcde

[DJ Jules]

Looking through ebay as suggested and finding quite a few variations. Do I need balanced? Does it matter if they're mic cables? and lastly, bearing in mind it's to the 712a speakers, would the ones on the link below be okay please?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/5m-Neutrik-Van-damme-XLR-mic-cable-NC3MXX-B-NC3FXX-B-/130517679326?pt=UK_Consumer_Professional_RL&hash=item1e6375bcde

Yup, they'll do the job. Buy 'em :D I might suggest going for 10m cables rather than 5m.

Julian

[Chris]

Thanks all - both sets of leads ordered.