Re: Speaker Connections

[Kim Wall <kim@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Keith Doxey wrote:

> Different genders are used for input and output so unless you are
really
> stupid and connect the output of an amp to the input of an amp you are
> unlikely to cause any damage. You could plug a mic directly into a
speaker
> but it wouldnt do any damage, neither would it be able to drive the
speaker!

I was thinking more along the lines of using mic cable (loads of shield,
not much conductor) for speaker connections (as opposed to the
traditional decent bit of mains cable), rather than wiring them the
wrong way round.  Stupidity happens, but lazyness moreso.

There's a rant about the trend towards DMX512 on 3-pin XLR that fits in
here too - leads to mic cable getting used instead of twisted-pair data
cable.  Usually works fine, until it doesn't.


> The best thing about XLR is that the lead (whether a signal lead or a
> speaker lead) always has male on one end and female on the other which
means
> that you can just plug several leads together when they arent long
enough.

Indeed.  And they stay put.  A rare example of genuinely good design.
Also means you can coil a load of mic cables onto a single drum for
storage, instead of leaving them to the mercy of people who don't know
how (or can't be bothered) to coil cable properly.


kim.