XLR Interconnects: Is there a difference?

[muslhead]

Wow...

View attachment 36317

Bought the cup and handle break put at 30. way too far away from its 200dma to risk an entry here unless we see further sideways consolidation

 

[Labjr]

To a degree that depends on quantity and how you buy/stock your materials for such.....but since I do look to the future I tend to buy in sufficient quantities to definitely save money on making my own. Plus they can be exactly as long as you want them to be....

IMO the quality of the connectors is important. I don't want issues with mechanical failures or poor quality metals etc. You don't what you're getting with house brand generic stuff.

Neutrik XLR plugs are $2.50-$4.00 depending on color and Gold/Silver plated contacts. Amphenol makes quality connectors too. Mogami or Canare wire is anywhere from 60 cents to $2.00 per foot. Markertek has free shipping with $25 order. Watch a video on soldering and you can make far better cables than the generic stuff.

 

[Chrispy]

IMO the quality of the connectors is important. I don't want issues with mechanical failures or poor quality metals etc. You don't what you're getting with house brand generic stuff.

Neutrik XLR plugs are $2.50-$4.00 depending on color and Gold/Silver plated contacts. Amphenol makes quality connectors too. Mogami or Canare wire is anywhere from 60 cents to $2.00 per foot. Markertek has free shipping with $25 order. Watch a video on soldering and you can make far better cables than the generic stuff.

Don't disagree but of course depends on your construction skill to an extent, or desire for a particular aesthetic compared to buying something pre-made (that's of course reasonable, not the silly audiophool shite).

 

[Wayne A. Pflughaupt]

Right, but in what way should a wire for data be different than one for audio?

Based on what I see in the Amazon picture, it’s the same – nothing’s changed.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

 

[Blumlein 88]

Take a pass on the Monoprice XLRs – they use no-name connectors that don’t hold up. Here’s why:
http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/threads/what-brand-of-xlr-cables.96212/#post-1101917

This fellow confirms that Monoprice XLRs are junk too.
http://www.avsforum.com/forum/113-s...-sw-xlr-output-sw-rca-input.html#post51295009

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

You need to make a distinction between the Premier Monoprice cables and the cheapest version.

The Premiers are much better. They still don't have Neutrik or Amphenol connectors. But I've got a dozen sets and never had problems with them. I've used most of them for remote recording where they get dragged around, rolled out and up and used quite a bit. I now prefer thinner more supple cables for live recording. But for home use where there isn't much movement and such the Premier Monoprice XLRs are a good value.

The Monoprice Monolith XLR also appears to be better construction, but I've not used them personally. They are getting up into the price range you can get something with Amphenol connectors and Mogami wire.

 

[jhaider]

You need to make a distinction between the Premier Monoprice cables and the cheapest version.

The Premiers are much better. They still don't have Neutrik or Amphenol connectors. But I've got a dozen sets and never had problems with them. I've used most of them for remote recording where they get dragged around, rolled out and up and used quite a bit. I now prefer thinner more supple cables for live recording. But for home use where there isn't much movement and such the Premier Monoprice XLRs are a good value.

The Monoprice Monolith XLR also appears to be better construction, but I've not used them personally. They are getting up into the price range you can get something with Amphenol connectors and Mogami wire.

Their AES/EBU cables are serviceable as well, and well priced. The connectors are much better than the ones on their "audio" XLR cables, including the Premier ones. I have never used the Monolith ones, but also have no cause to do so. Also, 16AWG is gratuitous for line-level cables. I'd rather have thin and flexible.

 

[Blumlein 88]

Their AES/EBU cables are serviceable as well, and well priced. The connectors are much better than the ones on their "audio" XLR cables, including the Premier ones. I have never used the Monolith ones, but also have no cause to do so. Also, 16AWG is gratuitous for line-level cables. I'd rather have thin and flexible.

Yes, it actually appears they no longer make the very cheap XLR with the silver ends that were problematic. Those that looked the same as Hosa uses. I've known people with the Hosa XLR's and the ends stop making reliable connection after as few as 5 or 6 uses.

 

[MediumRare]

Take a pass on the Monoprice XLRs – they use no-name connectors that don’t hold up. Here’s why:
http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/threads/what-brand-of-xlr-cables.96212/#post-1101917

This fellow confirms that Monoprice XLRs are junk too.
http://www.avsforum.com/forum/113-s...-sw-xlr-output-sw-rca-input.html#post51295009

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

From the photo you posted in your link it's clear that is not the cable or connector I recommended: https://www.amazon.com/Monoprice-Premier-XLR-Male-Female/dp/B003L18XKE/

 

[aerochrome2]

Appreciate all the responses guys!

 

[LTig]

IMO the quality of the connectors is important. I don't want issues with mechanical failures or poor quality metals etc. You don't what you're getting with house brand generic stuff.

Neutrik XLR plugs are $2.50-$4.00 depending on color and Gold/Silver plated contacts. Amphenol makes quality connectors too. Mogami or Canare wire is anywhere from 60 cents to $2.00 per foot. Markertek has free shipping with $25 order. Watch a video on soldering and you can make far better cables than the generic stuff.

I agree but don't forget to include the price of a good soldering station.

 

[LTig]

To a degree that depends on quantity and how you buy/stock your materials for such.....but since I do look to the future I tend to buy in sufficient quantities to definitely save money on making my own. Plus they can be exactly as long as you want them to be....

... or have the color you prefer.

 

[Labjr]

I agree but don't forget to include the price of a good soldering station.

An inexpensive iron will do. Although a hobbyist may want something nicer for future use.

 

[Wayne A. Pflughaupt]

You need to make a distinction between the Premier Monoprice cables and the cheapest version.

The Premiers are much better. They still don't have Neutrik or Amphenol connectors. But I've got a dozen sets and never had problems with them. I've used most of them for remote recording where they get dragged around, rolled out and up and used quite a bit. I now prefer thinner more supple cables for live recording. But for home use where there isn't much movement and such the Premier Monoprice XLRs are a good value.

I was speaking of the Premiers. Glad you’re happy with yours. The female variety of that connector type significantly wallows around in the socket, which means they will eventually fail. By contrast, Nuetrik connectors will hardly move at all. If you have some other XLRs on hand, might do a comparison. I've been dealing with pro audio gear for over 30 years, and I've seen tons of mic cables with those connectors bite the dust.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

 

[Wayne A. Pflughaupt]

Their AES/EBU cables are serviceable as well, and well priced. The connectors are much better than the ones on their "audio" XLR cables, including the Premier ones.

Yes, those do appear to be a big improvement over the Premiers.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

 

[Wayne A. Pflughaupt]

From the photo you posted in your link it's clear that is not the cable or connector I recommended: https://www.amazon.com/Monoprice-Premier-XLR-Male-Female/dp/B003L18XKE/

If you had read through the link you’d know I was speaking of the connector type - which is the same type the Mono Premiers use.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

 

[DonH56]

I just got a few Cable Matters XLRs from Amazon, will have to see how they do. I wanted something this weekend and my usual supplier couldn't ship that fast, and these are going to get plugged in and sit so should be good enough.

My limited experience with Amazon Basics, Monoprice, and Hosa XLR cables has poor so I decided to try these guys.

 

[Blumlein 88]

Here are some inexpensive xlr's I've seen mentioned elsewhere. They have Neutrik connectors on them. Kopul

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/867219-REG/Kopul_m3010_Premium_Performance_3000_Series.html

They are almost as inexpensive as things like the Monoprice Premier and DMX cable. You don't have to second guess the connectors.

 

[Blumlein 88]

If you had read through the link you’d know I was speaking of the connector type - which is the same type the Mono Premiers use.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

Even though of the same design I wonder if they are better made or better tolerance in the shape of the connector with the Premier's?

I've run across plenty with the same tabbed design and they'll literally fail in a half dozen uses. Those are no name connectors with Hosa wire or simply no name ones. I've used the Premiers a bunch and never had a failure. I would have to imagine in enough time and use they are inferior, but they aren't so bad for mostly fixed home use and such a good price. Still as I posted above, for similar money you can get wire now with the lower end Neutrik connectors on them.

 

[xaxxon]

I've got quite a few around here and haven't had anything to complain about.

Blue Jean Cables does make a nice cable for sure.

Many years later, but BJC uses canare l-4e6s and so do at least some of the WBC cables. And neutrik connectors (though maybe slightly nicer neutrik line on the BJC).

But WBC is about 50% the price of BJC.