What is the difference between speakon and xlr

Due to the design and contact area of Speakon connectors, they can handle high levels of current. Speakon connectors are also designed to accommodate cables with large diameter sizes. These types of cables are high gauge cables and are capable of carrying large amounts of currents. That is why Speakon cables can drive high voltage audio equipment like loudspeakers. Most XLR cables are made from relatively thin cables.

These cables cannot conduct large amounts of currents like the high gauge cables used in Speakon cables. This makes Speakon cables better conductors of current than XLR. Speakon cables are very simple and do not require expert knowledge in order to build or fix one.

This makes servicing Speakon cables very easy to do. You can even build a new Speakon cable with just a screwdriver and a plier within a few minutes. Speakon connectors are built with screw terminals inside the connector housing. Whenever the wires become unseated from the terminals, you can easily fix them back using a screwdriver.

However, when an XLR cable is faulty, it is difficult to repair it on the spot. This is because you will need a soldering kit in order to fix it.

If you are not used to soldering, this task might end up being time-consuming. Speakon connectors are very durable. Especially original Speakon plugs manufactured by Neutrik. Most Speakon cables are very durable and have flexible construction. This ensures that Speakon stands up to frequent use as well as bending and wrapping during storage and transportation. Speakon connectors are also designed to have a strain-relief collar which prevents excessive flexing of wiring near the connectors.

Balanced audio signals and cables are usually preferred to unbalanced ones because balanced cables can filter out interference. This is because these cables have positive and negative wires which carry audio signals in opposite polarities. XLR cables are designed primarily to transmit balanced mono signals.

This means they have dual polarity when it comes to signal transmission. Due to this, XLR cables are able to carry mono audio signals without any sound interference such as noise and hum.

On the other hand, Speakon cables are unbalanced cables. This is a great advantage of the SpeakOn cable set-up. Well, the main reason why most people switch to SpeakOn cables and connectors is because of safety and reliability, but what about the sound? As a matter of fact, most professionals in the industry have it in the rider of the artist AKA sound requirements to perform to have all-SpeakOn connections in the backline.

Finally, every SpeakOn connector cleans itself after use so you can forget about audio degradation as a product of continuous use, grime, oxidation, and such. Everything standing between the audio source and the connector means sound quality loss.

For brands, we recommend you go for the original: Neutrik. These are the models that revolutionized the market with their appearance.

First, a 2-pole connector was all there was and now you can get the NL8-FC, for example, that features 8 poles. These SpeakOn cables all feature a plastic robust housing as well as the traditional chuck type cable-clamp that works perfectly with the twist and lock idea. All connectors are touch-proof and self-cleaning for extended life. XLR come in 4 to 6 pin versions. Not so common, and maybe more costly. Unless they aren't because the dealer is tired of dusting them. There's also the Alcatel EP connectors; they're uncommon, but you might find a box of them used at some pro sound dealer.

They're impressively supersized XLR connectors with plenty of pins. The receptacles fit the same cutouts as the round Speakon receptacles. Finally, the venerable "Jones" plugs, which can be had with plenty of pins and handle reasonable currents. Speakon's advantage lies mostly in its durability - the genuine Neutrik plugs are close to indestructable.

This is a good feature on stuff that gets bashed around a bit. Also, the locking actually works, which is handy when the stage gets swarmed by 12 year old metal fans. So far as making your own cables go, the advantage of Speakon is that the strain relief is built for the high gauge cable, whereas XLR is built for mic cables.

For home audio, though, it's probably overkill, unless you have a particularly brutal living room. Originally Posted by TheSeekerr. Unfortunately the 4 to 6 pin versions have much smaller pins and less current carrying capacity. I sometimes use these connectors for remote DC power supplies but only low current ones. BB code is On. Frequently Asked Questions. Firmware Download. Become a Dealer. Sing to the Lord with the harp and the voice of the psalm. Carvin Corp.

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