xlr cables for speakers ?

Posted: Fri Jun 06, 2008 7:54 pm

Can I go from quarter inch to xlr than back to quarter inch for a speaker cable run ? I need to run a speaker about 500 feet from where the sound board is, and I would rather string a bunch of my mic cords together than buy speaker cords to reach. This is a once a year event that I supply the pa for ( soap box derby) and I would like to have a speaker at the top of the hill. Sound board will be at the finish line.

Posted: Fri Jun 06, 2008 10:49 pm

No, an XLR is too small a gauge for the power that would run through it - especially at that distance.

Posted: Fri Jun 06, 2008 10:50 pm

Now that I've actually read your post rather than skim it, how did you do it when you supplied the PA last year?

Posted: Sat Jun 07, 2008 12:13 am

I use xlr for speakers
but
NOT with mic cable
I use 10 amp power cable or thicker

there is no standard for the wiring of speaker xlr
but
I tend to use solid pin Amphenol with female on both ends
http://www.amphenol.com.au/
pin 2 hot
and either
1 or 3 for cold
but
long ago pin 3 was used for hot
(and I still have some gear wired that way)
Shocked

it's a long story
and many combinations could make a short
bose901's had two pins shared to ground/cold
and this could often be problems when gear came from different hirers

for very long distance 70 or 100volt line is a good way to go

you must double check everything

Posted: Sat Jun 07, 2008 9:05 am

Could be worse...you might want to put a speaker on rails, running down the hill as they go.

Posted: Sat Jun 07, 2008 12:15 pm

Thank you for the replies. We normally run the speakers as far as we can (about one third of the way up the hill) with speaker cord and face them towards the top. I just wanted to put one up at the top so when we announce the racers and the winners, it would be a little easier to hear us.

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