I looked at both of my cables again. Neither are making a deliberate electrical connection to the 'XLR' shell (there is no specific connection point). Both use a shielded RJ45 within the shell, and both cables have continuity through the shielding of the RJ45. That my newer one showed shell continuity is just luck that the RJ45 shield makes a better connection to the Yongshen shell than my older "pro" cable does in its Neutrik shell. So in my mind this is resolved for the Behringer requirement - shielded cable, shielded RJ45 plugs. Both of the Thomann cables linked above satisfy this requirement. If the actual EtherCon shell has shield continuity is luck on the snuggness of the RJ45 in the shell or a newer cable happening to have less oxidation on those surfaces. That the Neutrik connector has no connection point to the shell for any braid/shield says to me that what I see on these two cables is as good as it gets. Bob is that any help? Kevin Kevin - I suspect that what you say is the reality. But this idea that there must be continuity between the ethercon shells seems widely to be accepted as 'official' for the X32 series. I can't find any Behringer documentation that says more than 'shielded Cat-5e, ethercon terminated' Just for information, the cables I have just ordered from Amazon (Designacable) use Van Damme Tourcat and Neutrik Ethercon shells, and they are very reasonably priced. There is, as you observe, no designed in connection between the shell and the shield, but it measures continuity well under an ohm end-end