XLR cables

[berry120]

Apologies if this question has been covered elsewhere, I've had a quick look around and not found it though...

The title says it all really. And if it's a case of buying the bits and soldering together, where would the best place to get the bits be? Studiospares seems to do them at a decent price, is there anywhere else anyone recommends?

[bruce]

It all depends how you cost your time.

 

At work, I'd buy them pre-made. At home, I get the soldering iron out.

[paulears]

If you want good quality, relable and long lasting ones, then buy the bits, as Bruce says - your time might be or might not be cost effective. However, if you just want cheapness, then copy Neutriks, made in China are amazingly cheap, compared to buying the real thing.

[berry120]

I'm fine with spending as much time as I need putting them together :D Just gives me a bit of extra practice soldering!

 

EDIT: As far as cheapness is concerned, something that's nice, long lasting and reliable would be a definite plus if it could be achieved without spending the earth, I'm not just out to get the absolute cheapest thing I can.

[Rob_Beech]

As Bruce says it depends on a few things.

 

To start with you'll get a better price if you buy 1000 connectors, or 1000 metres of cable, this is fine if you've alot to make or you're a fair sized company. If you are only buying a few, it can sometimes work out more expensive (or certainly have little difference) in price between buying the bits and making them, and buying them ready made. That's before you work out the cost of making them (time + other bits).

 

I make all my own, because I buy the components in bulk and I'm relatively handy with the soldering iron.

 

 

Rob

[mi-ul]

Studiospares seems to do them at a decent price, is there anywhere else anyone recommends?

 

I must admit to being a fan of the cheap studiospares connectors - they seem to be fairly sturdy (for light use at least) and easier than most to solder up. The blue jacks do seem to have a habit of unscrewing themselves though

[mervaka]

I use the "cordial" leads on thomann. to be specific, this one

[cliveybaby]

Right

 

Neutrik Plugs rock. all cheap copies are crap end of story

dont care what you say they are crap

 

even if somebody says "ive had a few over the years and never had a problem"

I dont care the are crap

 

I make my own all of the time, I can solder an XLR male or female including striping

in 1min 40 sec and the soldering is s**t hot been doing it since I was 14 im 32 now

 

I quote :

 

price of connectors + price of cable + 15 mins of my time. per lead

 

job done

 

cheap crap is only good just incase shoe laces fail

 

Cliveybaby

 

A concurrent post has been automatically merged from this point on.

 

also why have good kit with crap plugs

 

 

 

Story of the many dj's and redcoats and performing arts students I meet all of the time

 

 

cheap is good only when you know when to be

 

 

 

Cliveybaby

[Steve1812]

In response to the original question, I use Rapid Electronics.

 

http://www.rapidonline.com/

 

 

Steve1812

 

Has a reasonably low break point for free p&p - essential for buying in a school!

[Bobbsy]

If "cheap" is the only criteria, then it's hard to beat pre-made cables. Unless you're buying large quantities, it's hard to compete on price for the cable and connectors.

 

That said, you'll likely be unhappy with the cheapie pre-made cables you can buy. The connectors won't last well, the soldering job may or may not be adequate and the cable itself is likely going to be difficult to coil and prone to kinking.

 

 

For better quality cables, the price comparison gets a lot closer, depending (as bruce says) on whether or not you charge for your own time. Personally, I actually enjoy making up XLR cables and take the view that, since I tend to do it in spare time, I don't need to bill myself! I find the whole process a bit therapeutic (sort of like my wife treats knitting) and quite enjoy setting up with the tools and parts, BBC Radio 4 on my computer and a coffee or pint (depending on time of day) beside me.

 

As for sources of parts, there are lots of them. You mention Studiospares but there's also CPC/Farnell, Canford and RS to name but three. I always stick to Neutrik connectors but the choice of cable can be a pit personal....I tend to pay a bit extra for either Canford HST or Mogami Starquad because I like the handling characteristics, but that's just my choice.

 

Bob